Annual Index of Government Expenditure on Prevention of Exploitation

In 2023, only 18,774 prosecutions occurred globally, leading to only 7115 convictions, with only 133,948 victims identified officially. And yet, the number of people estimated to be victims of modern slavery (forced labor/sex trafficking) is at least 27.5 million. Only 0.48% of victims are identified.

Vulnerability is in the billions; hundreds of millions are directly affected, and direct victims are estimated in the tens of millions. Systemic under-investment in prevention has led to greater risk, more vulnerability and more victimization with less deterrence, prevention and potential for sustainable development.

In order to develop and maintain an accurate account of governmental revenues to combat human trafficking, Praeveni will issue an annual index which tracks government expenditure on policies, strategies and practices preventing exploitation.

It is intended that the annual release of the Index will be prior to the G20 meetings held each November.

To underscore the need for a thorough examination and consolidated index, it is worth a brief overview of some recent disclosures by three of the most active Global North governments on this issue:

The United States government has led the implementation of legislation and the level of spending. As of 1st October 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime managed more than 500 anti-trafficking awards totaling more than $350 million.¹ In 2000, the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons was created at the Department of State. In 2023, it received an annual budget of US$30 million,² while the Office of Trade at the Customs and Border Protection, which has been responsible for banning the import of goods into the U.S. made with forced labor, received US$70.3 million in 2023.³ The Department of Homeland Security received US$50 million during 2021,⁴ and since 2001 the U.S. Agency for International Development has provided US$301 million in grants across 88 countries.⁵ (terminated in 2025). Finally, in 2023, the Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) received US$210 million to be spent over four years.⁶ In 2025, funding for U.S. Agency for International Development was withdrawn⁷ and approximately $500 million in grants for combatting child labor, forced labor and trafficking for the Bureau of International Labor Affairs in the Department of Labor was cancelled.⁸

In 2015, the UK government passed new legislation in the form of the Modern Slavery Act and began developing various activities across government departments and agencies. It was estimated that these various initiatives received at least GBP98 million (US$115M) in 2023,⁹ though GBP 83 million was spent on victim care services (likely over a number of years). This is a considerable increase from the GBP 7 million (US$9M) in 2007.

The Australian government has also pursued anti-modern slavery agendas with the former spending Aus$24 million ($US15M) on support for victims,¹⁰ Aus$8 million (US$5M) to support the new Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s office and approximately AUS$15 million (US$10M) to support an audit of government supply chains and anti-forced marriage program.¹¹

Annual Index of Government Expenditure on Prevention of Exploitation

Praeveni Global is the trade name of Praeveni US Inc, a Delaware 501c3 exempt entity.