“Victims’ Voices Lead the Way”: U.S. Embassy supports Tajikistan’s victim assistance and counter-trafficking in persons efforts
Format
Dushanbe, Tajikistan, July 30, 2021 – The U.S. Embassy’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) office supported the “Victims’ Voices Lead the Way” roundtable, dedicated to the “World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.” The International Organization for Migration (IOM), INL’s implementing partner, conducted the roundtable to emphasize the necessity of a victims-centered approach in combating human trafficking (TIP). The roundtable highlighted the importance of listening to and learning from survivors of human trafficking.
In her remarks during the roundtable, INL Director Sita Farrell noted that many victims of human trafficking have experienced ignorance or misunderstandings in their attempts to obtain help. Some have also faced traumatic post-rescue experiences during identification interviews and legal proceedings, revictimization, or punishment for crimes that their traffickers forced them to commit. Others have been stigmatized or have not been adequately supported.