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Combating Modern-Day Slavery: Issues in Identifying and Assisting Victims of Human Trafficking Worldwide

NCJ Number
232505
Journal
Victims & Offenders Volume: 3 Issue: 2 & 3 Dated: April 2008 Pages: 245-257
Author(s)
Jane Nady Sigmon
Date Published
April 2008
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article examines the issues surrounding the global problem of human trafficking.
Abstract
Owning a slave is illegal in all countries, yet modern-day slavery exists around the world and it is known today as human trafficking or trafficking in persons. The form it takes changes as vulnerable people seek work to survive, sometimes migrating far from home. Traffickers in human beings use force, fraud, and coercion to exploit and profit from the forced labor and servitude of men, women, and children in settings such as brothels, factories, agriculture, fishing, and mining. Human trafficking is now recognized as a global challenge that requires a global response and most countries have joined as parties to key international instruments designed to prevent and suppress human trafficking, and punish human traffickers. However, effective prevention, enforcement of laws, and protection and assistance envisioned for victims of human trafficking are not a reality in many countries. As a result many traffickers go unpunished and many victims of human trafficking are not identified and assisted. (Published Abstract)