COVID-19 Pandemic & Its Impact for Victims & Survivors of Trafficking in Persons
Извор: WUNRN – 11.08.2020
The current COVID-19 outbreak has drastically affected the lives of millions around the globe. While health responses are a priority, concerns have emerged on the short and long-term impact that the pandemic and the measures taken to control it have and will likely have on the crime of trafficking in persons and its victims, including with respect to:
- *Hindered access to healthcare for victims who may be more or less exposed to the virus;
- *Exacerbating risks for already vulnerable groups of individuals, including women and girls, people on the move affected by travel restrictions, children at greater risk of family separation, as well as persons directly impacted by disruption of economic activities and reduced livelihoods options
- *Decline in remittances, as well as disruptions to family and social safety networks;
- *Increasing prevalence of sexual exploitation online and use of technology to facilitate criminal conduct;
- *Hindered access to services and support for victims and survivors, due to temporarily closed shelters and disrupted services by NGOs and service providers;
- *Diverted law enforcement resources in investigating and responding to trafficking in persons, as well as reduced inspections leading to decrease in identification of cases, including of trafficking for labour exploitation;
- *Delayed identification of victims;
- *Delayed access to justice, including postponement of trials, causing significant disturbances in the conduct of proceedings before criminal, civil and administrative courts to the detriment of victims’ rights;
- *Risks that the return of victims of trafficking to their countries of origin may be delayed or, on the contrary, precipitated, even if the persons concerned face serious health and protection risks in the countries of return.
The Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT) recognizes the importance of global efforts to respond to such an unprecedented crisis. At the same time, those responsible for developing and implementing these responses must consider the implications of such measures for victims and survivors of trafficking and safeguard fundamental rights in this time of pandemic.
As the UN’s lead inter-agency platform on trafficking in persons, comprised of 26 United Nations entities and other international and regional organizations, ICAT’s mission is to facilitate policy coherence by setting clear priorities and sharing expertise, as well as supporting States, practitioners and civil society to translate such priorities into actions.
