Invisible Victims: How Iraq Still Fails Those It Calls ‘Trafficked

The U.S. TIP report signals a rise in victim identification in Iraq — but a closer look reveals how many remain trapped in the shadows. According to the 2024 report, 335 victims were officially identified. (ECOI) In the Kurdistan Region, authorities identified 121 victims: 40 adult women in sex trafficking, 11 girls, and 70 in labor trafficking. (Kurdistan24 – کوردستان 24)

But the support for victims is severely underdeveloped. There is no dedicated children’s shelter for trafficking, and no space for LGBTQ+ survivors. (ECOI) The only shelters available are mostly run by the government, and people can only enter or exit with a judge’s order. That’s a massive restriction on their freedom. (ECOI)

In fact, many victims refuse state-run aid: 238 chose to be repatriated or referred to NGOs instead. (ECOI) This suggests deep mistrust  and for good reason. KurdFile’s take? The Iraqi and Kurdish authorities must expand protection beyond court orders. They need community-based outreach, trauma-informed care and local shelters especially in the Kurdish Region, where infrastructure lags behind.