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Abstract Background Research in recent years has increasingly highlighted the relationship between exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) and poor mental health outcomes. Human trafficking survivors often report exposure to many traumatic and PMIEs and given the complexities of trafficking exploitation, survivors may be especially vulnerable to moral injury. Despite this, no research has investigated experiences of PMIEs and moral injury in human trafficking survivors. The objective was to explore survivors’ experiences of PMIEs, the impact of PMIEs on wellbeing and functioning and the factors that may influence outcomes following PMIEs. Method Participants were seven human trafficking survivors from diverse backgrounds who had settled in the UK. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted via telephone. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Human trafficking survivors were found to experience multiple PMIEs, including transgressive acts committed by others and betrayal by trusted loved ones or those in positions of authority. Experiencing PMIEs contributed towards considerable psychological distress, including intense feelings of shame, anger and worthlessness, and negatively impacted survivors daily functioning. Formal support, especially practical help (e.g. warm clothing) and social support groups, were experienced as particularly beneficial. Conclusions This study provides some of the first evidence that human trafficking survivors may be vulnerable to moral injury and indicates the impact that exposure to PMIEs can have on functioning. Future work is needed to ensure that statutory organisations consider the potential for causing moral injury when interacting with human trafficking survivors and clinical care teams are equipped to provide tailored guidance and support.

Anti-trafficking policy discourses and funding trajectories in the UK are developing and expanding in a fractured way. This paper demonstrates that current policies and funding allocations primarily focus on supporting specific ‘victims’ and targeting indistinct ‘criminals’, rather than addressing the broader structural issues underlying human trafficking. This focus perpetuates ignorance of harm done at other scales. Supporting migrants who meet a narrow definition of ‘victims’ effaces how government-funded projects and agencies abuse migrants and exacerbate their vulnerability to exploitation. Anti-trafficking funding from the UK’s Official Development Assistance addresses both the individual and structural scales. However, structural problems are often framed as external, neglecting the impacts of UK policies that increase the vulnerability of migrants and low-paid or casualised workers. We also demonstrate that the UK government’s anti-trafficking discourse and funding are increasingly fractured along spatial lines, with a limited emphasis on the rights of exploited individuals outside the UK coinciding with attacks on the rights of migrants inside. Instead of narrow, depoliticised anti-trafficking discourses, it is vital to critique government policies that cause structural harm and amplify migrants’ vulnerability to exploitation. This could involve defunding certain government activities that increase vulnerabilities rather than merely expanding individual-level funding.

Human urine and its detection are of interest in forensic studies in numerous contexts. Both crystalline urea and 1.0 M solutions of urea, as synthetic analog endmember components of human urine, were investigated as a proof-of-concept study to determine if detailed lab spectroscopy would be viable. Urea was reliably detected on Ottawa sand at concentrations of approximately 3.2% in dried experiments. Urea was detectable after 1 week of solution evaporation under lab conditions, at 9.65 wt.% 1 M solution. This investigation successfully establishes urea as a material of interest for reflective spectroscopy and hyperspectral remote sensing/image spectroscopy on a wide range of spatial scales, from specific centimeter-scale areas in a crime scene to searching large outdoor regions > 1 km2. In addition, this investigation is relevant to improving the monitoring of human trafficking, status and condition of refugee camps, and monitoring sewage.

Objective. The objective was to analyze the impact of institutional practices on the physical and mental health of women victims of human trafficking and prostitution, as well as to highlight the main risk factors for them. Material and methods. By using several databases, the number of studies included in this metaanalysis was 25. Scientific articles, doctoral theses, dissertations, presentations at conferences, book chapters, or reports were taken into account. There were longitudinal or cross-sectional studies. The meta-analysis totaled 455,406 subjects, the heterogeneity being a significant one (Q = 5062,288, df = 24, p = 0.000), and we increase the average effect, 38% of the variance of the results being due to the studied variables (95%: 1.08 % – 0.31%). Results. The hostile attitude of the authorities towards sex workers and the refusal to offer protection were identified as the most widespread consequences of institutional practices. Other consequences that arise as a result of the direct interaction of sex workers with the authorities are risky behaviors such as drug use, violent sexual acts, or discontinuation of drug treatment. The key risk factors for women in this category are psychological difficulties, gender and economic inequalities and an inadequate sexual history. Conclusions. There is a continuous interaction between the legislative model, institutional practices, and the physical and mental health of sex workers. Awareness and understanding of the problems that these women face when they practice prostitution would facilitate the improvement of the management capacity of this phenomenon.

Indramayu district is one of the migrant enclaves in West Java province, which continuously faces an increased number of human trafficking cases year by year. The modus and means of human trafficking victims recruitment were used to target subdistrict areas people by person to person, now shifted to the optimization of the internet. The traffickers attempt to lure victims through social media by posting job vacancy advertisements which offer a high salary. Unfortunately, society lacks information or knowledge about differentiating a legitimate job offer from a human trafficking lure. In addition, society also lacks information on the procedures and the required documents to submit a police report on a possible human trafficking case. The community service titled “Identify then Report” aims to introduce and disseminate various modus and means of human trafficking practice, to educate on how to identify human trafficking modus in social media and to inform the procedure and required documents to submit a police report on a possible human trafficking case. The community service was held in one of the migrant enclaves in Indramayu district, Kenanga town, located in the headquarters office of the Indonesian Migrant Family Organization (KAMI) and attended by 34 participants. The community service speakers delivered materials regarding the various modus and means of human trafficking recruitment and socialized how to identify human trafficking recruitment modus on social media. In addition, the speakers explained the procedures and required documents for submitting a police report on a possible human trafficking case to the participants.

Starting with the years 1998-1999, Romania began to face a social phenomenon with deep criminal connotations – human trafficking. The Romanian authorities reacted, and in 2001 they adopted a law designed to define the phenomenon, punish the culprits, and create the institutional card designed to assist victims of human trafficking. Law 678 of 2001 is an important document from the perspective of combating and preventing the phenomenon of human trafficking. After almost a quarter of a century, we are far from having eradicated this phenomenon. In a continuous change, human trafficking continues to affect both persons from the vulnerable groups as well as those who do not belong to vulnerable categories. It is a phenomenon that does not take into account ethnic social affiliation, gender identity, or age of individuals. Due to its emotional consequences, health and well-being, respect for human rights, human trafficking represents one of the most serious phenomena of organised crime.

