Transnational Referral Mechanism for the Victims of Trafficking
A Transnational Referral Mechanism (TRM) is a cooperative agreement between countries on cross-border transfer and care of persons who have been victims of trafficking (VoTs). The primary aims of a TRM include:
- Formal international cooperative agreement on strategies for the safe and supportive movement of victims between countries of destination, transit and/or origin;
- Standard operating procedures for effective and safe transnational referral of victims of trafficking to a range of necessary services;
- Mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the TRM.
In all measures provided in a TRM, state security needs must be balanced against the health and safety needs and the rights of trafficked persons. To be effective, TRMs should be coordinated with a country’s National Referral Mechanisms (NRM).