The author of this blog seeks to inform the reader about policy regarding human trafficking. The specific policy that will be analyzed was first introduced in 2000 and was called the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. In each respective section of this blog the author will address different aspects of the policy including its pre- and post- introduction history, social implications, economic effects, political support and lack of support, analysis of goal attainment, and proposals for future bill modification.
In October of 2000, an act addressing the long standing problem of human trafficking, specifically human sex trafficking was implemented in a United States’ federal effort to protect victims of the slave trade and to prosecute their traders. Protection and prosecution weren’t the only areas addressed in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, but an added emphasis on prevention to increase public awareness was also tackled. In an attempt to create reader awareness it is only necessary to define human trafficking in lay terms which is as follows: the attainment and transport of humans, male or female, by way of “force, fraud, or coercion” generally by an established for-profit criminal organization who subjects their detainees to “involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery,” (International Rescue Committee, 2008, p. 1).
Slavery, as viewed by most industrialized nations, is a violation of human rights. Corruption, however, is prevalent in almost every society even those expressedly committed to the common good. Sex bondage can be particularly heinous. Vulnerable women (those who are often victims of poverty due to collapsed post-communist economies) are promised upstanding jobs by inconspicuous strangers only to be shipped off to a dim lit room where men critique their naked bodies as if they were a piece of meat. The women are bought at a price and sold at a price, their worth is their body, and their survival is based on their compliancy. They make barely enough to get by as most of their income goes to their “pimps”. Thirteen hour days are common, as are seven day weeks. Monthly periods are no excuse for temporary leave; diaphragms to prevent leakage are required purchases with the minimal profit often needed for food and contraceptives ( Blint & Westbrook, n.d.).
Sadly money speaks and impoverished ears listen. As a result, humans are seen as objects for profit. The extreme sorrow, however, is that they are free of choice in regards to such a scenario. The policy makes sure explicit emphasis is put on the fact that these victims are involuntary as there are some who willingly submit to serving within the sex market. It is important to note, however, that these individuals generally don’t face as severe circumstances as some others ( Blint & Westbrook, n.d.).
5.07.2008
Historical Analysis
It has been claimed that prostitution is the world’s oldest profession. Whether this is true or not, it is evident that the market for sex and sexual favors is booming in modern culture and can be dated back to a time earlier than the Greek and Roman cultures. The Greeks and Romans both worshipped a goddess of love and prostitution. Prostitution was so prevalent that the authors of the gospel accounts make mention of a prostitute by the name of Mary Magdalene; the earliest of these accounts, scholars say, dates back to the first century (Blint & Westbrook, n.d.). But not all these prostitutes were voluntarily selling their bodies. It is fact that after a battle was waged and won; Greeks and Romans, alike, took the conquered captive to do with as they pleased. Sexual servitude was among the many forms of bondage endured (“A Short History of Sexual Slavery”, 2007).
It may come as a surprise to know that women sold during the African slave trade were not immune to sexual servitude in the least. It is a common fact that women sold at a higher price than men; the southern plantation owners had an insatiable appetite for sex to say the least. Sadly, legislation to protect those suffering the effects of slavery did not come until the early twentieth century and it only guarded white slaves. The White-Slave Traffic Act (better known as the Mann Act) was passed in 1910 and sought to prosecute slave traders. The FBI has been using this act, an act that was instituted in 1910, to prosecute those involved in domestic trafficking or slave trade across state lines (“A Short History of Sexual Slavery”, 2007).
Internationally, treaties were established in European countries to stop the trafficking of women in 1904, 1910, and 1925. Japan was cornered for their enslavement of nearly a quarter million women in sex camps to service soldiers during World War II. After such an atrocity was revealed another treaty was issued in 1949, but oddly enough the U.S. was one of a minimal number of countries who turned down its authorization (“A Short History of Sexual Slavery”, 2007).
