The early identification of trafficked persons is a prerequisite for their recognition as victims and, consequently, their access to assistance and protection.  This course discusses the need to not criminalize victims of trafficking and raises issues to be considered before victims are identified.  It also offers guidelines on victim identification, indicators of trafficking, and an overview of the initial interview.  Checklists to facilitate victim identification are provided, including those intended for use by health care providers and law enforcement officials.  The course emphasizes interviewing which is ethical and safe for interviewees, including children, and recommends a process of certifying victims to facilitate both their access to assistance and the provision of assistance by victims to the criminal justice system.  Lastly, resources are recommended to build capacity with respect to victim identification.

This course is based upon material published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and is available as an open access article.

This course on identifying victims of human trafficking is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors, who do clinical work.  This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop their understanding of human trafficking.  The course material includes a review of tools which can be used to identify victims of trafficking.  It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require clinical continuing education courses for license renewal.  

Authors:  United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding the identification of human trafficking victims.  Specifically, a professional will:

• Describe the guidelines on victim identification
• Identify health care provider tools for identifying victims
• Recognize ethical and safe interviewing conduct

Citation:  United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (retrieved 2017) Victim Identification.  Chapter Six of the Toolkit to Combat Trafficking in Persons.  Global Programme against Trafficking in Human Beings.  United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Reviewed and determined to be current by T DiDona, PhD on 3/1/2018.