UN Secretary-General calls for redoubling efforts to protect, support survivors of human trafficking

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for redoubling efforts to detect, protect, and support survivors of human trafficking.In his message on the World Day against Trafficking in Persons which is marked every year on July 30, Guterres said "Today amidst growing inequalities, worsening climate emergencies, and record displacement more and more people are left vulnerable to traffickers."The majority of detected victims are women and children, many of whom suffer brutal violence, forced labor, and exploitation and abuse, he added."Yet traffickers continue to operate with impunity. Their crimes are receiving not nearly enough attention. This must change. We must invest much more in detection and protection. We must strengthen law enforcement to bring criminals that commodify human beings to justice. And we must do more to help survivors rebuild their lives." the UN Secretary-General said.Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Ghada Waly said that responses to human trafficking crime are falling short leaving many victims unprotected.In her message on the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, she said that authorities are struggling to detect and protect trafficking victims, and that convictions of traffickers are falling allowing them to act with greater impunity, adding that more structured criminal organizations are exploiting a higher number of victims for extended periods of time.She stressed on the need to step up efforts, pointing out that this requires support from all sectors of society, including healthcare, social services and law enforcement."Let us join forces and commit to reaching every trafficking victim and survivor to give them hope and support on their journey towards Justice and recovery," Ghada Waly said.