Much time elapsed and another war ensued. The Gulf War in 1991 opened the gates to what is now referred to as Sex tourism. Secretary of Defense, Robert MacNamara, in an effort to enhance foreign exchange, thought it would be a good idea to lure men to economically suffering countries by sexually exploiting native women. Not even in theory does this sound ethical! However, the exposure of this idea sparked passion in many non-profit organizations to expose the carnage of such an industry and to advocate for the rights of its victims. Equality Now was such a group. Their hard work eventually paid off when a large sex tourism company in New York was shut down (“A Short History of Sexual Slavery”, 2007).
During this time the market for sex slaves grew in Western and Eastern Europe, especially in nations struggling after the communist collapse in Russia. Israel, commonly seen as the “Holy Land”, was not immune either. In fact, they have one of the largest sex markets in the world. As countries became aware of this growing problem action was taken. An international conference was held in Vienna in 1996 and later in 2000. This conference gave birth to the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime or the Palermo Protocols. The protocols were ratified with astonishing enthusiasm and this time the U.S. took a stand by offering its signature (“A Short History of Sexual Slavery”, 2007).
Later that year the United States adopted the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). The act, instead of being intolerable to any means by which the victim entered the sex industry, limited prosecution to only those traffickers who were proven to have lured the enslaved by way of “force, fraud, or coercion.” This sadly slows the process of protection and prosecution, but protects those who voluntarily enter the trade. Though, there is a loophole the act was a step in the right direction. In 2003 and in 2005, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) was instated. It simply continued provision of funds for TVPA (“A Short History of Sexual Slavery”, 2007).
It may come as a surprise to know that women sold during the African slave trade were not immune to sexual servitude in the least. It is a common fact that women sold at a higher price than men; the southern plantation owners had an insatiable appetite for sex to say the least. Sadly, legislation to protect those suffering the effects of slavery did not come until the early twentieth century and it only guarded white slaves. The White-Slave Traffic Act (better known as the Mann Act) was passed in 1910 and sought to prosecute slave traders. The FBI has been using this act, an act that was instituted in 1910, to prosecute those involved in domestic trafficking or slave trade across state lines (“A Short History of Sexual Slavery”, 2007).
Internationally, treaties were established in European countries to stop the trafficking of women in 1904, 1910, and 1925. Japan was cornered for their enslavement of nearly a quarter million women in sex camps to service soldiers during World War II. After such an atrocity was revealed another treaty was issued in 1949, but oddly enough the U.S. was one of a minimal number of countries who turned down its authorization (“A Short History of Sexual Slavery”, 2007).
Much time elapsed and another war ensued. The Gulf War in 1991 opened the gates to what is now referred to as Sex tourism. Secretary of Defense, Robert MacNamara, in an effort to enhance foreign exchange, thought it would be a good idea to lure men to economically suffering countries by sexually exploiting native women. Not even in theory does this sound ethical! However, the exposure of this idea sparked passion in many non-profit organizations to expose the carnage of such an industry and to advocate for the rights of its victims. Equality Now was such a group. Their hard work eventually paid off when a large sex tourism company in New York was shut down (“A Short History of Sexual Slavery”, 2007).
During this time the market for sex slaves grew in Western and Eastern Europe, especially in nations struggling after the communist collapse in Russia. Israel, commonly seen as the “Holy Land”, was not immune either. In fact, they have one of the largest sex markets in the world. As countries became aware of this growing problem action was taken. An international conference was held in Vienna in 1996 and later in 2000. This conference gave birth to the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime or the Palermo Protocols. The protocols were ratified with astonishing enthusiasm and this time the U.S. took a stand by offering its signature (“A Short History of Sexual Slavery”, 2007).
Later that year the United States adopted the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). The act, instead of being intolerable to any means by which the victim entered the sex industry, limited prosecution to only those traffickers who were proven to have lured the enslaved by way of “force, fraud, or coercion.” This sadly slows the process of protection and prosecution, but protects those who voluntarily enter the trade. Though, there is a loophole the act was a step in the right direction. In 2003 and in 2005, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) was instated. It simply continued provision of funds for TVPA (“A Short History of Sexual Slavery”, 2007).
