AIG has co-authored a report setting out best practice for compensating victims of human trafficking in 20 nations.

The paper analyses the accessibility of compensation and its acceptability among victims, and makes recommendations for improvements.

The United Nations’ Palermo protocols call on countries to ensure human trafficking victims can access compensation.

The report, called Road to Recovery, identifies barriers to payouts such as eligibility criteria, exclusions based on criminal or immoral behaviour, proof requirements and immunity from prosecution and deportation.

It says schemes are more accessible, acceptable and appropriate where human trafficking is identified as a crime for which compensation is available, payout applications are free, and where physical injury is not a prerequisite.

The report recommends shorter application times, immediate emergency funding and allowing victims to apply regardless of whether they are still in a jurisdiction.

“The report reflects AIG’s ongoing commitment to providing pro-bono legal services worldwide,” AIG CEO Australia Noel Condon said. “We are confident it will prove a valuable resource, not only for victims of human trafficking in obtaining monetary redress and justice… but also for organisations committed to lobbying for changes and improvements to human trafficking laws across the 20 jurisdictions.”

The global insurer teamed up with law firm DLA Piper and the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s legal program TrustLaw on the report.