NCJ Number
207415
Journal
International Review of Victimology Volume: 11 Issue: 1 Dated: 2004 Pages: 89-110
Date Published
2004
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This article analyzes the development of “good practice” models for victims of sex trafficking.
Abstract
Recent publications and policy guides have focused on recommending “good practices” in criminal justice and human rights responses to victims of sex trafficking. The current analysis focuses on these good practices in terms of three main issues: (1) clarification of the concept of “good practice;” (2) consideration of cross-national and comparative criminal justice practice between jurisdictions that impact the replication of “good practice;” and (3) the role of the victim in different criminal justice jurisdictions. The author offers a six-point checklist of “good practice” guidelines that include positive results, innovation, sustainability, replication, cooperation, and ethical considerations. In discussing cross-national and comparative issues in the transnational replication of “good practice,” the author draws in her research of victim-centered practices in 15 European Union States. The “good practice” standard is considered against the reality of criminal justice practice in different jurisdictions. Countries should strive to compare their own victim and criminal justice responses with those of countries at a similar level of criminal justice development and ideology. Next, suggestions for “good practice” are critiqued in cases in which there has not been ample examination of the place of victim-centered justice in different jurisdictions. Examples are offered from witness/victim protection programs in European Union jurisdictions. The author asserts that recommendations on “good practice” should not be made without specific information of the current provisions on offer to other types of victims in the same jurisdiction. Without this type of consideration, there will be a great divide between what is offered to victims of trafficking on paper and what exists in reality. Tables, notes, references