Social Analysis
Sex trafficking has been an issue that has gone undetected and therefore unaddressed until recent years. The underground nature of the sex slave industry provides cause for the previous lack of perception to the prevalence of such a practice. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act was passed in 2000 to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; no act had comprehensively addressed the issue of sexual slavery until TVPA (“Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000-Part 1”, 2005). However, sexual slavery, as stated in the historical analysis, has been an age old practice, and grew considerably in industry in the United States after the Gulf War (“A Short History of Sexual Slavery”, 2007). Why wasn’t legislation passed then to address the issue? It was undetected. Later exposure of businesses profiting from sex tourism sparked advocacy for its victims and thus resulted in the passing of a bill seeking to protect those who are coerced into bondage. Due to the secret and illegal character of the sex slave industry, the author is positive there is still more information yet to be found. Of the information that has been gathered much can be done to protect those who have fallen prey to bondage or who are susceptible to being coerced into slavery.
Contrary to belief, international women who are young and poor are not the only susceptible group to those seeking prey. Men, women, children, U.S. citizens, virtually anyone can fall victim to the skilled manipulation of those in this business (Clawson and Dutch, 2008). There are, however, some distinguishable characteristics of those who have become victims. As one source says, “They often come from countries or communities with high rates of crime, poverty, and corruption; lack opportunities for education; lack family support (e.g., orphaned, runaway/thrown-away, homeless, family members collaborating with traffickers); and/or have a history of physical and/or sexual abuse.” (Clawson and Dutch, 2008, p. ). The demographic is far reaching and varied. According to data collected by the U.S. government, 800,000 to 900,000 men, women and children are trafficked worldwide just in one year. The United States is home to 18,000 to 20,000 of those victims.(U.S. Department of State, 2004)
Slavery, with the help of an American civil war and a continued effort to fight for civil rights, is by and large viewed as a heinous act in the American mind. The market for sex, however, is not viewed by all as taboo. The state of Nevada since its creation in 1861 has supported legalized prostitution in some form or fashion (Rocha, 1999). Though, the selling of sex is not viewed by all as immoral, morally corrupt is an accepted label for those who view human bondage as permissible. Under this pretense, it is safe to say that the status quo would label sex trafficking, if implemented by way of involuntary servitude, dreadful.
The identification of social ill calls for action and TVPA is the fruit of such action. The stated goals of TVPA are to stop the exchange of humans worldwide, to specifically protect and rebuild the lives of those who have been subject to bondage, and to take legal federal action against those who are traffickers (Administration for Children and Families, n.d.). There is considerable idealism in the statement of these goals. Perhaps such broad terms are setting the bill up for scrutiny. For example, even if these traffickers are indicted what sort of measures will be taken to provide them some other form of income? What if they have no other job skill? Should there not be measures to rehabilitate the traffickers as well?
When addressing the specific social implications of this act, one must be aware of the human behavior theory that has instructed means for action. When it comes to social policy the Ecosystems theory has been most frequently cited. The theory focuses on the way systems, whether the most or least complex, interact with, adapt to, and balance one another (Van Wormer, Besthorn, & Keefe, p. 22). It would be wise then to notice traces of this theory behind the posed interventions of this bill.
The bill seeks to prevent future humans from being trafficked by targeting areas of change. Targets may include those on a grand scale or individual scale. The bill may seek to stabilize a faltering economy or it may offer job-skills education to the individual. The act also provides a method of transaction that offers rehabilitation services to victims and specialized job training to government agents. Overall, the government, with this bill, is acknowledging the change that can be made by making positive the interactions between various social systems in society.
