Championing the Fight Against Human Trafficking
Learn how USAID’s new Agency Counselor Clinton White is elevating counter trafficking in persons efforts
Human trafficking is estimated to be a $150 billion business — which makes it the second largest criminal industry globally. USAID understands that protecting individuals who face limited opportunities in their native countries can reduce their risk of exploitation, particularly in regions affected by human-made conflicts and disasters exacerbated by climate change.
During his 20-year career as a USAID Foreign Service Officer, new Agency Counselor Clinton White has been touched by the stories of these individuals who were seeking better opportunities for themselves and their families but instead fell victim to human traffickers.
In recognition of January’s National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, USAID’s Countering Trafficking in Persons (C-TIP) Team spoke with Counselor White to learn about his personal stake in countering trafficking and his vision for the Agency to promote awareness and address one of the worst rights violations that anyone could endure.
What inspires your personal investment in C-TIP?
Over the course of my career, I have encountered stories of human trafficking survivors — many who suffer lasting mental, physical and economic stress — which have stayed with me and have fueled my desire to seek justice on their behalf.
I once received a phone call from a trafficking victim in sub-Saharan Africa, who described his experience of being ensnared by a trafficker and how he was trapped in an abusive situation and was witness to others being beaten and raped. He didn’t know how to escape, though the possibility of being killed for seeking assistance and having a better life was worth the risk.
Stories like these have kept me up at night and have compelled me to seek justice for survivors, many of whom are from vulnerable groups that are increasingly becoming commodified.
I’ve also been inspired by Jean-Louis Romanet Perroux, the director of the North African Policy Initiative, who conducted the USAID-supported study on Human Trafficking, Smuggling, and Governance in Libya: Implications for Stability and Programming. He helped me gain a better understanding and context in the Middle East region on human trafficking, smuggling, and the connection to governance.
Additionally my daughter, who is a budding artist, has galvanized me in this space. Influenced by her experiences abroad in which she became cognizant of the value placed on individuals in the trafficking industry, she incorporated these themes into an art project for her high school class. If our children are consciously aware of the risks, then it’s imperative we collectively take action to remedy this crime. While no single action will resolve this extremely complex issue, the cost of doing nothing is too great.
What is USAID’s comparative advantage in C-TIP efforts?
Trafficking does not occur in isolation, rather it’s a multi-dimensional, complex problem that often intersects with other issues we are invested in at USAID, such as migration and climate change. USAID has technical expertise across a wide range of sectors and local knowledge on the types of trafficking prevalent, including a diverse partnership of stakeholders, such as host governments, civil society organizations, survivors, media, and the private sector.
We have a presence in origin, transit, and destination countries, which means we can provide countering-trafficking in persons interventions throughout the trafficking chain. Our local staff also provide in-country expertise and important cultural context to best serve and safeguard these populations most susceptible to trafficking.
Also, our commitment to a survivor-centered approach means that our ultimate goal is to empower individuals and help them forge a new path born of healing — while not re-traumatizing them.
How can we elevate the human trafficking portfolio at USAID?
During my time in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean region, I advocated for the inclusion of counter trafficking initiatives across all USAID programming to ensure the most marginalized and those most vulnerable to trafficking were included.
In that region, we also have programs that support survivors of trafficking, such as in Trinidad and Tobago, where USAID has expanded our protection and support services for survivors, and improved the quality of treatment, care, and support to victims.
Additionally, we need to bring more human trafficking champions into the discussion, who have in-depth knowledge of the complex layers of the issue and understand the needs and concerns of survivors — to brainstorm solutions and seek ways to gain visibility with those in the position to make real and lasting change in regulations, protection measures, and accountability.
As Agency Counselor, I plan to prioritize our countering trafficking efforts across the Agency — so that we can provide survivors hope for a future in which no one has to undergo what they have.
Only collectively can we help address this human rights violation and bring hope to survivors as they rebuild their lives.
About the Authors
Agnes Varghese, Jessica Benton Cooney, Kelly Cronen, and Janice Lam work for USAID’s Center for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance.