Abstract Background Human trafficking is a human rights violation and urgent public health challenge. It involves the exploitation of a person by means of force, intimidation or deceit and causes severe health risks. Though it occurs all over the world, its true extent is still unknown. Refugees are especially vulnerable to human trafficking due to language barriers and difficult living conditions. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and design a screening tool to identify survivors of all forms of human trafficking among refugees in a German state registration and reception centre. Methods In cooperation with the local authorities and the Ministry of Justice and for Migration Baden-Württemberg, we interviewed newly arrived refugees at an initial reception centre in Southern Germany to assess the prevalence of human trafficking. We used both a combination of the Adult Human Trafficking Screening Tool and a publication by Mumma et al. to assess all forms of human trafficking. Results In total, 13 of the 176 refugees had experienced trafficking, which corresponded to a prevalence of 7.3% (95%-CI = [3.5%, 11.3%]). Across all languages the questionnaire had a sensitivity of 76.9% and a specificity of 84.0% at a recommended cut-off of six positive responses. The recommended cut-off differed slightly for the Arabic, Farsi, Turkish, and English version. In an exploratory descriptive analysis on subregions, refugees from West Africa had a substantially higher prevalence (33.3%, 8 out of 24) for human trafficking within our sample, especially women. However, when we excluded this region from our analysis, we found no significant gender difference for the rest of the sample. Conclusions The high prevalence of trafficking in most regions, regardless of gender, suggests that more effort is needed to identify and protect all trafficked persons. The designed screening tool seems to be a promising tool to detect an especially vulnerable group of refugees and provides assistance in identifying survivors of human trafficking.

Graph structures are an essential tool for solving combinatorial problems in computer science and computational intelligence. With an emphasis on signed graphs, picture-fuzzy graphs, and graphs with colored or labeled edges, this study explores the properties of picture-fuzzy graph topologies. Within these frameworks, it presents key ideas such as the lexicographic-max product, vertex degree, and total degree. The use of picture-fuzzy graphs' lexicographic-max product to tackle intricate problems like human trafficking is a key component of this study. The study illustrates how this strategy can improve decision-making processes in such crucial areas by utilizing the special qualities of picture-fuzzy graphs. The study is supported by informative numerical examples that show how useful these ideas are in real-world situations. In addition, the study offers a thorough algorithmic foundation for applying the lexicographic-max product in practical situations, especially those involving human trafficking. The goal of this framework is to provide a workable approach for applying picture-fuzzy graph structures to enhance decision-making and tackle important societal issues.

Abstract The article explores the (de)mobilization of the “trafficking victim” identity among Brazilian sex workers and the benefits that the counter-trafficking apparatus offers to Brazilian migrant women exploited in the sex market. In doing so, it considers their experience as much in their country of origin, Brazil, as in Portugal. Drawing on findings from ethnographic research, the article highlights the occasional and unstable mobilization of the “victim” label as a form of defense against the counter-trafficking apparatus, rather than as an instrument of recognition of rights that can substantially benefit Brazilian migrant women in the sex market.

An overview of emerging trends on trafficking of human beings in Italy shows not only an extremely heterogeneous phenomenon but also a complex overlapping of experiences and need of protection of every single victim. In the context of mixed migration flows, persons reaching Italy through the Central Mediterranean and the Balkan routes have often experienced or are at risk of trafficking, and they also apply for international protection upon arrival. Legal categories such as “victims,” “asylum seekers,” and “refugees” are increasingly interconnected and not exhaustive in describing individual experiences and multifaceted vulnerabilities. Against this background, ensuring early identification and assistance for victims of trafficking among asylum seekers is extremely relevant. In Italy, this has led to the development of good practices aimed at implementing the coordination between the asylum and the anti-trafficking systems. In particular, specific Guidelines for Asylum authorities have been adopted to preliminarily identify potential victims of trafficking within the asylum procedure and enable their effective access to protection measures. To comply with specific provisions of the European Trafficking Directive and its transposition into the Italian legal framework, the Guidelines have created a referral mechanism among the asylum authorities and the anti-trafficking system that is unique in the European context. For this reason, the present contribution aims at describing this good practice, its implementation and effects—also at the juridical level—and its limits. Indeed, after the adoption of the instrument, a higher recognition rate of international protection for victims of trafficking has been registered in Italy, both at the administrative and judicial levels; asylum seekers and refugees have also increased their access to the specific protection program for trafficking survivors. In general, the system has strengthened its capacity to fulfill the legal obligation of identifying victims through a multi-agency approach. On the other hand, the ability to conduct screening and preliminary identification of victims of trafficking among asylum seekers is still limited to the “victim model” in terms of gender (women) and form of exploitation (sexual), and to certain stages of the asylum procedure (the first instance before the asylum authorities). With reference to this latter, a comprehensive protection response at the borders is missing despite the political debate on sea and land arrivals to Italy and the recent introduction of border procedures for the assessment of asylum applications. Given the geographical and political centrality of the south-Mediterranean situation in the current migration agenda, the goal of this paper is to analyze the Italian experience on referral mechanisms among trafficking and asylum as an experience that would help to shape future European prospects. The ongoing evolution of mixed migration flows—with particular reference to secondary movement across European countries—and the revised European Directive on trafficking in persons impose the promotion of a reflection on referral mechanisms with a transnational perspective enabling effective protection and the meeting of specific human rights.

This article examines the regulatory framework related to human trafficking in Hong Kong and identifies its deficiencies as the lack of an accepted internationally compliant definition of trafficking and the absence of any specific criminal offence of trafficking as a result. The article compares the approach taken in Hong Kong to efforts undertaken in Europe by the Council of Europe, the UK, and the European Union and identifies several lessons from the European experience that could help rectify failures observed in Hong Kong. In particular, effective combatting of human trafficking requires not only a definition of the offence that recognises the essential elements—an “act,” a “means,” and a “purpose” of exploitation—but also the establishment of sufficient state institutions and agencies dedicated to identifying and protecting trafficking victims. Without the detection of trafficking victims, criminals engaged in the act of trafficking perceive their chances of being caught and prosecuted as low and operate with impunity. This necessitates the adoption of a consistent and readily identifiable criminal offence of “trafficking” aligned with the approach taken by the Palermo Protocol, just as the EU and UK have done.

