NCJ Number
199042
Journal
Trends in Organized Crime Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: Winter 2000 Pages: 32-43
Editor(s)
James Finckenauer
Date Published
2000
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This paper presents information solicited from U.S. embassies and consulates from around the world on the extent of trafficking in their countries and the host governments’ efforts to address the problem.
Abstract
Trafficking has reached staggering dimensions around the globe. Over the past year, at least 700,000 and possibly as many as 4 million men, women, and children worldwide were bought, sold, transported and held against their will in slave-like conditions. Economic and political instability greatly increase the likelihood that a country will become a source of trafficking victims. In October 2000, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act was enacted to combat trafficking, to ensure the just and effective punishment of traffickers, and to protect victims. In this paper, U.S. embassies and consulates from around the world report on the extent of trafficking in their host countries and the host governments’ efforts to address the problem of trafficking. Their reports reflect discussions with host governments, local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations, immigration officials, police, journalists, academics, and victims. In addition information was reviewed from other sources including other U.S. Government agencies, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organization for Migration, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the Protection Project, the media, academics, and foreign governments.