Click On Any Topic Below (if you wish to avoid scrolling):
| The Global Strategy |
The truth of the matter is that in order to prevent trafficking and successfully punish those who traffick women, we need to overcome the problems that lead to trafficking. This involves working with other countries on both social and political levels to strengthen unstable border security, increase public awareness, and enforce laws worldwide against trafficking. Uncoveruing, investigating, and prosecuting trafficking in women cases while protecting, and assisting trafficking victims is a complicated and resource-intensive task. The initiatives already taken by the EU and United States will be greatly reduced if other countries of origin and transit do not match these initiatives. To prevent trafficking, it is essential to address the social and economic differences which push people to accept offers that put them in a dangerous situation. There need to be measures taken to narrow gender gaps and improve the overall situation of women in the labour markets.
1996 - EU became actively engaged by developing a comprehensive approach towards the prevention of and fight against trafficking.
1996 - Mandate for Europol extended to enable the organization to combat trafficking in humans.
1996 (November) - STOP program launched to support actions of those fighting against and preventing trafficking in humans.
1997 (February) - Joint Action developed calling on Member States of EU to review their national criminal legislation regarding trafficking, as well as encouraging protection of victims in judicial proceedings.
1997 - DAPHNE Initiative was launched to combat violence against children, young people, and women.
2000 (December) - DAPHNE Program launched which specifically included protection from trafficking in women and children.
- The Department of State is working jointly with the European Union, the Group of Eight, and the United Nations, as well as the Governments of Israel, Italy, and Ukraine, to combat trafficking.
- The United States and the European Union formally launched an information campaign, kicked off in November 1997 by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, to combat trafficking in women and girls and to warn potential victims of methods used by traffickers. The United States supports a public awareness campaign in Ukraine and the European Union supports a similar campaign in Poland.
- The Department of State and the Department of Justice are training foreign immigration and law enforcement personnel to effectively implement border security and identify traffickers and victims of trafficking.
- They are also training foreign judges and prosecutors regarding enhanced enforcement of laws against trafficking.
- The Department of State funded the development of a comprehensive database on U.S. and international legislation protecting women and children from commercial sexual abuse. The project is analyzing laws, penalties, sentencing patterns, reporting requirements, law enforcement capabilities, extradition practices and victim assistance programs. An expected outcome of this project is prototype legislation and guidelines on enforcement and victim protection.
The trafficking issue is gaining greater attention in the United States and worldwide. The problem is now being addressed as a priority by the U.S. Administration and Congress. Other countries and international organizations are also placing new emphasis on the problem. The strategy being devised will prevent the spread of trafficking, protect the victims, and prosecute the individuals and groups engaged in the crime.
There is now public awareness through USAID's anti-trafficking campaigns to warn potential victims of the dangers of entering into unconventional employment schemes. Reducing the supply of potential victims, however, is only part of the solution. Victims rescued from traffickers will require social services and humanitarian assistance, from counseling to health care and possibly physical protection against revenge from the traffickers.
For fiscal years 1998 and 1999, the U. S. government devoted $10 million to fund anti-trafficking measures. The amount reflects an increased sensitivity to the economic, social, and psychological dimensions of the problems posed by trafficking.
Prevention. Job training and legitimate employment opportunities are the surest methods of prevention. USAID supports job training centers serving women. The NIS-US Women's Consortium, funded by USAID, is working to establish trafficking prevention centers and providing grants to local nongovernmental organizations participating in public information campaigns.
Protection. Women who have been victims of traffickers often require protection against retaliation if they are to cooperate with authorities and testify about their experiences. These women may require medical care, counseling, and other services if they are return to their communities or try to live normal lives. The NIS-US Women's Consortium is helping support clinics offering free legal services for trafficking victims.
Prosecution. Victims, however, too often are subject to prosecution by authorities who do not recognize trafficking as the principal crime but instead seize the victim for violating immigration, employment, or anti-prostitution laws. U.S. agencies are helping train border-control officers to detect trafficking transport patterns and fraudulent travel documentation.