Identifying Trafficking Victims: An Analysis of Victim Identification Tools and Resources in Asia

Victim identification is the process by which an individual is identified as a victim of trafficking in persons (TIP), which in turn, entitles them to rights and protections. Identification may occur in any number of situations (while a victim is exploited, after an individual has exited trafficking, after a victim has been home for some period of time). Victim identification is of key importance in a country’s anti-trafficking response and, in all instances, formal identification should lead to and facilitate the opportunity for a victim’s voluntary referral for assistance and/or access to justice. Because this does not always occur in practice, it is important to increase the safe and voluntary identification of all trafficking victims and ensure their voluntary access to services and protection.