A global campaign that calls for stronger action to prevent human trafficking and expand support for survivors has been launched by the United Nations migration agency.

The ‘Anyone a Victim’ initiative, launched recently by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), seeks to mobilise public engagement, raise critical funds for protection programs, and highlight that trafficking remains a widespread human rights violation worldwide.

IOM Director General Amy Pope said that human trafficking “stripped people of their rights, choices, and futures”.

“Its impact does not end when the exploitation stops. It can shape someone’s life for years. Every survivor should have access to safety, justice, and long-term support, and communities need the tools to prevent exploitation before it occurs. This campaign is a reminder that protecting people is not optional. It is a shared responsibility and a reflection of the societies we want to build,” Ms Pope said.

IOM estimates 50 million people 50 million people are living in situations of forced labour, trafficking, or forced marriage, and many are pushed into danger by conflict, disasters, and economic instability.

It says these pressures limit safe options for movement, increase people’s reliance on unsafe pathways, and expose those already facing inequality to even greater risks.

 Trafficking thrives where protection systems are weak and where people lack the means to secure safety, dignity, and stable livelihoods.

“The global campaign Anyone a Victim brings survivor experiences to the forefront and challenges misconceptions about who is at risk,” an IOM statement said.

“It highlights often overlooked stories and shows that trafficking affects people of all ages and backgrounds, encouraging public support for programmes that offer safety, assistance, and recovery.

“Through this effort, IOM aims to build a broader movement that strengthens prevention and ensures that survivors are heard and supported. The campaign reflects the growing need for rights-based and community-centred approaches across countries of origin, transit, and destination.

“At the same time, many survivors face stigma or fear reporting their experiences, while others struggle to access the services that can help them recover and regain control of their lives.

“By sharing lived experiences publicly, the campaign seeks to build understanding, counter harmful assumptions, and encourage collective action against exploitation,” IOM said.

The campaign features the voices of several IOM ambassadors including former athlete Sir Mo Farah, a survivor of human trafficking.

“I survived trafficking because someone eventually saw me, believed me, and helped me find safety,” Sir Mo Farah said.

“No child or adult should feel invisible or unprotected. Trafficking is not about a single moment. It leaves lasting marks on people’s lives, but those marks do not need to define them. When communities listen to survivors and invest in their recovery, healing becomes possible. My hope is that this campaign inspires people everywhere to stand with those who have been silenced for too long,” he said.

Learn more about the campaign here: https://donors.iom.int/page/end-trafficking?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=dmcpr&utm_campaign=trafficking-2025