Trafficking in Persons Report- 2023 Release
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken released the 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP Report) on Thursday, June 15 and The Woolf Group (TWG) was honored to attend.
Since 2001, the TIP Report has been published every year by the U.S. Department of State and provides a comprehensive assessment of human trafficking worldwide with sections focused on trends, new techniques, and policies. The TIP report also highlights the forms of trafficking prevalent in each country, evaluates government responses, and provides recommendations to address shortcomings. It covers various aspects such as prosecution of traffickers, protection and support for victims, prevention measures, and partnerships with civil society and international organizations.
This year’s report encourages partnership as the most effective way to maximize efforts to combat human trafficking. In another section, survivors of human trafficking provide their lived experiences to better inform the reader and I was honored to see my friend Harold D’Souza among the survivors recognized in this year’s report. The report also brings attention to boys being trafficked, helping dispel the myth of trafficking only victimizing women and young girls.
The TIP Report release event includes recognition of the 2023 TIP Report Heroes, eight amazing people recognized for their tenacious focus on fighting trafficking across the globe. This year’s TIP Heroes came to Washington, D.C. from their home countries of Brazil, Cambodia, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, and Venezuela. Here’s a link to see all the TIP Heroes going back to 2004: http://www.tipheroes.org/
As in all previous years, the 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report is a crucial resource for anyone working to combat human trafficking including academia, policymakers, law enforcement, victim service providers, and organizations focused on anti-trafficking work. If your organization is looking for focused, strategic support to improve and expand your fight against human trafficking, TWG stands ready to work alongside you.
By John Freeman, TWG Vice President of Strategic & Training Solutions
