For many years, the program has been effective. For example, the four-year US-Philippine partnership, which began under the first Trump administration and ended in 2021, helped protect hundreds of children. 350 children were rescued and supported, and almost 100 potential criminals arrested. The same goes for the new cut Record level Images of child sexual abuse online have been discovered.
“The victims and perpetrators come from diverse regions and countries and emphasize the need for ongoing international engagement and coordinated efforts to address these crimes in a comprehensive manner.” said an employee of a South American child protection group who works to combat human trafficking and online sexual abuse. Like others in this story, the organization was recognized as anonymous, given the sensitive nature of the work and the uncertainty about future funding. “These funding disruptions inevitably limit the scope and scope of these important services.”
One person who works for an organization that runs multiple child protection projects says operations in one country in southeastern Europe are widely disrupted. In the country, the organization’s projects have 147 victims of human trafficking, the person says. “Continuous suspensions and potentially funding halts will have a significant impact on our ability and our ability to provide essential services to these victims who are in a vulnerable stage of recovery, of which we are in. Some of them have participated in ongoing programs for psychosocial counseling related to their trauma,” the person says.
Several members of LWOB say the children are at greater risk in projects run in East Africa. “These children may not be identified. Practices to reduce their trauma are not supported right now,” says Ryckman. “Even if they are identified, they may be placed in a pipeline where they have to face ongoing interviews about their trauma.
The LWOB, along with its partner organizations, has identified around 200 victims of human trafficking in Tanzania, saying that the majority are lit up by safe homes. “Most funding for a safe home has been suspended, meaning that the services and needs of the victims have also been suspended,” McWare said. She says the organization has previously linked shelter to investigators. “The victims may not be able to connect well with law enforcement right now,” McWare said.
In addition to directly assisting victims, many efforts provide training or technical assistance to police to help them better investigate crimes. One program listed in State Department’s list of human trafficking The funds say it provides training to combat online child sex exploitation for 10,000 police officers, prosecutors and judges from 100 countries.
Those with links to work in a European country say their organization has 74 investigations of ongoing human traffickers and 66 ongoing prosecutions. They say changes in funding will “have a serious and negative impact on these criminal trials” and will provide safety for those who may give evidence in the case.
Ryckman, a borderless lawyer, says the organization recently completed work on an online database to identify victims in Kenya and track online child exploitation. Although databases are functional, future work to train people is suspended, slowing down system ingestion. “I believe it will be used and it’s very useful,” says Ryckman. “But these victims are there now. They shouldn’t have to wait.”