This research discusses one of the most important crimes against humanity, where national and international statistics and reports revealed that the bad living conditions or bad troubled situations have forced thousands of women, children and men in their countries to be susceptible to the trafficking and exploitation. The study has been divided into two main sections. The first section presents concept of the trafficking in persons in international charters and conventions, reasons, seriousness and elements of the crime in general. The second section studies the Saudi lawmaker's addressing the crime in terms of definition, forms, prescribed penalty and reasons for augmentation of penalty. The study has concluded to a set of results and recommendations, the most important of which is that the Saudi lawmaker adopted position of the international conventions in defining crime and determining its forms. Moreover, the Kingdom has also made great strides in combating this type of crime at both international and local levels. The study recommended the need to impose harsh penalties on employers, who practice patterns of forced slavery to their workers, as well as the need to intensify efforts in order to take adequate measures to prevent smuggling the illegal labor.

Although organised criminal networks and non-state armed groups (NSAGs) have historically exploited conflict situations to commit various crimes, the extent of human trafficking by these entities in the Sahel has barely been interrogated in academic literature. In principle, while states have an obligation to criminalise trafficking in persons, problems arise where the state has lost parts of its territory to NSAGs or is facing ongoing conflicts with such groups. Boko Haram, for instance, controlled a large swath of territory in Northeast Nigeria from 2009 to 2015, with evidence of human trafficking. Therefore, this paper examines two specific aspects of human trafficking in the Sahel conflicts: trafficking by organised criminals and trafficking by NSAGs, especially terrorist organisations. It argues that while domestic laws may be useful in combating trafficking linked to organised criminal networks, the traditional state-centric approach to human rights protection makes human trafficking governance more complicated where NSAGs are involved, especially where they exercise territorial control. The paper unpacks these complexities and highlights the deficits in existing international law treaties. It argues that customary international law could provide a solution to the anti-trafficking governance challenge in the Sahel and makes a case for the adoption of an anti-trafficking Deed of Commitment within the Geneva Call mechanism.

Drawing on multi-method research, this article demonstrates that the risks of large-scale trafficking due to the war in Ukraine were mitigated by granting Ukrainians more extensive rights than typically afforded to refugees. This shows the advantages of rights-based approaches to migration and labour exploitation. We draw on Bakhtin’s and Žižek’s work on the carnivalesque to argue that mainstream anti-trafficking initiatives—which are depoliticised and able to win support and funding from across the political spectrum—often serve merely as theatrical and distracting sideshows diverting attention from more impactful activities and the normalised exploitation within capitalism. However, avoiding trafficking is insufficient if Ukrainian citizens and residents still endure exploitative conditions. A weakened legal framework for workers’ rights within Ukraine alongside inadequate labour protections across Europe have facilitated such exploitation. In contrast to the depoliticised stance of the anti-trafficking industry, this article concludes that more explicitly political actions supporting migrants’ rights, workers’ rights, and access to welfare and public services will not only more effectively challenge trafficking but also prevent other exploitation of migrants.

In this article, we discuss the experience of Victoria, a trans woman who was trafficked in the context of the criminal war in Mexico. Drawing on anthropological and feminist perspectives that privilege the dialogue of knowledge, Victoria’s experience allows us to problematise two central elements of the phenomenon of human trafficking in Mexico: first, the relationship between organised crime groups and human trafficking, and its effects on daily life in local contexts in Mexico, specifically in the experience of a trans woman. And second, the functioning of the Mexican anti-trafficking apparatus which, by focusing on the rescue of victims of sexual exploitation in places where independent sex work occurs, overlooks the identification of other forms of trafficking, such as trafficking for labour exploitation and servitude, both experienced by Victoria at the hands of organised crime groups.

Janice Du Mont,1,2 Frances Montemurro,1 Rhonelle Bruder,1,2 C Emma Kelly,1 Frances Recknor,1 Robin Mason1,2 1Women’s College Research Institute, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5S 1B2, Canada; 2Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, CanadaCorrespondence: Janice Du Mont, Women’s College Research Institute, Women’s College Hospital, 76 Grenville St, Toronto, ON, M5S 1B2, Canada, Email janice.dumont@wchospital.caAbstract: Health care providers are highly likely to encounter persons who have been domestically sex trafficked and, therefore, possess valuable insights that could be useful in understanding and improving existing services and supports. In-depth interviews were conducted with 31 health care providers residing and working in Canada’s largest province, Ontario. Results were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s analytical framework. Across providers, a key theme was identified: “Facilitators to improve care”, which was comprised of two sub-themes, “Address needs in service provision” and “Center unique needs of survivors”. From these results, eight wide-ranging recommendations to improve services and supports were developed (eg, Jointly mobilize an intersectoral, collaborative, and coordinated approach to sex trafficking service provision; Employ a survivor-driven approach to designing and delivering sex trafficking services). These recommendations hold the potential to enhance services in Canada and beyond by reducing barriers to access and care, facilitating disclosure, aiding in recovery, and empowering those who have been domestically sex trafficked.Keywords: domestic, human trafficking, health care, recommendations, sex trafficking, social services

Introduction: The involvement of members of the army of the Republic of Indonesia and The Police of the Republic of Indonesia became a special obstacle in the handling of human trafficking cases. The difficulties are due to the existence of special regulations governing the courts applicable to members of the Indonesian army who commit criminal acts. Purposes of the Research: The case may be dealt with in conjunction with a criminal offense of trafficking in persons, given that the offense has fulfilled the element of involvement (also, deelneming) or jointly (mede dader) between a civilian and a person with military status in the criminal offense of trafficking. Methods of the Research: The research used normative jurisprudence, focusing on primary legal material such as Act No. 21 of 2007 on Punishment of Trafficking in Persons, Law No. 31 of 1997 on Military Justice, and Law No. 2 of 2002 on the State Police of the Republic of Indonesia. The research was descriptive-analytical, interpreting the law according to its context and analyzing its results in a qualitative, descriptive manner. Secondary legal material included publications on human rights protection, particularly those relating to women and children. The fact approach was used to study human trafficking facts and provide critical analysis. Library documents, books, and journals were also analyzed. Data analysis involved document study techniques and qualitative analysis, with the results and author's analysis of relevant theories. Results of the Research: The article addresses the Indonesian Army and Police's involvement in human trafficking offenses, emphasizing the intricacies and problems of prosecuting such instances. The author believes that the judicial system must promote justice and openness in such circumstances. The Indonesian legal system recognizes both military and civilian jurisdiction over crimes committed by military personnel, but implementation gaps cause uncertainty and delays in judicial processes. Handling crimes involving several institutions necessitates close teamwork, particularly among the Indonesian army and police. The mechanism to facilitate collaborative processing of human trafficking cases is connectedness justice, which decides which court has the authority to punish members of the Indonesian army for human trafficking.

