Manual for Early Identification of Potential Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings, Child Sexual Abuse and Child Sexual Exploitation

The Manual provides legal definitions of the THB1 and CSA/E phenomena, as well as examples of existing tools (indicators) for early identification that exist at the international and national levels. Further, the Manual contains sets of tailored, sec tor-specific indicators for early identification of potential THB and CSA/E victims in four selected countries: Bangladesh, Colombia, Spain, and the United Kingdom (UK). These indicators are developed based on the characteristics and specifics of the phenomena in the countries themselves, accompanied by a brief assessment of the specific contexts in which they occur, with a focus on the relevant economic and social sectors. Given the fact that the Internet has increasingly become a major tool for victim recruitment and exploitation, specific attention is given to online abuse, exploitation and trafficking. Understanding such elements and devising indicators to combat THB and CSA/E in the digital age are urgent matters that need to be addressed.

The Manual has been developed in the framework of the HEROES Project2, which is a European Union-funded programme. HEROES is jointly implemented by law enforcement agencies, international organisations, academic institutions, and civil society organisations from countries in the Americas, Europe, and Asia with the objective of developing novel strategies to fight CSA/E and THB crimes and protect their victims.