NCJ Number
207794
Date Published
2004
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the reasons and criminal characteristics in the exploitation of human beings or human trafficking in the country of Georgia following the collapse of the former Soviet Union and the need for strong legislative regulation.
Abstract
Even though the collapse of the former Soviet Union removed barriers between the East and the West, thereby freeing the people from totalitarianism, social changes occurred causing a rise in a whole new set of difficulties which included organized crime and corruption. In particular, human trafficking grew into a highly attractive and lucrative business. In the country of Georgia, trafficking has become very lucrative involving both professional criminals and high-level state officials. From within Georgia, a transnational network of trafficking that recruits, transports, and exploits people for the purpose of obtaining material profit has emerged. This paper presented at the annual conference of the European Society of Criminology in 2003 begins by discussing the main reasons for trafficking in Georgia which include: (1) political destabilization and massive migration of the population from Georgia; (2) poverty; (3) prostitution; (4) children’s homelessness; and (5) imperfection of legal mechanisms in protecting victims of trafficking. Criminal characteristics of trafficking in Georgia include: (1) recruitment; (2) transit; and (3) exploitation. The impact of earlier legislation is seen as having been ineffective, and to combat human trafficking, it should become a part of international policy, constructed on a complex program including organizational, legislative, administrative, financial, scientific, propagandistic, and other measures.