We discuss the issue of bringing human trafficking and forced prostitution within the purview of Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Rantsev v. Cyprus and Russia marked a turning point by classifying forced prostitution through human trafficking under Article 4. However, in the judgment in S.M. v. Croatia, the ECtHR further reinforced its view that human trafficking and forced prostitution constitute a violation of Article 4.

The program for placing Indonesian Migrant Workers abroad is one of the efforts to overcome the problem of unemployment. The government has enacted regulations regarding the placement of Indonesian migrant workers. However, there is still a non-procedural placement for Indonesian migrant workers, giving rise to new problems in handling it. This study aims to analyze the factors that encourage perpetrators to carry out the non-procedural placement of migrant workers and the application of legal sanctions for perpetrators. The research method uses a qualitative normative juridical approach, which looks at problems from the study of legal materials such as books or articles that discuss research themes as references for primary and secondary legal materials. The data analysis technique used was descriptive analysis. The results of this research show that the increase in people or individuals involved in non-procedural PMI placement practices is due to economic factors; namely, the perpetrators receive a relatively large commission or service fee from each person who is sent, the perpetrators have a consumerist lifestyle, the educational conditions and knowledge of the victim or victim’s family, and the victim’s economic limitations. Perpetrators of non-procedural PMI placement can be charged, apart from Law Number 18 of 2017 concerning PPMI, which can also be subject to Law Number 21 of 2007 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Trafficking in Persons (PTPPO), which is subject to legal sanctions of imprisonment or fines.

This study critically examines the framework governing human trafficking within the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), emphasizing its effectiveness in deterring and addressing this serious issue. Despite a growing number of trafficking incidents highlighted by the local press, this analysis contends that the HKSAR’s legal provisions are not entirely consistent with global norms, particularly the Palermo Protocol and the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. By juxtaposing the HKSAR’s legal strategies with the United Kingdom’s Modern Slavery Act, 2015 and Australia’s laws criminalizing human trafficking and slavery, which are contained within Divisions 270 and 271 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code Act 1995 (Criminal Code), notable legal shortcomings are identified, especially the inadequate coverage of non-sexual exploitation and the lack of corporate accountability in supply chains. The paper posits that while the existing legal structures in Hong Kong have certain strengths, their deficiencies, coupled with societal and criminal challenges such as organized crime and corruption, exacerbate the region’s trafficking problems. The analysis suggests that adopting reforms similar to those in the UK, including the potential introduction of a ‘failure to prevent’ trafficking offense for corporations, could significantly enhance the HKSAR’s efforts against human trafficking.

AbstractIn spite of the considerable efforts and initiatives since 2020 (Proclamation 1178/2020 was issued) in addressing the problem, the government of Ethiopia doesn’t fully comply with the minimum standards of Human Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s for the elimination of human trafficking. The main objective of this review was to evaluate empirical studies on human trafficking in Ethiopia and identify gaps for further research. The discussion is based on a desk review of published literatures on Ethiopians trafficked into various Arab countries. Literatures were identified through scoping literature review approach. The desk review result revealed that empirical research on human trafficking in Ethiopia seems still in its early stage despite its indispensable role in combating the problem. Furthermore, the empirical studies reviewed on trafficking in Ethiopia are either focused on women victims or focused on the causes of trafficking giving due importance only for economic factors such as poverty, unemployment and gender inequality. Furthermore, in Ethiopia factors of human trafficking were mostly studied qualitatively. However, the victims of human trafficking are both sexes and migration in the Ethiopia has been fueled by diverse and interwoven political, socio-economic and environmental factors. Accordingly, to better understand causes of human trafficking, the complex ways in which political, economic and socio-cultural factors interact within and across country borders shall be well discussed employing mixed approach and targeting women in relation to men. Moreover, to better understand the extent and magnitude of trafficking from Ethiopia, human trafficking ought to be systematically documented employing Socio-Ecological Model.

AbstractHuman trafficking is one of the most rapidly increasing forms of transnational crime. Globally, an estimated 25 million adults and children are subjected to modern slavery or human trafficking. In India, approximately 7 thousand cases of human trafficking have been reported as of 2021 (ILO, 2022). The present study aims to contextualize the changing levels and patterns of human trafficking by integrating demographic and spatial dimensions by considering the dynamics of human trafficking with space, population, time, and circumstances in India. The study uses information from human trafficking cases reported by police records data accessed from Indiastat (www.Indiastat.com), an online repository supervised by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. The present study deploys descriptive statistical techniques to accomplish the objectives, as the descriptive design provides a detailed and accurate data representation. Location quotient (LQ) mapping is used to detect the degree of victimization by human trafficking for 2021. The volume of human trafficking remained stagnant (above five thousand) until 2017, but it decreased in 2020 due to the COVID-19 lockdown restricting human mobility. Forced labor (43%) and sexual exploitation (33%) are the leading causes of trafficking in India. Rajasthan (80.8%) male victims and Maharashtra (94.0%) female victims reported the highest reported cases of human trafficking by gender. The highest concentration of human trafficking concerning its population is in Goa LQ value: 8.18). Child rights protection measures and robust anti-trafficking policies should be established as major policy measures for the Indian government.

Introduction Human trafficking (HT) is a public health issue that adversely affects patients’ well-being. Despite the prevalence of trafficked persons in health care settings, a lack of educational modules exists for use in clinical contexts. We developed a 50-minute train-the-trainer module on HT. Methods After piloting the workshop for faculty, fellows, and residents (n = 19) at the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) national conference, we implemented it in medical students’ curricula during their emergency medicine clerkship at the University of Iowa (n = 162). We evaluated the worskhop by (a) a retrospective pre-post survey of self-reported ability to (1) define HT, (2) recognize high-risk signs, (3) manage situations with trafficked persons, and (4) teach others about HT, and (b) a 3-month follow-up survey to assess longitudinal behavior change. Results In both contexts, results demonstrated improvement across all learning outcomes (pre-post differences of 1.5, 1.3, 1.9, and 1.7 on a 4-point Likert-type scale for each learning objective above, respectively, at the SAEM conference and 1.2, 1.0, 1.3, and 1.3 at the University of Iowa; p < .001 for all). In the 3-month follow-up, we observed statistically significant changes in self-reported consideration of and teaching about HT during clinical encounters among learners who had previously never done either (p < .001 and p = .006, respectively). Discussion This train-the-trainer module is a brief and effective clinical tool for bedside teaching about HT, especially among people who have never previously considered HT in a clinical context.

