The 30th of July marks the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

This year’s theme, “Human Trafficking is Organized Crime – End the Exploitation”, highlights a neglected crime: trafficking for forced criminality. IOM’s campaign, “Forced to Commit, Criminalized for Surviving. Let’s End the Exploitation”, calls for protecting, not punishing victims of this abuse.

Across the globe, trafficked persons – often migrants, youth, and children – are coerced into crimes like online scams, drug trafficking, and theft. Instead of being recognized as victims, they are criminalized and denied support.

Trafficking for forced criminality fuels corruption and organized crime. Criminals profit from human suffering, while victims face punishment and stigma.

To dismantle these networks, responses must focus on victim identification and survivor-centered justice. Governments, civil society, and international actors must ensure strong referral systems, reintegration support, and uphold the non-punishment principle.

IOM and partners are committed to saving lives and ensuring survivors are protected, heard, and supported, not silenced.

By listening to victims, strengthening protections, and holding traffickers accountable, we can end exploitation for good.