HomeEvidence, Evaluation, and Learning...Ex-post Evaluation of Trafficking in Persons Projects in Sri Lanka

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## Ex-post Evaluation of Trafficking in Persons Projects in Sri Lanka

July 2022A 2021 evaluation commissioned by the Department of State found that projects funded by the U.S. Government have made a positive impact in enhancing the Government of Sri Lanka’s capacity to address trafficking in persons and to raise the government’s awareness and interest in this issue.

## Background

The Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP) and other parts of the U.S. Government have funded at least 11 projects to combat human trafficking in Sri Lanka between 2007 and 2021.

The objectives of these J/TIP projects include:

              - Increase service provision for trafficking victims
              - Collaborate with Sri Lankan stakeholders to raise public awareness of all forms of human trafficking
              - Train Sri Lankan criminal justice system actors in using victim-centered and trauma-informed approaches to hold traffickers accountable

## Findings

The evaluation of the J/TIP projects concluded that:

              - The culmination of enhanced training, capacity building, and community awareness activities led to successful government buy-in and support.
              - Projects influenced the Government of Sri Lanka’s approach to interagency collaboration, and identification and reporting of trafficking cases.
              - Improvement is required in the services offered to victims, the Government of Sri Lanka’s coordinating trafficking in persons structures, and data collection systems.

## Recommendations

Proactively identify trafficking victims, including among undocumented migrant workers abroad, women in commercial sex, and People’s Republic of China (PRC) working on PRC government affiliated projects.

Ensure victims are not penalized for unlawful acts traffickers compelled them to commit, including through increased training of law enforcement and the judiciary.

Provide support to victims who participate in trials against their traffickers, including the cost of lodging and travel expenses during trails.

Use Section 360(C) of the penal code to prosecute child sex traffickers.

Improve victim services, including their quality and accessibility, and ensure shelter and specialized services are available for all identified victims, including men and victims exploited abroad.

## Evaluation Questions

              - Which U.S. Government efforts are perceived by government and non-government stakeholders to have had themost positive impact on the Government of Sri Lanka’s approach to trafficking in persons?
              - Which aspects of Sri Lanka’s approach to trafficking in persons are perceived to have changed as a result of specific U.S. Government programming?
              - Where has the Government of Sri Lanka played a substantial positive role in trafficking in persons projects funded by the U.S. Government? Where has the Government of Sri Lanka fallen short in its expected role?
              - What is missing from Sri Lanka’s current approach that could positively affect Sri Lanka’s approach to trafficking in persons?

## Detailed Findings

This evaluation found that capacity building, principally for Government of Sri Lanka actors, played a crucial role in engaging government officials to identify and address cases of trafficking in persons. Most changes in the Government of Sri Lanka’s approach since 2007 were either partly or directly related to U.S. Government-supported programming. The Government of Sri Lanka played an important role in trafficking projects supported by the U.S. Government. Areas cited as needing increased attention include more inclusive and institutionalized training for law enforcement, victim identification and support, and reaching divisional and district levels in expanded locations with high trafficking in persons rates. Overall, this study concluded that these anti-trafficking projects were useful and similar efforts would be valuable going forward. A commonly cited area for improvement identified by some implementers and sub-recipients included increased support services for victims of trafficking as they navigated the legal process and encountered additional challenges.

## Approach, Methods, & Data

**Evaluation Approach:**This evaluation used a mixed-methods approach that leverages primary project documentation, third-party data, and qualitative information collected through key informant interviews (KIIs) to respond to the evaluation objectives. 

**Data Collections:**Data collection included 1) document review; 2) KIIs with project implementers and their sub-grantees; 3) surveys with other key stakeholders; and 4) desk reviews of available pertinent documents related to projects in Sri Lanka, Trafficking in Persons Reports from 2007 to 2021, and government data. Four groups of KIIs provide in-depth evaluation of U.S. Government-funded projects’ engagement with the Government of Sri Lanka. Open-ended interview protocols guided the interview process. Surveys conducted by phone with five categories of participants representing a variety of stakeholder types were conducted in the preferred language of the respondent. 

## Impact by Numbers

11U.S. Government-funded projects between 2007 and 2021 to combat trafficking 

51%Increased rate of interagency collaboration in Sri Lanka due to these projects 

87%Evaluation interviews noted direct or partial attribution to U.S. Government funding 

100%Percentage of Sri Lankan trainees and actors surveyed who said they changed their approach due to these projects

## Learning Summary

As a result of the evaluation, J/TIP arranged a meeting with the Sri Lankan National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) to discuss findings. To increase collaboration between the NAHTTF and local-level stakeholders, five local NGOs from the TIP District Forums were also invited to participate in the discussion. 

J/TIP plans to: 

              - Increase the Government of Sri Lanka’s involvement with U.S. Government programs as early as possible in program design to ensure effective, sustainable interventions. 
              - Co-develop training programs with national stakeholders to institutionalize the capacity building of the Government of Sri Lanka officials. 
              - Assist the Government of Sri Lanka in formalizing their cooperation with District Forums on human trafficking throughout the country. 

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