NCJ Number
226593
Journal
Criminology and Criminal Justice Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2008 Pages: 421-442
Date Published
November 2008
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This article examines trafficking in human beings and provides an overview of legislative and policy responses to the trafficking phenomenon.
Abstract
With increase recognition of the problem of inadequate data on trafficking, there appears to be a renewed focus on the need for better data on which to build policy responses. The developments reflect a general trend at the level of governments and international inter-governmental organizations (IGOs) to collect more robust data for policy developments, particularly in the area of crime and criminal justice. The focus of trafficking has been, since the late 1980s, predominantly on sex trafficking, with less attention paid to other areas that are equally significant in terms of magnitude and impact, though the data cannot prove this assertion one way or another. Trafficking appears to be witnessing a subtle shift with respect to its focus of attention; trafficking for labor exploitation and child trafficking are increasingly receiving more attention. While many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and academic commentators would dispute the idea that trafficking is being responded to as a victim-centered crime, this article suggests that a shift can be noted in this direction, at the same time as trafficking continues to be responded to as part of the migration-crime-security’ nexus. Further, although researchers, the international community, and NGOs have recorded data on victims who experience trafficking, there is a paucity of data concerning traffickers. The other area that remains under-researched is information on the demand side of trafficking. Notes and references