The characteristics of this serious organized crime, which mainly threatens the internal and external security of countries, have led to the formation of a repressive criminal policy in most countries. Indeed, the necessity to deal effectively with human trafficking has led countries to adopt a policy approach based on repressive measures. It can be said that the dangerousness and incorrigibility of human trafficking offenders have become two complementary and irrefutable criminal narratives, the main reason for which is the emergence of two theories, “refusal to rehabilitate offenders” and “refusal for restorative policy against human trafficking”. Despite this view, in this research, an attempt is made to reverse these two super narratives of the enemy-oriented criminal policy and to argue in the direction of establishing a restorative discourse with the aim of gradually restoring the anti-human trafficking criminal policy. The present research is written based on descriptive and analytical methods, and the methods of collecting information are from library-documentary studies. The researcher's effort in this article is to criticize the theory of “refusal for restorative justice” and defend the theory of “the possibility of restoring the criminal policy against human trafficking”. Considering this issue, this article aims to analyze the feasibility and efficiency of implementing restorative justice regarding human trafficking and concludes with a descriptive-analytical approach that relying only on the criminal response is not sufficient or efficient to deal with such crimes. In this regard, the author argues that the assumption is based on the possibility of using (and the efficiency of) restorative programs for human trafficking offenders and that a restorative response can be implemented in parallel with punitive measures regarding these crimes.

Introduction: The text characterizes the phenomenon of human trafficking in three countries: Bulgaria, Romania, and Poland. It was decided to describe ways to combat this phenomenon using the example of Poland. Research Aim: The goal of study was to submit a short report on the general situation in the field of human trafficking in selected countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Evidence-based Facts: Central and Eastern Europe is the origin, transfer, and destination for victims of human trafficking. While in Bulgaria or Romania sexual exploitation is predominant among the victims identified, forced labour is predominant in Poland. Summary: Help for victims of human trafficking is largely based on the activities of non-governmental organizations, and the state is left only to prosecute this crime. Poland considered this outsourcing of assistance to victims more effective than building a public assistance system.

This paper delves into the proactive measures adopted by Interpol to counter the pervasive issue of human trafficking, focusing specifically on the activities of non-procedural migrant worker networks in East Nusa Tenggara. Human trafficking remains a grave violation of human rights globally, with vulnerable migrant workers often falling victim to exploitation and abuse. In regions like East Nusa Tenggara, where such networks operate with relative impunity, concerted efforts are necessary to dismantle their operations and bring perpetrators to justice. Interpol plays a crucial role in this endeavor by leveraging legal assistance treaties to enhance international cooperation in combating transnational crimes, including human trafficking. Through these treaties, Interpol facilitates information exchange, joint investigations, and coordinated law enforcement actions among member countries, thereby strengthening the collective response to this multifaceted challenge. In East Nusa Tenggara, where the complexities of jurisdiction and cross-border activities complicate law enforcement efforts, Interpol's involvement becomes particularly significant. By collaborating with local law enforcement agencies and leveraging its global network of resources, Interpol can identify, disrupt, and dismantle the networks involved in human trafficking. This paper will explore the mechanisms through which Interpol utilizes legal assistance treaties to support investigations, apprehend perpetrators, and rescue victims of human trafficking in East Nusa Tenggara. Additionally, it will assess the effectiveness of these strategies in mitigating the impact of non-procedural migrant worker networks and advancing the overarching goal of eradicating human trafficking. Through a comprehensive analysis of Interpol's efforts in this context, this paper aims to contribute to the discourse on international law enforcement cooperation and the fight against human trafficking.

Abstract Human trafficking is a complex, multifaceted, and deeply layered issue. Consequently, any mitigation strategy employed against it must also be layered and target the distinct aspects of the issue. For long, the obvious and perhaps the most visible practice to deal with cases of trafficking has been employing a criminal justice approach where the focus largely lies on the persecution of the criminal instead of the protection of the survivors. More nuanced approaches, such as anti-trafficking clauses that protect human rights and focus on removing root causes that directly or indirectly have an impact on trafficking patterns, including labor, migration, and sexual exploitation issues, have emerged to successfully tackle human trafficking as a global issue. The principles and guidelines for such a multi-sectoral, human rights-based approach are primarily aimed at trafficking prevention, protection, assistance to survivors of trafficking, criminalization, punishment, and redressal. This article aims to evaluate this approach and its intersections with the traditional criminal justice approach. It will further discuss the approach that is currently in practice and argue for further improvements and efforts. Finally, it will also discuss the impact of COVID-19 on trafficking in persons.

Human trafficking and sexual exploitation remain complex global problems. Islamic law, as one of the legal systems in the world, has a strategic role in participating in overcoming this problem. However, the Islamic legal norms implementation requires support from the state and society. This research discusses the strategic role and challenges of the law in overcoming human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The research method used normative Islamic law with a philosophical approach. The analysis technique used prescriptive analysis, with the analysis process using Islamic legal reasoning. The research results show that Islamic law has a strategic role in resolving the problem of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The argument is that, philosophically, Islamic law emphasizes the importance of maintaining human honor and dignity, while theoretically, Islamic law recognizes two main concepts in punishment, namely hudud and ta'zir. Hudud is a punishment determined by Allah and has clear rules in the Quran and Hadith. Meanwhile, ta'zir is a punishment determined by a judge for the benefit of society. The challenges of Islamic law in overcoming human trafficking and sexual exploitation are a lack of understanding of Islamic legal norms, which requires human values and justice; Islamic law is not implementable; and there is a perception that the principles of Islamic law can only be applied in Islamic countries. Therefore, global Muslim countries and communities are the main actors in maximizing the application of Islamic legal principles in overcoming human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

This study aims to examine the topic of human trafficking (HT) to outline the definition and typology of HT, stages of HT, research themes, and future research directions in HT studies. This study used a systematic literature method to analyze 229 articles from the social sciences category from the Scopus database. This study found that the definition of HT is complex. Thus, to define HT, scholars need to be specific about the context, characteristics, and typology of trafficking. There are many internal and external factors in mobilizing the victim's choice of victim's immigration into this crime's vortex. Hence, policymakers need to know the critical issues of victim preference in the HT stage. Ultimately, there are three primary themes in the HT topic. They are: (1) developing models and strategies for dealing with more effective ways to combat HT around the world, (2) exploring and further comprehending the social and cultural factors underlying HT in different regions, and (3) capacity-building countries and implementation of more effective policies to protect and assist trafficking victims. Our integrative literature review may be the most recent study to provide detailed information about each research stream of HT literature in the social sciences discipline. The results of our review are limited to HT publications in the social sciences field, which stemmed from Scopus.

