Addressing emerging human trafficking trends and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic

Around the globe, the COVID-19 pandemic has created new risks and challenges to victims and survivors of trafficking. It has also worsened the vulnerabilities of at-risk groups, especially women and children, to trafficking in human beings.

This publication is aimed at providing lawmakers, civil society organizations, and the private sector with effective guidance to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings. Moreover, the report promotes a human rights–, gender-, and age-sensitive, trauma-informed, and victim-centred approach now and after the pandemic.

The report is based on data collected through a global survey of survivors of trafficking and frontline organizations from more than 100 countries, as well as in consultation with a panel of experts.

The report analyses the emerging COVID-19 human trafficking trends and consequences. At its core, the publication offers concrete policy recommendations to address these trends and impacts in the short to long term, in a manner consistent with international standards, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe commitments, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.