1. States Parties shall establish comprehensive policies, programmes and other measures:
(a) To prevent and combat trafficking in persons; and
(b) To protect victims of trafficking in persons, especially women and children, from
revictimization.
2. States Parties shall endeavour to undertake measures such as research, information and mass
media campaigns and social and economic initiatives to prevent and combat trafficking in persons.
Protocol Annotation: Research is important in understanding trafficking and developing
policies and responses. For example, research needs to be done in countries of destination
to assess the manner in which restrictive immigration laws facilitate trafficking by preventing
people from entering legally to work at jobs begging for workers. Research is also needed
on best practices regarding prevention and reintegration.
Information and mass media campaigns have been carried out in many countries and the
best ones do not use scare tactics to deter people from migrating. Governments should
fund campaigns that provide information to potential migrants about their legal rights abroad
and safe migration so that people can decide whether or not their travel and work plans are
realistic and safe. The campaigns should also be linked to service providers and ways to
obtain more information.
3. Policies, programmes and other measures established in accordance with this article shall, as
appropriate, include cooperation with non-governmental organizations, other relevant
organizations and other elements of civil society.
Protocol Annotation: Governments that sign the Trafficking Protocol must find appropriate
ways to collaborate and cooperate with NGOs. This provision supports NGO demands for a
role in the development of policies, programs and measures related to the prevention of
trafficking. Part of the cooperation should also include government funding of NGO
activities.
4. States Parties shall take or strengthen measures, including through bilateral or multilateral
cooperation, to alleviate the factors that make persons, especially women and children, vulnerable
to trafficking, such as poverty, underdevelopment and lack of equal opportunity.