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Protection Resources

Explore a collection of tools, reports, and best practices designed to support practitioners in advancing human trafficking protection efforts. These resources aim to strengthen collaboration, build capacity, and enhance the effectiveness of protection initiatives across the field.

YouTube Channel – Framework: Tools to Combat Labor Trafficking

Author(s): IRC Framework TA
Date: 2020
Topic(s): Labor Trafficking

The Framework TA YouTube Channel offers survivor soundbites, training videos, case studies, and more.

Love and Labor Trafficking: Awareness Building Activities

Author(s): IRC Framework TA
Date: 2026
Topic(s): Labor Trafficking

Labor trafficking does not always look dramatic. It does not always involve strangers. And it rarely follows the script we imagine.

Sometimes it looks like love.

Sometimes it looks like protection.

Sometimes it looks like caretaking

Sometimes it looks like work.

This Valentine’s series invites providers to pause and practice sitting with the complexity of labor trafficking that is relational and deeply human.

When we get wrapped up in preconceived notions of what a trafficking relationship is “supposed” to look like, we risk missing clients who need support. If we expect force without affection or harm without words of apology, we risk overlooking the ways coercion can be woven into care, loyalty, housing, support, employment, or family.

These case studies are meant to be practice tools — in team meetings, supervision, classrooms, and self-reflection. They are designed to help providers strengthen their ability to identify labor trafficking across diverse experiences.

Labor Trafficking 101 with a Focus on Minors

Author(s): IRC Framework TA
Date: 2026
Topic(s): Child Trafficking, Labor Trafficking

This toolkit is meant to enhance audience members’ awareness of labor trafficking of minors and provide special attention to immigrant communities, forcibly displaced youth, and unaccompanied children. There is a customizable ‘Labor Trafficking 101: Know the Essentials’ Trainer Slide Deck, accompanied by an instructional companion, the ‘Labor Trafficking 101: Know the Essentials’ Facilitator Guide.

The goal of this training is to build service provider capacity to identify potential signs of labor trafficking, to teach providers to compassionately engage potential survivors, and to understand basic survivor needs. This training can be used as a part of staff onboarding; to introduce task force, community members, or other stakeholders to the issue of labor trafficking; or as a stand-alone conference presentation or training.

Facilitators of this training are likely to be service providers working with populations at a higher risk of labor trafficking. This includes immigrants, refugees and unaccompanied children, mental health workers, or staff serving trafficking survivors. To effectively deliver this training, facilitators should complete the “train the trainer” style “Labor Trafficking 101: Know the Essentials” beforehand. Facilitators could also become familiar with the one-page child and youth-facing “Am I in A Dangerous Working Situation?” information sheet.

These client and provider facing resources to help combat child labor trafficking and for staff wanting to raise awareness about labor trafficking and child labor trafficking within their community were created by Framework and the IRC Center for Adjustment, Resilience, and Recovery (CARRE).

Supporting the Mental Health Needs of Labor Trafficking Survivors

Author(s): IRC Framework TA
Date: 2026
Topic(s): Labor Trafficking, Mental Health

Labor trafficking affects survivors in ways that extend far beyond the workplace. While physical safety and economic stability are essential components of recovery, healing also requires attention to mental health, identity, autonomy, and long-term well-being.

This guide was developed to support providers across disciplines by offering practical, survivor-informed considerations for understanding and responding to the unique mental health needs of labor trafficking survivors through trauma-informed, survivor-centered practice.

It is intended for victim advocates, case managers, social workers, healthcare providers, legal professionals, workforce development specialists, and others working to support survivors on their path toward healing and long-term recovery.

Under the Radar: Labour Exploitation and Forced Labour in Germany

Author(s): Sascha Lübbe, Filip Mitrovski (IRC Germany)
Date: 2026
Topic(s): Labor Trafficking

Human trafficking and labor exploitation also occur in Germany – including on construction sites, in agriculture, hotels, private households, and the meat-processing industry. Exploitation often remains hidden because those affected depend on their employer for work, accommodation, or their residence status. In this article, we examine the situation in Germany and explain where the line lies between a violation of labour law, labor exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking, who is particularly at risk, and what support the IRC and its partners provide through the TIES project. The TIES project is co-funded by the European Union.

The Greek National Referral Mechanism: Design, Strengths, Challenges

Author(s): IRC Germany
Date: 2026
Topic(s): Referrals

Greece has strengthened its framework to identify and support victims of trafficking through the
National Referral Mechanism (NRM), with reported identifications rising since 2022. While detection
and reporting have improved, protection outcomes still depend on recognition pathways and longterm support capacity. This report presents key trafficking indicators, explains how the NRM works, assesses strengths and gaps in Greece’s approach and offers recommendations for the future.

Supporting refugee and migrant survivors of human trafficking with parenting responsibilities

Author(s): IRC Germany / IRC Italy
Date: 2024
Topic(s): Child Trafficking

This manual, Caring for Those Who Care: Supporting Refugee and Migrant Survivors of Human Trafficking with Parenting Responsibilities, is designed to guide facilitators in delivering training for first line responders working with refugee and migrant survivors of trafficking who are also parents or caregivers. Developed by the International Rescue Committee (IRC), this updated edition builds on the IRC’s experience with the Families Make the Difference (FMD) program and its broader anti-trafficking work. The training aims to strengthen participants’ understanding of human trafficking, enhance trauma-informed support for survivors, and promote positive parenting practices that foster the wellbeing of children and families affected by forced migration and exploitation.

Am I in a Dangerous Working Situation? Self Assessment Tool

Author(s): CARRE, The International Rescue Committee (Framework)
Date: 2023
Topic(s): Capacity Building, Child Trafficking, Labor Trafficking, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

CARRE, Framework and the IRC Anti-Trafficking Technical Advisors recently developed several client and provider facing resources to help combat child labor trafficking. These resources include a one-page child and youth-facing information sheet, as well as a customizable Power Point and accompanying facilitator’s guide for staff wanting to raise awareness about labor trafficking and child labor trafficking within their community. For additional context and resources, please reference the following:

Labor Trafficking 101 Slides
Labor Trafficking 101 Facilitator’s Guide

Standard Operating Procedures for transnational referrals of VoT clients to service providers in other EU Member States

Author(s): IRC Germany
Date: 2022
Topic(s): Referrals

These Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) set out the minimum requirements for the transfer of case management, victim consent, data protection, and capacity of the receiving partner (psychosocial, case/social worker, legal) of transnational referrals of Victims of Trafficking (VoTs). They outline the required steps, responsibilities, documentation, and information necessary to successfully conclude the transfer of case management without diminishing rights and opportunities. These SOPs are set to be shared with other organizations and counseling centers supporting VoTs.

Life Skills per Adolescenti

Author(s): IRC Italy / IRC Germany
Date: 2024
Topic(s): Child Trafficking, Life Skills

The document Life Skills Curriculum for Adolescents, developed under the DIRECT project, strengthens resilience and wellbeing among young people at risk of or recovering from trafficking and other vulnerabilities. Through interactive modules on self-awareness, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and relationships, it promotes empowerment, communication, and critical thinking as protective factors. Adaptable to diverse settings, the program equips facilitators to help adolescents build autonomy, inclusion, and skills for safe, positive futures.

English translation coming soon.