Minimum Standards of Care and Support for the Victims of Trafficking and Other Forms of Violence in South Asia

This Protocol is a collective effort of the entire membership of the Forum and its National Core Groups to provide uniform standards for institutional care in the region, be it governmental or non-governmental. The Protocol is largely applicable to victims of trafficking, but it also sufficiently addresses the care and support needs of victims of other forms of violence. The provisions in the Protocol are divided into three categories of implementation: Non-Negotiable, Non-Negotiable But with a Period of One Year to Comply, and Desirable. The Non-Negotiable provisions are those that must be strictly implemented by the government, private institutions, and the voluntary sector. The Protocol emphasizes the importance of providing quality care and support services to victims of trafficking and other forms of violence. It recommends that the issues related to victims of commercial sexual exploitation and other forms of violence be given priority attention, and that the care and support component should be strengthened in the field of social intervention by the voluntary as well as the state sector. The Protocol also suggests that a regional structure be evolved to ensure the mainstreaming of the Minimum Standards and to monitor their observance. The Regional Action Forum on Strengthening the Care of Victims/Survivors of Trafficking and Other Forms of Violence recommends that the Minimum Standards of Care and Support for the Victims of Trafficking and Other Forms of Violence be widely adopted and mainstreamed. It also urges that the Regional Victim Witness Protection Protocol (adopted by the Regional Action Forum on Improving the Implementation of Laws) be considered along with this Protocol for adoption, application, and wide dissemination. The Protocol provides detailed guidelines for the care and support of victims of trafficking and other forms of violence. It covers various aspects, including rescue, shelter homes, case management systems, repatriation, reintegration, and management and staff. The Protocol also emphasizes the importance of providing medical services, counseling services, legal assistance, and economic rehabilitation to victims of trafficking and other forms of violence. The Regional Action Forum on Strengthening the Care of Victims/Survivors of Trafficking and Other Forms of Violence is committed to ensuring that the Minimum Standards of Care and Support for the Victims of Trafficking and Other Forms of Violence are widely adopted and mainstreamed. It also urges the international community, including international organizations, donors, and governments of the South Asian region, to provide generous support and active cooperation to ensure the implementation of the Minimum Standards. The Protocol is supported by the South Asia Regional Initiative/Equity Support Program, and it is a collective effort of the entire membership of the Regional Action Forum and its National Core Groups. The authors' views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.