Fuhuş, insan onuru ve eşitliğini ihlal eden, kişinin bedenini ticaret malı haline getirerek ona fiziki ve ruhi açıdan zarar veren, nesilleri kalıtsal ve ölümcül bazı hastalıklara maruz bırakabilen, aile birliği ve toplumsal düzeni olumsuz etkileyen büyük bir sorundur. Neden ve sonuçlarıyla, hukukun yanında pek çok bilim dalının inceleme konusunu oluşturan fuhuş olgusu; tarih boyunca farklı zaman ve coğrafyalarda farklı değerlendirmelere konu olmuş bir eylemdir. Günümüzde de devletlerin fuhşa dair düzenlemeleri farklılıklar içermektedir. Öncelikle İsveç’te akabinde pek çok ülkede kabul edilmiş, İskandinav veya İsveç modeli olarak anılan yaklaşım, fuhuş ve fuhuş amaçlı insan ticaretiyle mücadele kapsamında diğer ülke düzenlemelerinden ayrışan bir bakış açısı sunmaktadır. Modelin çıkış noktası, fuhşa aracılığın yanında, fuhuşta müşteri olmanın da suç olarak benimsenmesidir. Modeli benimseyen bazı ülkelerde fuhuş yapan kimseler de belirli koşullarla cezalandırılmaktadır. İskandinav modelinin ve uygulandığı farklı ülkelerdeki düzenlemelerin incelendiği bu çalışmada, konuya dair ülkemiz mevzuatı, öğreti görüşleri ve yargı kararlarına da yer verilmiştir. Ülkemizde fuhşa aracılığın ve fuhşun reklamının suç olarak düzenlendiği, ancak fuhuş yapanlar veya müşterilerinin cezalandırılması yönünde tercihte bulunulmadığı anlaşılmaktadır.

Abstract Background Human trafficking is a global public health issue that is associated with serious short- and long-term morbidity. To address and prevent human trafficking, vulnerabilities to human trafficking and forces sustaining it need to be better understood among specific subpopulations. We aimed to explore risk and protective factors for human trafficking, the health impact of exploitation, and barriers and facilitators of seeking help throughout the human trafficking trajectory among forced labor and sex trafficking victims in Kampala, Uganda. Methods Between March and November 2020, in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 108 victims of forced labor and sex trafficking who had completed a human trafficking survey conducted by the Uganda Youth Development Link (UYDEL). Participants who experienced various forms of exploitation were purposively invited for qualitative interviews and a convenience sample was interviewed. Interviews explored personal history, trafficking recruitment, experiences of exploitation and abuse, and experiences seeking help. Interviews were analyzed using a combination of deductive and inductive thematic analysis. Themes and subthemes were organized using an adapted conceptual framework of human trafficking. Results Poverty and an abusive home life, frequently triggered by the death of a caretaker, underpinned vulnerability to human trafficking recruitment. Limited education, lack of social support, and survival needs pushed victims into exploitative situations. Victims of human trafficking were systematically exploited and exposed to dangerous working conditions. Victims suffered from sexually transmitted diseases, incontinence, traumatic fistulae, musculoskeletal injuries, and mental health symptoms. Lack of awareness of resources, fear of negative consequences, restrictions on movement, and dependence on the trafficker and exploitation income prevented victims from seeking help. The police and healthcare workers were the few professionals that they interacted with, but these interactions were oftentimes negative experiences. Conclusions To address and prevent human trafficking, localized interventions are needed at all stages of the human trafficking trajectory. Health impacts of human trafficking are severe. As some of the few professionals trafficking victims interact with, police and healthcare workers are important targets for anti-trafficking training. Improved understanding of human trafficking drivers and barriers and facilitators to seeking help can inform the design of necessary interventions.

IntroductionHealth professionals have an opportunity to assist patients who are experiencing many types of violence, including human trafficking; however, current approaches are often not person-centered. The Provide privacy, Educate, Ask, Respect and Respond (PEARR) Tool, a recognized screening tool in the U.S., is a structured conversation guide for health professionals on how to provide trauma-sensitive assistance to patients who may be experiencing such violence, including human trafficking. This is the first study to evaluate the PEARR Tool and its use in hospital settings.MethodsA U.S.-based health system adopted the PEARR Tool as part of its Abuse, Neglect, and Violence policy and procedure. To support successful adoption, the health system also developed educational modules on human trafficking and trauma-informed approaches to patient care, including a module on the PEARR steps. In October 2020 and June 2021, a voluntary “PEARR Tool Training and Implementation Survey” was distributed to emergency department staff in three hospitals. The survey consisted of 22 questions: eight demographic and occupation related questions; five questions related to the education provided to staff; and, nine questions related to the use of the PEARR Tool in identifying and assisting patients.ResultsThe overall findings demonstrate a general increase in awareness about the prevalence of human trafficking, as well as a significant increase in awareness about the implementation of the PEARR Tool. However, the findings demonstrate that most respondents were not utilizing the PEARR Tool between October 2020 and June 2021. Most reported that the reason for this was because they had not suspected any of their patients to be victims of abuse, neglect, or violence, including human trafficking. Of those that had utilized the PEARR Tool, there was a marked increase in staff that reported its usefulness and ease of access when caring for patients.DiscussionThe COVID-19 pandemic posed many challenges during this study, including delays in staff education, changes in education format and delivery, and strains on staff. Initial data regarding the use of the PEARR Tool is promising; and additional research is recommended.

Introduction Many people experience trauma, and its cumulative effects throughout the life span can alter health, development, and well-being. Despite this, few publications focusing on interpersonal trauma include a holistic understanding of the nature and widespread exposure of trauma experiences for patients. We developed an educational resource to teach residents about identifying and intervening with patients who experience trauma across the life span using a trauma-informed care (TIC) perspective. Methods We created a 4-hour educational session for residents that included didactics, a virtual visit with a domestic violence shelter, a discussion with a person who had experienced trauma, and role-playing. A pretest/posttest retrospective survey assessed resident confidence level in identifying and intervening with patients who may have experienced trauma. We used the Wilcoxon signed rank test to compare pretest and posttest scores and the Kruskal-Wallis test to compare responses by residency type and year. Free-text questions were analyzed for thematic content. Results During the 2021–2022 academic year, 72 of 90 residents (80%) from four residency programs attended and evaluated the session. More than 90% of respondents reported the session met their educational needs and provided them with new ideas, information, and practical suggestions to use in their clinical endeavors. The results demonstrated significantly increased confidence on most of the metrics measured. Discussion This session significantly improved residents' confidence in identifying and intervening with patients who have had trauma experiences using a TIC perspective, which may lead them to provide improved patient care to those who have experienced trauma.

