By JoAnne Wadsworth, Communications Consultant, G20 Interfaith Forum.
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On May 29th, 2025, the G20 Interfaith Forum, in partnership with Praeveni Global, hosted a webinar on “Developing Frontline Anti-Trafficking Services” as part of a monthly series commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Palermo Protocol, leading up to the G20 in South Africa in November. The webinar’s panel included Father M. Jeffery Bayhi, a priest with 45 years of experience who founded Metanoia, an organization dealing with trafficked girls; Tatiana Kotlyarenko, an international expert on gender-based violence and human trafficking who served as advisor on anti-trafficking issues at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; and Dr. Kelsey Morgan, co-founder and CEO of Everfree, a global nonprofit dedicated to ending abuse and exploitation through survivor-led solutions. The webinar was moderated by Duncan Jepson, Director of Strategy and Operations at Praeveni Global.
The panel opened with a fundamental challenge facing anti-trafficking organizations: how to strategically allocate limited resources when faced with overwhelming need. Dr. Morgan highlighted the stark reality that very few survivors ever access services, and those who do enter systems that are under-resourced and overwhelmed, with staff asked to collect data on top of their direct care responsibilities.
All panelists agreed that current efforts reach less than one percent of trafficking victims globally. Kotlyarenko emphasized that scaling requires government partnership rather than leaving the burden entirely on civil society organizations, stressing the need for multidisciplinary partnerships between government, civil society, and private business. Fr. Bayhi cautioned against one-size-fits-all approaches, noting that even within his facility caring for 11 children, each has completely different needs and trauma levels.
The Relational Foundation of Healing
Fr. Bayhi brought particular emphasis to the relational aspects of survivor care, arguing that technical skills alone are insufficient for effective healing. He provided crucial insight into survivors’ mindset, explaining:
“Most of them have been treated as property, and they know they’re expendable. They know no one’s invested in them for anything other than the money they can make off of them.”
Kotlyarenko supported this approach, referencing her work on National Referral Mechanisms that emphasize having independent advocates who can guide survivors through their entire journey without requiring them to repeat their stories multiple times. She stressed that consistency and trusted relationships are fundamental to the healing process. Fr. Bayhi’s organization uses a model where caregivers are available 24/7 rather than working in shifts, ensuring survivors have constant, reliable support during their most vulnerable moments.
Professionalization and Accreditation
A central theme throughout the discussion was the urgent need to professionalize anti-trafficking services. Kotlyarenko made a powerful argument against the current informal approach:
It cannot be “I decided that I’m going to run a shelter for victims of trafficking tomorrow,” and then I do so. It shouldn’t work like this.
She emphasized that working with trafficking victims requires the same level of professional training and oversight as other complex human services.
Dr. Morgan supported this perspective, advocating for systems that prioritize meaningful outcomes over bureaucratic requirements. She argued:
“We need to design our systems not for what funders want, not to fill out a report and get non-helpful data that sits in a system that’s never used, but to design systems that are low burden, integrated into service delivery, and collecting data on the actual outcomes we’re working towards.”
The panel discussed how unlicensed organizations can actually become centers of further exploitation, making proper accreditation crucial for victim safety.
Data-Driven Approaches and Technology
Dr. Morgan detailed how her organization developed the Freedom Life Map tool to make individualized assessment more efficient while maintaining quality care. She explained that effective scaling requires understanding individual needs and whether services are actually leading to recovery. The tool helps case managers spend less time on administrative tasks and more time providing direct support.
The panel also addressed the potential role of AI in hotline services, with both Kotlyarenko and Dr. Morgan expressing caution. Kotlyarenko noted that while AI could handle initial language customization, crisis situations must be transferred directly to experienced and trained human responders. Both emphasized that human guidance and management remain essential, particularly for people in dangerous situations.
Faith-Based Organizations and Inclusive Care
The discussion highlighted the significant role faith-based organizations play in frontline services, particularly in developing countries where they often provide the only available services. Kotlyarenko noted seeing exceptional services provided by nuns in Spain who respected and supported survivors of different faiths in practicing their own religions.
Dr. Morgan emphasized that faith can be powerful in healing when approached professionally and inclusively, with choice and cultural responsiveness as core principles. However, she cautioned against coercive approaches that require participation in religious activities to access services. The panel agreed that faith-based organizations, like all service providers, require proper training in trauma-informed and victim-centered approaches.
Prevention and Resource Allocation
The webinar concluded with discussions about prevention strategies and optimal resource allocation. Dr. Morgan advocated for data-driven approaches to prevention, noting that effective prevention requires understanding the unique combination of factors that, when addressed, can prevent exploitation. She emphasized that supporting survivors effectively is itself a form of prevention, as it breaks cycles of re-exploitation.
Kotlyarenko stressed the importance of addressing impunity in the criminal justice system, arguing that stopping traffickers from making money and ensuring they face jail time will reduce participation in these crimes. She advocated for thorough financial investigations and holding companies accountable for trafficking in their supply chains. The panel agreed that sustainable change requires government investment rather than relying solely on NGOs and civil society organizations.
Conclusion
The webinar emphasized that developing effective frontline anti-trafficking services requires a fundamental shift toward professionalization, survivor-centered approaches, and systematic accountability. While the challenge of scale remains daunting, the panelists agreed that focusing on quality, professional standards, and individualized care provides the foundation for meaningful expansion of services.
Duncan Jepson thanked the participants and mentioned that the next webinar would focus on the apparel industry.
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JoAnne Wadsworth is a Communications Consultant for the G20 Interfaith Forum Association and Editor of the Viewpoints Blog.