“The idea of a trafficked person used to be basically a stereotype of a woman that was brought into prostitution. Now the profile of a trafficked person is becoming more and more expanded because nowadays we have an increasing number of men, who are trafficked for labor purposes,” he said.

For example, many trafficked men from Asia find themselves in the fishing sector in Africa. Many African women have been trafficked to Asia.

Men, women and children may be abducted or lured into trafficking with the promise of a better life.

Hart said, “Often times what happens is that the person, to have specific work, a specific job, has to pay an intermediary. And the intermediary is asking for some money for that and the person does not necessarily have that money. So he says, ‘I will pay you back.’ Then that becomes a bond because that debt (is) never paid back or because that debt seems to be never-ending.”

Prior to the new agreement, the IOM and the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime already worked closely in many parts of Africa, as well as Colombia in South America.

“Basically, our cooperation with UNODC is related to capacity building. So, how to strengthen existing referral mechanisms, shelters and training of, for example, the judiciary, the law enforcement and the civil society which are involved in the counter trafficking,” he said.

IOM also offers direct assistance to trafficking victims to help them return home.