Based on an ethnography of French trials for trafficking in human beings and aggravated procuring, this article seeks to contribute to the analysis of the reframing, in penal terms, of the struggles engaged in the name of social justice and women’s rights, of which anti-trafficking policies are particularly emblematic. Studying the judging practices and logics at stake during trials reveals how fantasized representations of the pimp and the victim take on substance. In particular, I argue that judges invoke a set of gendered, sexualized and racialized extra-legal norms, which, along with their legal foundations, constitute their knowledge base and impose a moral and penal hierarchy among litigants. Therefore, not only does this analysis contribute to defining the contours of the elusive figures of the pimp and the victim in the penal arena, it also exposes how maintaining public order is based on the perpetuation of a gendered and sexual national order in the name of gender justice.

Human trafficking is a rising complex global problem, and effective anti-trafficking programs can address the problem through four objectives: prevention, prosecution, protection, and partnership, known as the 4Ps. The transportation industry plays a critical role in preventing and disrupting human trafficking. Research shows that transit points are crucial for recruiting and transporting victims of human trafficking between source and destination locations. Motivated by transit monitoring, a strategy that aims to identify and intercept potential human trafficking victims while they are in transit and before exploitation, this research demonstrates one of the first examples of transportation efforts to combat human trafficking. Through an academic and practitioner partnership, we develop field data-driven capacity expansion strategies for transit monitoring that integrates the 4Ps. This research utilizes a new multi-target metric to evaluate the impact of anti-trafficking operations, which amalgamates the prevention, protection, prosecution goals, and program cost. It also incorporates organizational factors to understand the success of potential interventions and demonstrates an early example of predictive analytics for combating human trafficking.

Human Trafficking is an iceberg phenomenon that is growing all over the world including in Indonesia. Indonesia is a tier 2 surveillance country because human trafficking cases are still high and one of the regions contributing to human trafficking cases is East Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara. The purpose of this study is to analyze and find out how pattern of human trafficking in East Lombok and the role of the East Lombok Regency government in preventing human trafficking. The results showed that first, pattern human trafficking in East Lombok Regency which starts from the recruitment process carried out by neighbors, family, friends, and people who first go abroad, document forgery and manipulation of victims' data are made outside the East Lombok Regency area, and the departure process is relay and departure is not from East Lombok Regency but from the area where the documents are made. Second, the role of the East Lombok Regency Government for prevent human trafficking by conducting scheduled socialization in villages/villages that are vulnerable to human trafficking victims, forming Productive Migrant Villages, and providing training to retired migrant workers/families by forming novice business heroes. However, the Government's efforts to prevent human trafficking have not been maximized and effective due to the lack of coordination between related institutions and public awareness of the dangers of trafficking in persons.

The configuration of human trafficking and the more effective frame to combat it have been determined in the last twenty years. With the Palermo Protocol and the Warsaw Convention, the human rights-based approach is in the center of the proposal. One of its main features requires establishing a data collection system to facilitate and control the reality of human trafficking in the country. In this study, it is intended to comparative analyze the data collection of trafficking victims in Europe. In the analysis, it is concluded that the disparity of what is being counted puts the comparison at risk. At the same time, the human rights-based approach to trafficking is contested.

Sustainable development is realized in various sectors, including marine and fisheries. Fishermen are the main pillars in advancing the marine and fisheries sector. The welfare of fishermen in Indonesia is not as good as Indonesia’s ambitions in promoting the marine and fisheries sector. One of the Human Rights, namely the right to a decent and prosperous life, still needs to be felt by most small-scale or artisanal fishermen. The purpose of this research is to find a direction for fisheries and marine policies that can protect the human rights of fishermen to realize sustainable development in Indonesia’s marine and fisheries sector. The paper explore two legal issues: Indonesian fishermen’s human rights problems and protecting Indonesian fishermen’s human rights to sustainable development realization in Indonesia’s marine and fisheries sector. Indonesian fishermen’s human rights problems are the right to have a decent and prosperous life, to receive proper and fair treatment in work relations, to obtain legal protection, not to be tortured and enslaved, and the right to adjust the occupation identity written in the National Identification Card (NIC) for the female fishermen. Protecting Indonesian fishermen’s human rights cannot be realized without international cooperation with other states because many Indonesian fishermen work in foreign-flagged vessels. The working conditions in which the majority of fishermen in Indonesia operate, specifically in countries such as China, South Korea, and Taiwan, do not align with several international agreements aimed at safeguarding the rights of fishermen. Finally, the article considers establishing international cooperation between Indonesia and related states to protect fishermen’s human rights.

Since the mid-1990s, Turkey has experienced a massive increase in sub-Saharan African migrants. According to the U.S. Department of State’s 2021 report on trafficking in Turkey, in 2019, there were 276 victims of human trafficking. This paper examines the issue of human trafficking through the lens of the concept of deceptive trafficking. The cases of eight victimized women trafficked to Turkey from sub-Saharan Africa are examined, and their responses are thematically analyzed using migration theories with a focus on Van Hear’s model. The testimonies of these sub-Saharan African women exploited by human traffickers serve as the foundation for this study. The paper reveals the circumstances that give rise to the practice of human trafficking and the factors that maintain its existence in sub-Saharan African countries. The results highlighted the vulnerability of African women as a target for international and transnational human trafficking.

Labour migration, other than being a key driver of economic growth and development, is also associated with inconsistent human rights practices. This paper furthers the understanding of links between migration and human trafficking in Andhra Pradesh, India. It applies IOM’s Determinants of Vulnerability Framework to assess and analyse the various ways in which vulnerabilities of the migrant unorganised and casual labourers are constructed as they are forced to migrate for livelihood security. The study employed a mixed-methods approach which included a survey of 5888 individuals, seven case studies, five focus group discussions and 121 key informant interviews. The paper confirms that migration, by itself, does not lead to trafficking. A number of intersecting, inter-related factors at individual, household, community, and structural levels add to risks or provide protection against trafficking to a migrant before, during or after the process of migration. Relatedly, the paper argues that the process of migration is a continuum between vulnerability, unsafe migration, and trafficking.