Contrary to belief, international women who are young and poor are not the only susceptible group to those seeking prey. Men, women, children, U.S. citizens, virtually anyone can fall victim to the skilled manipulation of those in this business (Clawson and Dutch, 2008). There are, however, some distinguishable characteristics of those who have become victims. As one source says, “They often come from countries or communities with high rates of crime, poverty, and corruption; lack opportunities for education; lack family support (e.g., orphaned, runaway/thrown-away, homeless, family members collaborating with traffickers); and/or have a history of physical and/or sexual abuse.” (Clawson and Dutch, 2008, p. ). The demographic is far reaching and varied. According to data collected by the U.S. government, 800,000 to 900,000 men, women and children are trafficked worldwide just in one year. The United States is home to 18,000 to 20,000 of those victims.(U.S. Department of State, 2004)
Slavery, with the help of an American civil war and a continued effort to fight for civil rights, is by and large viewed as a heinous act in the American mind. The market for sex, however, is not viewed by all as taboo. The state of Nevada since its creation in 1861 has supported legalized prostitution in some form or fashion (Rocha, 1999). Though, the selling of sex is not viewed by all as immoral, morally corrupt is an accepted label for those who view human bondage as permissible. Under this pretense, it is safe to say that the status quo would label sex trafficking, if implemented by way of involuntary servitude, dreadful.
The identification of social ill calls for action and TVPA is the fruit of such action. The stated goals of TVPA are to stop the exchange of humans worldwide, to specifically protect and rebuild the lives of those who have been subject to bondage, and to take legal federal action against those who are traffickers (Administration for Children and Families, n.d.). There is considerable idealism in the statement of these goals. Perhaps such broad terms are setting the bill up for scrutiny. For example, even if these traffickers are indicted what sort of measures will be taken to provide them some other form of income? What if they have no other job skill? Should there not be measures to rehabilitate the traffickers as well?
When addressing the specific social implications of this act, one must be aware of the human behavior theory that has instructed means for action. When it comes to social policy the Ecosystems theory has been most frequently cited. The theory focuses on the way systems, whether the most or least complex, interact with, adapt to, and balance one another (Van Wormer, Besthorn, & Keefe, p. 22). It would be wise then to notice traces of this theory behind the posed interventions of this bill.
The bill seeks to prevent future humans from being trafficked by targeting areas of change. Targets may include those on a grand scale or individual scale. The bill may seek to stabilize a faltering economy or it may offer job-skills education to the individual. The act also provides a method of transaction that offers rehabilitation services to victims and specialized job training to government agents. Overall, the government, with this bill, is acknowledging the change that can be made by making positive the interactions between various social systems in society.
Economic Analysis
In 2003, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act was instated. The act was simply a continuation of TVPA 2000. The reauthorization allotted for a budget of 200 million dollars to combat human trafficking (Administration for Children and Families, n.d.). In 2005, the act was again renewed. This time around the appropriations for the bill, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), totaled an allocation of $361 million for the following two years (Dayspring, 2006). The act from first proposal has provided grants to those organizations aiding in the effort to combat human trafficking. However, with the bills most current reinstatement, amendments have been made to ensure grant issued funds are not being used to fuel the further continuation of the sex trade. Organizations, under this new provision, are required to report knowledge of illegal trade action to the government no matter their source of information (Ferreira and Faubert, 2008,). Grants will be taken away if there is failure to abide by these standards.
When analyzing the bill one must wonder about the unemployment after salvage of those who have been trafficked and the unemployment faced even by those who were traffickers. A standard of comfortable living must be assessed for these women and perhaps funds should be set aside so that they may be educated in such a way that they have alternative job skills. The same goes for those who were traffickers. Perhaps there should be provisions to reeducate them in such a way that allows their job skills to be profitable in the legal market of goods. There will have to be some form of rehabilitation that is aimed at teaching these men and women basic surviving and living skills.
When analyzing the bill one must wonder about the unemployment after salvage of those who have been trafficked and the unemployment faced even by those who were traffickers. A standard of comfortable living must be assessed for these women and perhaps funds should be set aside so that they may be educated in such a way that they have alternative job skills. The same goes for those who were traffickers. Perhaps there should be provisions to reeducate them in such a way that allows their job skills to be profitable in the legal market of goods. There will have to be some form of rehabilitation that is aimed at teaching these men and women basic surviving and living skills.
