Norma Ferrer is a human rights defender, lawyer, and has a master’s degree in law and international relations. She has authored research articles for Transparencia Venezuela on topics like, institutional integrity of the penal system, asset recovery, international sanctions, corruption and migration in the context of Covid-19. Ferrer is a researcher for Exodo, A.C. where she identifies and supports the victims of human trafficking. She also researches the impact of corruption on girls, adolescents and women in the context of Venezuelan human mobility. Ferrer also writes articles for scientific journals as well as national and international academic publications.  

IVLP Impact Award Project: Ground Up - Preventing Trafficking in Persons in Teenage Women

This project was created to prevent the trafficking of teenage girls in Venezuela. It was developed in response to the disappearance of teenage girls from high schools in an area allegedly linked to human trafficking networks. This project consisted of training sessions, research and activities that seek to empower teenage girls to understand and identify practices of trafficking in persons in the community. Project activities took place in a town with complex humanitarian emergencies and high criminal activity. The mission is to care for teenagers who may be victims of trafficking and provide them with the tools to prevent them from being susceptible to falling into trafficking networks.

" We must find the way to expand the impact of the project to most schools in Venezuela. " - A Participating School Staff Member

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Norma was a participant in the IVLP Project Combating Trafficking in Persons, organized by the U.S. Department of State and American Councils for Internationl Education.

Norma's exchange experience led to the development of her IVLP Impact Award Project: "The IVLP was a great opportunity to learn new and different approaches in the prevention, protection and prosecution of trafficking in persons. The way civil society organizations work together with the State is inspiring and makes me think about the possibility that someday in my country we could achieve this synergy. Victim orientation is a valuable asset that I would like to implement through institutional changes and in the attention provided by organizations."

U.S. Communities Visited Virtually

San Francisco, CA; Denver, CO; Washington, DC; Miami, FL; Louisville, KY; Detroit, MI

Country: Venezuela

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