Background:  Ecuador is a source, transit and destination country for persons trafficked for sexual exploitation, forced labor and begging.  Many victims are children trafficked for sexual exploitation.In Ecuador, as in other countries, the roots of human trafficking are related to both supply and demand forces.  On the supply side, poverty, corruption, lack of education and job opportunities increase people’s vulnerability to trafficking.  Cases of trafficking have risen due to increased demand for sex tourism and pornography, cheap labor, and the difficulties of investigating and prosecuting organized crime.The central and local governments in Ecuador have demonstrated their commitment to combat trafficking in persons through activities that implement prevention of trafficking, protection of victims, and prosecution of offenders.

Objectives: 1)      Strengthen local policies for the prevention, protection and rehabilitation of victims of trafficking; 2)      Support the development of specialized shelter services for adult female victims of trafficking and expand existing shelter services for minor victims of trafficking; 3)      Strengthen follow-up mechanisms to support the successful reintegration of victims of trafficking into society; and4)      Promote inter-institutional mechanisms for the registry of victims of trafficking.

Activity description:  The project aims to combat TIP in Ecuador by working with the Government of Ecuador to create a national-level impact and achieve international standards in the prevention and eradication of this modern-day form of slavery.  As the National Plan to combat TIP and other forms of violence is now in place, the overall objective of this project is to assist the Government of Ecuador to implement and monitor this plan.  The project will also enhance shelter services for victims and develop mechanisms to support their successful reintegration.

Results as of 2007:  More than 30 victims of trafficking and 100 at-risk youth received integral support in eight communities in Ecuador.  State and civil society institutions have been strengthened to further the implementation of the National TIP Plan.

Major expected results through 2009:  Enhance professional services provided to TIP victims.  Provide additional reintegration support so that victims are able to contribute to the prosecution and conviction of their traffickers. Develop a database of TIP cases. 

Partners:  Ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs and Social and Economic InclusionNational Child and Family InstituteOur Youth Foundation, Quimera Foundation 

Implementing partner: IOM, International Organization for Migration 

Project duration: Two years (2007-2009)  

Investment: $800,000

Contact: Isabel Santillán USAID/Ecuador, Tel. (593-2) 398-5406, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Lucrecia Tola, USAID/Ecuador, Tel: (593-2) 398-5257, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it