Political Analysis
As may be inherently obvious there has been much support for such a bill that seeks to combat a social ill that is widely believed to be heinous. Those who actively support the bill may also come as no surprise. Main advocacy for this act has arisen primarily from human rights groups, women’s rights groups, and religious groups. Those who have made themselves vocal and visible include the National Organization for Women (Pappas, 2007), the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (Duncan, 2005), the National Organization for Men Against Sexism (Rozdzialm, 2008), and the International Justice Mission. The bill as adapted for California’s jurisdiction was authored by Assemblywoman Lieber and co-supported by District Attorney Harris and the California Anti-Trafficking Initiative. There is received bi-partisan support (Jasperson, 2005). Among other supporters, a man by the name of Chris Smith, representative and former chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, has been pivotal in the bill’s passage.
Criticism for the bill’s effectiveness has resulted, however. Some critics assert that the bill is so broad that trafficking has hardly been eased, traffickers are not being prosecuted, and those who have been enslaved are not receiving the treatment promised (“A Short History of Sexual Slavery”, 2007). There is no majority opposition in regards to the valiant attempt of the bill; there are some, however, who feel the bill needs to be narrowly defined so application is more effective. In summary, difference in ideology is not the issue but the opposing views on the application of the bill serve as the dissension point.
Though it may be presumptuous to say the author would assume the Trafficking Victims Protection Act was created with respect to the rational approach to social welfare policy. In this particular instance, the social unwell addressed in this policy is widely held by the status quo as unacceptable. Slavery as inhumane is certainly a relatively new idea, but even so, it is commonly accepted. The benefits and costs cannot, in such a bill, be measured strictly by monetary means. The benefit of saving people from the bondage of slavery is reason itself. Implementation monetarily has also been reevaluated to address the possible misuse of grants allocated to combat instead of aid trafficking. This policy will be constantly evolving, but will never be widdled to nonexistence. The eradication of the concept it is addressing is far too supported to ever lose recognition.
Criticism for the bill’s effectiveness has resulted, however. Some critics assert that the bill is so broad that trafficking has hardly been eased, traffickers are not being prosecuted, and those who have been enslaved are not receiving the treatment promised (“A Short History of Sexual Slavery”, 2007). There is no majority opposition in regards to the valiant attempt of the bill; there are some, however, who feel the bill needs to be narrowly defined so application is more effective. In summary, difference in ideology is not the issue but the opposing views on the application of the bill serve as the dissension point.
Though it may be presumptuous to say the author would assume the Trafficking Victims Protection Act was created with respect to the rational approach to social welfare policy. In this particular instance, the social unwell addressed in this policy is widely held by the status quo as unacceptable. Slavery as inhumane is certainly a relatively new idea, but even so, it is commonly accepted. The benefits and costs cannot, in such a bill, be measured strictly by monetary means. The benefit of saving people from the bondage of slavery is reason itself. Implementation monetarily has also been reevaluated to address the possible misuse of grants allocated to combat instead of aid trafficking. This policy will be constantly evolving, but will never be widdled to nonexistence. The eradication of the concept it is addressing is far too supported to ever lose recognition.
Policy/Program Evaluation
As stated in previous sections the goals as laid out by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act follow what are called “the three P’s”: prevent, protect, and prosecute. The policy aims to prevent those who are at risk or vulnerable to being enslaved. The U.S., by passing this bill, wants to protect those who have already fallen victim to sex slavery but have been recovered from the trade. Protection is two-fold, offering security by way of the government but also providing rehabilitation or restoration to life. Prosecution comes to those that are identified as traffickers by way of harsh federal penalties (Administration for Children and Families,n.d.). These three goals are the overarching provisions of this bill and as one may expect much falls under such a broad goal base.
Major criticisms that arise regarding this policy include that lack of attention to the underlying problems that are eliciting the demand for sex trafficking. Such issues include weak economies which induce desperation in those who are affected by it most severely. A global market is suspect, which in relation to social connectivity is good, but in congruence with detection of illegal practice is far more complex. Restrictive immigration policies in certain countries limit the opportunity for survival for some. Suppose a woman is residing in a country and struggling to survive due to the effects of a weak economy, the neighboring country would provide more opportunity to thrive, but their immigration policy is limiting. She would be considered at risk to slavery because of her predicament. Much could be prevented if issues such as the global market, weak economies, and restrictive immigration policies were combated with this act (Council on Foreign Relations, n.d.).
