Victim Rights

Publication

‘Abuse of a position of vulnerability’ as a means of trafficking in persons

This Guidance Note is offered to criminal justice practitioners across the ASEAN region, to support their interpretation and application of 'abuse of a position of vulnerability' as a means of trafficking in persons. ASEAN-ACT supported the design of this document with the permission of UNODC, and did not alter the original content of the document as developed by UNODC.

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Guidelines

ASEAN Do No Harm Guide for Frontline Responders

• English
• Thai
• Lao
• Khmer
• Indonesian
• Vietnamese
• Myanmar

Publication

Freedom of movement for victims of trafficking

Throughout the ASEAN region, victims of trafficking often find themselves in some form of detention.

• English
• Indonesian
• Khmer
• Thai

Research

Implementing the Non-Punishment Principle to protect victims of trafficking

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Video

Importance of Trafficking in Persons Data

To learn more about the importance of trafficking in persons data, watch this short animation. Australia through the ASEAN-Australia Counter Trafficking program supports ASEAN Member States to collect data on trafficking in persons with a victim-sensitive focus and promotes transparency in the publication of national trafficking in persons annual reports to support a more robust response to the eradication of human trafficking.

• English
• Indonesian

Policy Brief

Lessons from COVID-19 in responding to trafficking in persons in times of crisis

To better understand the impact of COVID-19 on human trafficking and responses to it in the Philippines, ASEAN-Australia Counter Trafficking convened two online roundtable consultations with key stakeholders.

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Case

Philippines: A case on successful prosecution of a trafficking in persons case without a victim testimony

The Supreme Court of the Philippines published a landmark case demonstrating the successful prosecution of a trafficking in persons case without a victim testimony.

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Guidelines

Thailand: Guidelines on victim sensitivity using a trauma-informed approach

• Thai
• English

Video

Thailand’s approach to victim-sensitive courts

ASEAN-ACT works with judges across the region to embed gender-sensitive and victim-centred approaches into law, policy and practice. Judge Jarimjit, Office of the President of the Supreme Court in Thailand shares her experiences and some of Thailand's initiatives to better support and protect trafficked victims in court.

Policy Brief

The Blocked, The Obstructed: Intersectionality Study on the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers and Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Migrant Care with the support from OHANA Indonesia and the Disability Rights Fund conducted a study on the interrelated issues of Indonesian migrant workers and disabilities. The paper explores the multidimensional vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers and illustrates disabilities of migrant workers as a result of work accidents or violence within the workplace.

• English
• Indonesian

Publication

UNODC Special Event on “Doing Better: the Principle of Non-Punishment of Trafficking Victims & Investigations of Migrant Smuggling”

The Special Event on “Doing Better: the Principle of Non-Punishment of Trafficking Victims & Investigations of Migrant Smuggling”, organized by UNODC’s Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section, focused on two essential topics related to trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants on 28 June 2022 in hybrid format.

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Guidelines

Victim Sensitive Courts – A Handbook for ASEAN Member States

In trafficking cases, victims are often the only source of evidence, and without their cooperation it is difficult to prosecute offenders. In order to support those victims who want to participate in the criminal justice process, it is critical that the formal justice process applies a victim-centred approach. This handbook, developed by ASEAN-ACT together with target ASEAN Member States, provides guidelines and international good practice on how to implement victim sensitive courts.

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Roundtable

Video: non-punishment of victims of trafficking roundtable

An expert roundtable on the non-punishment of victims of trafficking was a special side event to the 47th Human Rights Council, co-convened by the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking Persons and the Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children.

• English

Video

What is trauma informed care?

Victims of human trafficking experience trauma in various forms, which impacts how they may remember their experiences and their ability to trust and talk about it. Law enforcement, prosecutors and judges play a crucial role in minimising re-traumatisation, and supporting recovery and reintegration. IJM Thailand Director Andrew Wasuwongse explains trauma-informed approaches in this video.