In recent decades, an anti-trafficking legislative and policy framework has been developed in Spain, coupled with the funding of initiatives related to the protection of trafficked persons, especially women, largely carried out by faith-based and secular organizations. Using 25 interviews conducted with people employed in programmes targeting trafficked women in the Autonomous Community of Madrid, this article provides deeper exploration of this under-studied subject with a view to gaining a better understanding of the work experiences of professionals involved in these initiatives, with special attention paid to the challenges they face in enacting anti-trafficking activities while avoiding producing violence on assisted persons. The experiences of these professionals highlight that the neoliberal outsourcing of services to non-governmental organizations nevertheless contributes towards making anti-trafficking an apparatus in which violence materializes and reproduces. Significantly, this violence involves not only the people who are being assisted as trafficking victims but also some anti-trafficking professionals.

The legal framework for ASEAN cooperation in combating the crime of trafficking in persons, particularly women and children, led to the establishment of the ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (ACTIP). This convention recognises that trafficking constitutes a violation of human rights and a crime against human dignity. However, the implementation of ACTIP faces numerous challenges that require strategic solutions. This research aims to examine the implementation of the ACTIP policy concerning human trafficking, assess ASEAN's efforts in tackling trafficking in women and children in the Southeast Asian region, and criticise the implementation of ACTIP. The research adopts a descriptive-normative method. The ACTIP Convention regulates provisions for dealing with trafficking problems, both prevention and handling, which are the responsibility of the central and local governments as well as the community by establishing various task forces in the implementation of prevention and control of human trafficking that occurs. ASEAN has taken several steps in the fight against human trafficking. Many obstacles must be faced to eradicate the criminal act of trafficking in persons. So. it is necessary to take several actions in implementing the ACTIP. ASEAN Members must cooperate either bilaterally or multilaterally so that the ACTIP arrangement can be implemented effectively.

This paper explores the potential application and challenges of blockchain technology in addressing the complex issues surrounding international migration within the African Union (AU). It provides an overview of blockchain technology, its features, and potential applications. The paper delves into the pressing challenges faced by the AU concerning international migration, including illegal migration, human trafficking, and the absence of secure and efficient systems for processing and tracking migrants. By utilizing blockchain technology, this paper examines how these challenges can be mitigated through secure and transparent identity verification, improved movement tracking, and enhanced access to services. Furthermore, this paper discusses the existing literature on the topic, highlighting blockchain technology's potential benefits and challenges in the context of international migration within the AU. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research and the adoption of blockchain technology to address the challenges of international migration within the AU.

Human trafficking is a complex global problem that demands current and scientifically grounded knowledge capable of coordinating interventions among various sectors of society. To address this issue, a systematic collection of scientific articles was conducted in two databases (Web of Science and Scielo) using keywords in both English and Portuguese. After screening 267 articles based on title, abstract, and full text, an 11-article sample was analyzed for quality. The results revealed that conceptual inconsistency is a challenge in signaling human trafficking, particularly in cases of sexual exploitation of women where it may be associated with prostitution, pimping, or migration—all of which are activities tied to financial gain. Addressing human trafficking requires action from concept to practice, including strengthened policies for sanctions and necessary support for victims.

Transportation plays a key role in combating human trafficking. This paper discusses data from the 2021 National Outreach Survey for Transportation (NOST), from the first ever United States Department of Transportation Combating Human Trafficking in Transportation Award winning project. Survey data collected from transportation personnel, victim service providers, and trafficking survivors reinforces the documented perceptions, limitations, and challenges in understanding and combating forced labor discussed among frontline workers. Among 173 respondents working in various state DOT construction units, only 26 % feel slightly or very confident (19 % and 7 %, respectively) about identifying labor trafficking in their work environment. Participating transportation workers confirm specific training topics that may help to identify forced labor proximate to the work environment or within the community, transportation-related venues, and events. Respondents from multiple transport modes also provide valuable suggestions on how personnel and industry leaders can help combat human trafficking in supply chains. For the primarily U.S.-based transportation respondents, the most suggested strategy for encouraging companies to use products free from forced labor in their supply chains was high penalties (1,229 respondents), followed by loss of tax benefits (850 respondents) (total n = 1,766).

This research focuses on the critical analysis of legal frameworks in Indonesia concerning the protection of witnesses and victims in human trafficking cases, scrutinizing the effectiveness and challenges from a perspective of dignified justice. Emphasizing the need for a fair judiciary system, the study delves into the implementation of existing laws and regulations related to the rights and protection of witnesses and victims in Trafficking in Persons (TPP) cases. Employing a normative legal methodology, the research extensively analyzes national and international norms and legal materials, including comparisons between national laws and international conventions such as the Palermo Protocol. Findings reveal that inadequate understanding and awareness among law enforcement about the significance of these rights, coupled with resource constraints, result in identity rights violations for witnesses and victims. Furthermore, challenges such as the perceived threats to witnesses and victims, limited human and financial resources in law enforcement agencies, legal uncertainties in TPP case handling, insufficient international cooperation in law enforcement, and the difficulty in balancing the rights of victims and defendants are identified. The study also highlights the importance of rehabilitation and reintegration policies for victims, suggesting that successful combat against human trafficking transcends judicial processes. Consequently, this research not only investigates existing laws and policies but also identifies gaps and potential improvements to ensure that witness and victim protection in combating TPP aligns with principles of dignified justice. The aim is to contribute significantly to developing a more effective, fair, and rights-sensitive judicial system in Indonesia. Highlights: • Law Enforcement Gaps: Limited awareness and resources in protecting victims' rights. • Legal and International Hurdles: Challenges in TPP case handling and cross-border cooperation. • Rights Balance: Need for equilibrium between victim protection and defendant fairness. Keywords: Human Trafficking, Witness Protection, Legal Framework, Indonesia, Rights of Victims

Since the adoption of the Palermo Protocol in 2000, international anti-trafficking law and policy have developed significantly. While both States and non-state actors have had a role to play in such development, this article focuses on the contribution of what (Sivakumaran, 2017) labels as “state-empowered entities” (SEEs), actors that are “empowered” by states' and thus cannot be seen as “truly non-state in character.” Indeed, a range of SEEs, such as UNODC, the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Persons to name a few engage substantively with international anti-trafficking law. Situated within a theoretical framework that recognizes “soft” law's normativity and important interactive relationship with “hard” law, this article analyses the ongoing role of SEEs in operationalizing international anti-trafficking law, highlighting the norm creation, interpretation, and enforcement functions that such entities can and do play. Ultimately, this article frames SEEs as underexplored sites of progress for international anti-trafficking law, and calls for more engagement with the work and output of relevant SEEs, within anti-trafficking research and practice.