The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) through its Advocacy and Communications Committee (ADVOCOM) and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) recently launched the mobile application of the 1343 Actionline against Human Trafficking. The Quantum X, the company behind www.workabroad.ph, and the CFO developed this mobile app with the shared goals of fostering legal and safe migration and overseas employment; and eliminate human trafficking.
The 1343 Actionline is a 24/7 national hotline facility that responds to emergency or crisis calls from victims of human trafficking and their families. Since its operationalization in March 2011, the 1343 Actionline has received 21,069 calls which resulted in 296 actual cases involving 249 victims of human trafficking and other related cases such as illegal recruitment and mail-order bride scheme.
Other modes of reporting were developed such as Textline 1343, online reporting through www.1343actionline.ph, international toll-free hotlines in 16 countries, social media pages and now, through a mobile application. The strategy of using technology-based tools is being used in addressing this modern-day slavery considering technology's popularity and accessibility especially to the youth and young professionals.
The mobile app was developed in line with the core message of the IACAT, Laban Kontra Human Trafficking, Laban Nating Lahat!. This is an inter-active campaign to engage everyone in the fight against human trafficking. It has features where users can conveniently report in real-time suspected human trafficking activities with the option of attaching photographs and videos as evidences. The identities of the users will be treated with utmost confidentiality. They will also have access to information and news updates about human trafficking, and directory of IACAT member agencies.
The 1343 Actionline mobile application can now be downloaded for free from Google Play in any Android-capable devices mobile phones and tablets. For Iphone and Ipad users, it will also be available from IOS soon.
Human trafficking is a global concern and a crime against humanity. The Philippines is considered a source, transit and destination country of human trafficking victims either for labor or sexual exploitation. The fight against human trafficking poses a big challenge to the government considering that it is a continuing crime and hidden in nature where activities are usually carried out discreetly. Thus, the passage of the amended Anti-Trafficking Act in 2012 to strengthen the government’s fight against human trafficking.
