What Works in Trafficking in Persons

Both Liberia and Sierra Leone are source, transit and destination countries for human trafficking for purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation. Within these countries, women and children are trafficked from rural area to towns and mining areas for domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, and forced labor in diamond mines, petty trading, petty crime, and for forced begging. Women and children may also be trafficked for forced labor in agriculture and the fishing industry. In both countries the impact of civil war has exacerbated the problem. World Hope International's (WHI) Anti-Human Trafficking programs in West Africa have been highly successful in promoting awareness and providing emergency support for victims within Sierra Leone and Liberia. These programs utilize community and service provider networks (SPNs) and unique partnerships with law enforcement, other government stakeholders and civil society in both rural and urban areas, employing culturally appropriate responses to combat human trafficking.

Partnership is key to successfully end human trafficking. WHI's West Africa programs highlight the importance of partnering with stakeholders in communities, government, and civil society organizations. WHI's Anti-Trafficking programs in both countries have successfully trained communities to be advocates against human trafficking, serving as the eyes and ears within their locales. The key to the program's effectiveness lies not only in spreading the message, but also in taking cues for effective practices from communities, law enforcement and other stakeholders.