Around the world today, millions of victims of human trafficking are going unnoticed.
Victims’ voices are key to preventing this crime, supporting other survivors, and bringing perpetrators to justice.
The first-ever Global Forum for Human Trafficking Survivors – Voices of Resilience will bring together survivor leaders, service providers and civil society organizations to promote a survivor-centered approach to improve anti-trafficking efforts globally.
The forum, organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) with the financial support of the European Union (EU), will take place on 24 and 25 June 2025 at the Vienna International Centre in Vienna, Austria.
Human trafficking leaves survivors with lasting physical, emotional, and psychological scars. Too often, their voices go unheard in policies and programmes intended to support them. But survivors are not just victims of exploitation; they are leaders, advocates, and experts in shaping meaningful solutions.
On 22 November 2021, the United Nations General Assembly called for the active involvement of survivors in shaping anti-trafficking, victim-centered, and trauma-informed efforts.
The forum will place survivors at the centre and highlight the importance of listening to and learning from them.
Through discussions on protection, assistance, and leadership, the event will create a safe space for them to share their views, strengthen networks, and contribute to more effective policies and support systems.
By ensuring that those with lived experiences have a leading role, the forum will mark a significant step towards a more inclusive, survivor-driven response to human trafficking.
Voices of Resilience is part of the project “Promoting Action and Cooperation among Countries at Global Level against Trafficking in Human Beings and the Smuggling of Migrants” (PACTS) funded by the EU.
