In the words of American Secretary of State John F. Kerry, “we find perhaps no greater threat to human dignity, no greater assault on basic freedom, than the evil of human trafficking.”

With more than 20 million people estimated to be victimised around the world by this $150 billion criminal industry according to the International Labour Organization, the struggle against modern slavery can seem daunting.

But each year, more countries pass anti-trafficking laws, more prevention efforts are initiated, more traffickers go to jail, and tens of thousands of victims are identified and taken out of harm’s way.

While these global efforts are encouraging, such initial successes do not mean victory.

After all, merely identifying victims is not the same thing as restoring what was taken away from them.

Victims of trafficking have endured not just physical injury, but a deprivation of their fundamental right to be free.

While their suffering can never be undone, governments should provide victims what they need to move forward in their journey towards becoming survivors.

What does that journey look like? It means ensuring victims have the choice to accept support and services to meet their immediate needs: trauma care, shelter, and protection from their abusers.

It takes experienced personnel and facilities to address the unique needs of trafficking victims.

The reality is that human trafficking exists in Malta and across the globe, and no government is doing a perfect job. But, we can all strive for improvement

Once free of their enslavement, victims of modern slavery will often be in a state of crisis. Many are hesitant to cooperate with authorities and some may opt to return to their abusers.

Our governments need to take all these factors into account and work closely with service providers to ensure adequate support structures are in place.

As trafficking victims advance in their recovery, they need change. They often need help getting legal representation, acquiring decent housing, and finding educational or employment opportunities.

They may need help returning home or reuniting with their family. When they may no longer desire to stay in a shelter, they may still need a supportive place where they can drop in and take advantage of available resources, or they may need immigration status to continue their recovery.

Throughout the process, governments can ensure appropriate resources are available, while empowering the survivors to make choices about their own future.

Survivors also deserve access to justice. Our governments must remain diligent in investigating and prosecuting trafficking cases, while at the same time ensuring that the judicial process does not re-traumatise victims through clumsiness or callousness.

Such structures can and should be available to victims around the world.

Finally, we cannot overlook the critical voice that survivors bring to the anti-trafficking fight as equal partners in the policy and political process and whose experiences provide invaluable guidance.

The more we listen to their voices, the more success we will find in truly pursuing a victim-centred approach.

The 2014 Trafficking in Persons Report, released by Secretary Kerry on June 20, shines a light on best practices to fight modern slavery and on areas where the global community is both succeeding and falling short in this effort.

The reality is that human trafficking exists here in Malta, in the United States, and across the globe, and no government is doing a perfect job. But, we can all strive for improvement.

Using the report as a guide, the US stands ready to work with the government of Malta to help prevent trafficking and restore victims to draw nearer to our shared vision of a world free from slavery.

Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley is US Ambassador

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