Three years ago, an NTV news video on aggravated human trafficking crimes in Uganda offered a rare glimpse into the country’s efforts to rescue victims. It showed children being pulled from the streets, some resisting, others covering their faces in distress as law enforcement carried out raids in known trafficking hotspots.
The video, though well-intentioned, captured something often overlooked: the deep psychological trauma carried by survivors. For many of these children and young people, the rescue moment is not one of immediate relief, it can feel like another violation.
These are not just victims of crime. They are survivors of prolonged abuse, coercion, and exploitation. And without a trauma-informed response, well-meaning interventions can risk retraumatizing them.
At the Center on Anti-Trafficking Research and Empowerment (CATRE), we believe that how we respond to trafficking is as important as the response itself. A trauma-informed approach recognizes that survivors may be fearful, distrustful, or emotionally overwhelmed during rescue and recovery. It prioritizes safety, dignity, and choice at every step, from identification and shelter, to counseling, legal aid, and reintegration.
Rather than force or fear, we advocate for compassion, patience, and survivor-led healing.
The NTV video remains a critical visual reminder that Uganda’s anti-trafficking efforts must evolve beyond rescue operations. It calls for investment in survivor-centered systems that treat trauma not as a barrier, but as the lens through which care is delivered.
At CATRE, we are working to build such systems through training, research, and partnerships that center the lived experiences of survivors.
👉 Watch the NTV News Video: Aggravated Trafficking Tops List of Human Trafficking Crimes