NCJ Number
176866
Date Published
1998
Length
170 pages
Annotation
Trafficking in human beings in Central and Eastern Europe was examined with respect to its occurrence in the relationships between Poland and Hungary on the one hand and Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany on the other hand, with emphasis on the administrative, social, and criminal laws involved and actions recommended to address the problem.
Abstract
Results of a literature review and interviews revealed that economic factors including inflation, a decline in the standard of living, and unemployment led to an increase in the number of perpetrators and victims coming from the countries of Central and eastern Europe. Increased competition in the Polish and Hungarian prostitution markets also increased, while prices of these services declined. Poland now acts largely as a transit zone and destination country for people from Eastern Europe. Women who are actually victims of trafficking in human beings are sometimes brought to Belgium, the Netherlands, or Germany and employed with au pair status. In addition, traffickers often pretend that East European workers are employed by an East European company and are working as subcontractors in Western Europe. Current criminal laws in the countries of origin are inadequate for dealing with the situation, while those in the target countries are adequate. Recommended changes focus on laws and procedures in each of the three areas of law and on an integrated approach to the problem. However, the discrepancy in economic welfare between East and West is the underlying problems that forms the basis for the extensive migration flows. Footnotes