b )  Human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation During the GBV rapid assessment, some of the Venezuelans shared their experiences being smuggled into Guyana and trafficked. Some of them mentioned that they heard from other friends and relatives about opportunities to make money in Guyana by working in bars, hotels and nightclubs. Some of these women are coming by their own means, knowing that they will work in sex work  ( 'shopping' ) , but are not fully aware of the work conditions. Some of them were working in the mines in Venezuela, for example in San Martin, known as a mining and commercial area in Venezuela. Others are brought by friends or tourist companies with the promise to work in other types of work such as in cleaning, cooking in the mines, etc. Reportedly, transportation costs, accommodation and meals are paid by the person bringing them to Guyana. Once they arrive in the country, they are secretly transported to Georgetown or Bartica, locked in a house and instructed to pay a high amount of money  ( between 200 to 700 USD )  for their transportation, food and accommodation. Once the debt is paid, the person is supposed to be let go. Some reported being regularly robbed when they were trying to save money to pay the debt. Those who work in bars face a lot of risks such as aggressive clients, sexual violence, and abuse. Since 2018, more and more survivors of GBV and victims of trafficking have been identified in Guyana. For survivors of GBV and trafficking, access to assistance and support from relevant UN agencies and government authorities is not systematic or guaranteed. In a meeting with the Head of the Counter Trafficking in Persons Unit in the Government, various challenges that victims of trafficking in persons have to be granted a legal immigration status in Guyana were highlighted. Despite the fact that victims of trafficking cooperate with the judiciary to have the perpetrators prosecuted, they are not granted a legal immigration status in Guyana and have to either be repatriated to their countries of origin or follow all the requirements from the Immigration Unit to regularize their immigration status in the country as any other foreigners in the country. The Counter  Trafficking Unit, in collaboration with IOM, has been working on sensitizing communities in key locations through the use of information, education and communication  ( IEC )  materials. These materials contain information on the laws in Guyana in relation to trafficking in persons, the rights of victims of trafficking, procedures to report any incident of trafficking, and relevant contact numbers. These materials are available in English and Spanish. The Head of the Counter Trafficking Unit highlighted the fact that sex work in Venezuela is legal while in Guyana it is illegal so Venezuelans need to be made aware of this, particularly since there are organizations bringing Venezuelan women to the country to engage in sex work. With regards to shelters for victims of trafficking in persons, it was mentioned at the meeting that the Ministry of Social Protection has shelters and transitional spaces, and depending on the status of the case of a victim of trafficking, the person may be placed in one or the other. Venezuelans who have been victims of trafficking in persons have access to these shelters and transitional spaces according to the Head of the Counter Trafficking Unit. However, some of them prefer to be placed in apartments, which are provided by the Counter Trafficking Unit with the support from IOM. Food and financial assistance are also provided to the victims of trafficking. If the victim is a Guyanese then assistance with livelihood activities will be considered and provided, As for the Venezuelans, it is challenging if they don't speak the language and don't have the residency or work permit required to open their own business in Guyana. The success rate of the initiative of finding livelihood activities for victims of trafficking has been low. The Unit has been able to offer limited psychosocial support in Georgetown area through a bilingual individual. With regards to minors being trafficked, the Head of the Counter Trafficking Unit mentioned that cases of minors have been identified and assistance is being provided. No specific data was provided, however, it was mentioned that boys are usually trafficked for labor exploitation unlike girls that are usually trafficked for sexual exploitation