Trafficking in human beings (THB) is a global phenomenon. Turkey has continuously improved its anti-trafficking response since early 2000s to prevent this crime and to support victims of trafficking and persons at risk. After its establishment in 2013, the Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) under the Ministry of Interior became the main coordinator institution in the identification, protection of trafficked persons and provision of support services to the victims.
Other stakeholders, including the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services (MoFLSS), within the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) with key roles and responsibilities for Turkey’s anti-trafficking response have contributed to Turkey’s efforts. Within this context, ICMPD Turkey has just completed the implementation of the "Enhancing Occupational Staff Capacity of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services Working in the Field of Woman on Fight Against Human Trafficking" (SHIFT) project. Funded by UK (or UK Commonwealth and Foreign Office), six basic anti-THB trainings were successfully delivered between August 2019 – January 2020, reaching in total 245 occupational staff of MoFLSS working at the Violence Prevention and Monitoring Centres (VPMCs) and shelter for women; equipping them with relevant skills and knowledge in identification and referral of victims of trafficking. A complementary guidebook was produced for in-service use of the Directorate General on the Status of Women (DGSW) under MoFLSS to facilitate the continuation of capacity building. This targeted capacity building and awareness raising project has also contributed to the enhancement of inter-institutional cooperation among relevant stakeholders within the scope of the Turkish NRM.