Countering Trafficking in Persons: Prevention and Protection

Human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry worldwide, after drug trafficking. More than 25 million people are trapped in the commercial sex industry or other involuntary labor as a result of force, fraud, or coercion. Trafficking in persons (TIP) affects the most vulnerable in our societies. Seventy percent of identified victims are women and girls, and many other marginalized groups -- Indigenous Peoples; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) people; migrant workers; refugees and internally displaced persons; persons with disabilities; and religious and ethnic minorities -- are also highly susceptible to this human rights abuse. TIP undermines the rule of law, corrupts global commerce, fosters gender inequality, impedes child protection, and threatens global security. 

USAID efforts to counter TIP (C-TIP) follow a “4P” approach: Prevention of trafficking, Protection of victims and survivors, Prosecution of traffickers, and Partnerships for a strengthened response. Research is a crucial component of USAID’s efforts to combat TIP. 

This edition of the DRG Learning Digest highlights several recent studies commissioned or implemented by USAID regarding prevention and protection: 

• Prevention/Protection: Big data reveals TIP drivers and opportunities for targeted interventions
• Prevention: Research underscores complexity of TIP and challenges of insecure environments
• Protection: Community-based trauma healing (CBTH) services can assist migrants and victims of trafficking