The Counter-Trafficking Programme managed by the IOM office in
Mexico has provided assistance to 54 victims of trafficking, the
majority from Central America.

Since the IOM Mexico counter-trafficking programme began in May
2005, the office has provided comprehensive assistance to victims
through the establishment of assistance provider networks who work
with victims on identification; provision of shelter, medical and
psychological support, and occupational training; and return and
reintegration.  The project is funded by the United States
Government under the President's Initiative Against Trafficking in
Persons.

Of the 54 victims assisted through January 2008, 80 per cent
were from Central America and 13 per cent from South America,
primarily Argentina and Colombia.  Forty-seven were women,
with 57 per cent of them minors from Central America (Guatemala,
44%; Honduras, 19%; El Salvador, 7%) and South America (13%). 
Fifty-three per cent were victims of sexual exploitation, 39 per
cent had been trafficked for labour exploitation, and 7 per cent
confirmed that they had been victims of both sexual and labour
exploitation.  IOM provided return and reintegration
assistance to 41 per cent of the victims.

For the past three years, IOM Mexico has also worked to
strengthen the capacities of governmental institutions and civil
society, to prevent and respond to human trafficking, including the
development and dissemination of information materials to raise
awareness amongst partners and contribute to improve victim
identification.  In 2007, IOM provided training for NGOs with
funding from US State Department Bureau of Population, Refugees and
Migration (PRM).

As part of its counter-trafficking programme, IOM works closely
with several governmental institutions, including the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, the National Migration Institute, the National
Women's Institute, the Children and Family Institute and the Public
Ministry.  IOM is also currently working with consular
officials from Central and South America, both in Mexico City and
in other parts of the country.

Mexico is an important country of origin of victims of
trafficking for sexual exploitation, although cases of domestic
servitude and other forms of trafficking for labour exploitation
have been detected.  Mexico is also a transit country for
migrants from Central and South America on their way northward, as
well as a country of destination for migrants from Central
America.  Victims of trafficking in Mexico have been
identified in sexual exploitation, domestic work and other forms of
forced labour.

Mexican authorities have expressed their strong commitment to
protect the human rights of migrants and to combat human
trafficking.  Federal legislation to prevent and prosecute
human trafficking was passed in November 2007. 

For more information please contact:

Mariana Rendon

IOM Mexico

Tel: + 5255.5536.3954

E-mail: "mailto:mrendon@iom.int">mrendon@iom.int