The Protocol indicates that women and children are especially vulnerable to and targeted by transnational criminal organizations engaged in trafficking in persons, and that effective action to combat such trafficking requires a comprehensive international approach. The purpose of the Protocol is to promote and facilitate cooperation among UN member states in preventing, investigating, and punishing international trafficking in women and children for the purpose of forced labor or sexual exploitation. Articles of the Protocol cover the obligation to criminalize international trafficking crimes, assistance for and protection of trafficking victims, status of victims in receiving states, return of trafficking victims, victim rehabilitation, law enforcement measures, border controls, travel document security, document verification, and the implementation of social policies and programs to prevent trafficking in women and children.