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New toolkit launched by UN agency to help in fight against human trafficking

New toolkit launched by UN agency to help in fight against human trafficking

The United Nations’ anti-crime agency launched a toolkit today to assist governments, law-enforcement agencies, policy-makers and civil society groups tackle the scourge of human trafficking more effectively.

The new toolkit from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) contains a mixture of practical tools for police officers – such as a checklist on how to identify trafficking victims and tips on how to interview and protect them – and broader, more theoretical guidance, such as suggestions on how to increase international cooperation and how to harmonize national laws in this area.

There is information on medical, legal and psychological protection for victims, as well as material on how to deal with the immigration status of victims and their possible repatriation and resettlement.

Speaking at today’s launch in Vienna, UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa said the toolkit has been created as governments the world over struggle to cope with human trafficking.

“Although the evidence suggests that trafficking in people is increasing everywhere, few traffickers are behind bars,” noting that virtually every nation on Earth is affected by the problem.