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A few countries have placed forms of child slavery, such as the commercial sexual exploitation of children and child bondage, at the top of their agenda for action and have initiated concrete steps towards its elimination. Several other countries have addressed some aspects of the problem, for example in domestic service, in agriculture and in commercial sexual exploitation.

IPEC helps countries develop comprehensive responses to the problem by adopting a series of interventions at local, national, regional and international level. In a country where the practice has been identified, practical steps can be taken to start action programmes. At the regional and international level, awareness-raising and campaigns to mobilize support for action will be carried out in collaboration with relevant United Nations agencies and other international organizations.

IPEC's focus is on assisting partner organizations at the governmental and nongovernmental level to effectively prevent the problem of child trafficking so that the practice will be totally eliminated. Prevention of the problem is the key solution. Once victimized, the children suffer extreme physical, psycho-social and emotional abuse which results in lifelong and often life-threatening consequences. Simultaneously, support is extended to partner organizations to rehabilitate the child victims, not only because they need urgent help, but also because demonstration projects for the victims are a powerful tool to mobilize societies against the worst forms of child labour.