Global Problems, Global Solutions InterUniversity Conference Carnegie Mellon University February 21,

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Global Problems, Global SolutionsInter-Universi
ty Conference Carnegie Mellon University
February 21, 2009The Project to End Human
Traffickingwww.endhumantrafficking.orgCarlow
UniversityMary C. Burke, Ph.D.
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Overview of Presentation

• Human Trafficking Defined
• International Framework
• Overview of Human Trafficking What We Know
• Underlying Factors
• Victim Experience
• Efforts to Combat Slavery

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Human Trafficking is Slavery

• Trafficking in humans refers to all acts
• related to the recruitment, transport,
• sale, or purchase of individuals through
• force, fraud or other coercive means for
• the purpose of economic exploitation.
  
• (UN Protocol on Trafficking, 2000)

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An International Framework

• In September 2000, at the United Nations
  Millennium Summit, there was agreement to a set
  of time bound (2015) and measurable goals for
  combating poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy,
  environmental degradation and discrimination
  against women.
• Placed at the heart of the global agenda, they
  are now called the Millennium Development Goals
  (MDGs).
• The MDGs provide a framework for the entire UN
  system to work coherently together towards a
  common end.
• The UN Development Group (UNDG) will help ensure
  that the MDGs remain at the center of those
  efforts.

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Millennium Development Goals

• 1. Eradicate Extreme Hunger Poverty
• 2. Achieve Universal Primary Education
• 3. Promote Gender Equality
• 4. Reduce Child Mortality
• 5. Improve Maternal Health
• 6.Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria ( other diseases)
• 7. Ensure Environmental Sustainability
• 8. Develop a Global Partnership for development

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An Overview of TraffickingWhat We Know
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How Many People are Enslaved?

• International Labor Organization (ILO ) estimates
  there are 12.3 million people in forced labor,
  bonded labor, forced child labor, and sexual
  servitude.
• Research by Dr. Kevin Bales indicates that 27
  million people are enslaved worldwide at any
  given time (1999).
• Dr. Kathryn Farrs research shows that 4 million
  people are enslaved worldwide (2005).

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In the United States

• The United States Department of State estimates
  that 600,000 to 800,000 individuals are
  trafficked across international borders each year
  (TIP, 2006, 2007, 2008).
• Of these, the State Department reports that
  14,500 to 17,500 people are trafficked into the
  United States each year.

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Who is Trafficked into Slavery?

• Data suggest that women and girls comprise 80 of
  the individuals trafficked across international
  borders.
• Approximately 70 of victims are trafficked for
  commercial sexual exploitation.
• TIP Report (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)

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Human Trafficking in Contrast to Other Criminal
Industries

• Trafficking in persons is the fastest-growing and
  second largest criminal industry in the world
  today.
• It is second in size only to drug trafficking and
  (fluctuates from 2nd to 3rd along with the
  illegal arms industry).

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Forms of Human Trafficking/Slavery

• Labor Trafficking
• Domestic servitude Janitorial services
• Agricultural labor Food service
  industry
• Sweatshop labor Begging
• Sex Trafficking
• Street work Dancers
• Brothels Pornography
• Massage parlors Mailorder brides

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The Economics of Human Trafficking
Supply
Demand
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Supply Factors

• Poverty
• Political instability/armed conflict
• Real or perceived opportunity for a better life
• Absence of social safety net
• Absence of employment opportunities
• Status of/violence against women children

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Demand Factors

• Demand for sex work
• Demand for prostitution and other aspects of the
  sex industry is high throughout the world.
• Demand for cheap labor
• Corporations seek to produce their product at the
  lowest possible cost.
• Potential profits are very high
• Trafficked persons can be bought and sold many
  time.

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Methods of Control

• Finances
• Identification Documents
• Psychological Physical Violence

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Living and Working Conditions Faced by
Trafficking Victims

• Physically demanding work
• Under constant watch or supervision
• Physical and psychological abuse and/or trauma
• Threats of physical harm or deportation
• Long hours little or no compensation

• Isolation from the public and from other victims
• High risk for work-related injuries
• High risk for sexually transmitted diseases
• Little or no medical attention
• Malnourishment

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Victim Experiences/Characteristics

• Feelings of shame
• Fear of others, including potential helpers
• Fear of reprisal from traffickers
• May not speak English
• May have difficulty trusting potential helpers
• Not present or even perceive themselves as victims

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Internationl and U.S. Efforts to Combat Human
Trafficking

• Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish
  Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and
  Children (United Nations Convention against
  Transnational Organized Crime)
• Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of
• 2000 (reauthorized 2003, 2005, 2008)
• Defined severe forms of human trafficking
• Made human trafficking a federal crime
• Created sentencing guidelines for traffickers
• Victim access to federal benefits

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Options for Trafficked Person

• Return to country of origin
• Cooperate with law enforcement in the
  investigation and prosecution of a case.
• This may include a number of interviews with law
  enforcement, testifying in court, or other
  reasonable requests.
• The outcome of cooperating with law enforcement
  may include
• Social services and public benefits
• Continued Presence or T Visa Authorization
• Ability to bring family into the United States
• Certification

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United States The Role of Community Coalitions

• Victims unable to tap into social services
• Community-based coalitions can help get victim
  basic needs met
• Food
• Lodging
• Physical mental healthcare
• Legal assistance
• ESL classes
• Work training

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Considerations in Countries of Origin

• In countries of destination the primary concerns
  are
• increasing community awareness in support of
  identifying victims
• organizing social services in support of meeting
  victim needs
• In countries of origin the primary concern also
  includes focus on decreasing citizen
  vulnerability by increasing awareness

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Websites for More Information

• Fact sheets and print materials
• www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking
• Papers and fact sheets
• www.protectionproject.org
• Toolkits and databases
• www.polarisproject.org
• www.humantrafficking.com
• Other websites
• www.justice.gov/trafficking
• www.usccb.org/mrs/traffickingweb.htm
• www.endhumantrafficking.org

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References

• Outshoorn, J. (2004). The Politics of
  Prostitution Women's Movements, Democratic
  States and the Globalisation of Sex Commerce.
  Cambridge University Press
• Kempadoo, K. (2005). Trafficking And Prostitution
  Reconsidered New Perspectives On Migration, Sex
  Work, And Human Rights.
• Masika, R. (2002). Gender, Trafficking and
  Slavery (Focus on Gender Series).
• OConnell Davidson, J. (2005). Children and the
  Global Sex Trade
• Guinn, D. Stealich, E. (2003). In Modern
  Bondage Sex Trafficking in the Americas
  National and Regional Overview of Central America
  and the Caribbean Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican
  Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,
  Nicaragua and Panama
• Schaffner, L. Bernstein, E. (2004). Regulating
  Sex The Politics of Intimacy and Identity
  (Perspectives on Gender Series)
• Farr, K. (2005). Sex Trafficking The Global
  Market in Women and Children.
• Free the Slaves