Prosecution is another big concern when examining the effectiveness of this policy. One has to be reminded that those that are trafficking are making substantial profit; traffickers can afford the best attorneys. Unlike some populations, for example those on death row who are generally lower class, this offender is liable to have quite a large income making for great odds when calculating the probability of a lesser punishment. Traffickers are also hard to track due to the global nature of this trade. And what of the trafficker after they are prosecuted? Should there be rehabilitation and job-skill training for them as well? If rehabilitation was provided perhaps the probability of prevention could be increased.
Protection seems to be the most advanced in terms of meeting expectations of the proposed act. Once the victims are in hand, rehabilitation and counseling can be administered. The author suggests a possible need for more organizations that specialize in this specific form of crisis counseling.
The act needs a lot of work. There are many reasons as to why this is so. The act is new and the passage of time tends to reveal areas of needed change. The crime the act is trying to prosecute and prevent is fairly underground, meaning it is well hidden because of its illegality. So as new research is done perhaps creative and effective means of meeting the original goals (prevention, protection, and prosecution) can be developed
Major criticisms that arise regarding this policy include that lack of attention to the underlying problems that are eliciting the demand for sex trafficking. Such issues include weak economies which induce desperation in those who are affected by it most severely. A global market is suspect, which in relation to social connectivity is good, but in congruence with detection of illegal practice is far more complex. Restrictive immigration policies in certain countries limit the opportunity for survival for some. Suppose a woman is residing in a country and struggling to survive due to the effects of a weak economy, the neighboring country would provide more opportunity to thrive, but their immigration policy is limiting. She would be considered at risk to slavery because of her predicament. Much could be prevented if issues such as the global market, weak economies, and restrictive immigration policies were combated with this act (Council on Foreign Relations, n.d.).
Prosecution is another big concern when examining the effectiveness of this policy. One has to be reminded that those that are trafficking are making substantial profit; traffickers can afford the best attorneys. Unlike some populations, for example those on death row who are generally lower class, this offender is liable to have quite a large income making for great odds when calculating the probability of a lesser punishment. Traffickers are also hard to track due to the global nature of this trade. And what of the trafficker after they are prosecuted? Should there be rehabilitation and job-skill training for them as well? If rehabilitation was provided perhaps the probability of prevention could be increased.
Protection seems to be the most advanced in terms of meeting expectations of the proposed act. Once the victims are in hand, rehabilitation and counseling can be administered. The author suggests a possible need for more organizations that specialize in this specific form of crisis counseling.
The act needs a lot of work. There are many reasons as to why this is so. The act is new and the passage of time tends to reveal areas of needed change. The crime the act is trying to prosecute and prevent is fairly underground, meaning it is well hidden because of its illegality. So as new research is done perhaps creative and effective means of meeting the original goals (prevention, protection, and prosecution) can be developed
Proposals for Reform
Among the proposals for reform most, not surprisingly, address the shortcomings of the attempted enactment of prevention and prosecution. In an effort to increase both prevention and prosecution, some have suggested increased education and training for those who are set apart to investigate such cases. These workers would include FBI and U.S. immigration officials (Council on Foreign Relations, n.d.).
In congruence with criticism of lack of prosecution, there have been proposals of closely monitoring and publicly holding accountable countries whose government officials are involved in human trafficking. Laws that are already in place to chastise those leaders who engage in criminal activity need to be enforced and created if not already. Governments who have passed and agreed to the stipulations of the TVPA but are employing government workers who are participants in human trafficking are making a mockery of the individuals who are victims and those administrations who are trying to protect them (Council on Foreign Relations, n.d.).
And as one might assume there is a sustained need for research in all areas that affect this act. There needs to be more research in the area of organized crime. The intricacy of the methodology of smuggling weapons and drugs needs to be further examined. Research regarding the success and failure of forms of rehabilitation and counseling of victims needs to be explored. Cultural difference in policy application should be considered. There are many areas that have not yet been thoroughly examined (Council on Foreign Relations, n.d.).
Finally, much attention has been directed towards prostitution and its relevancy to the act. Abolitionists seek to use this act to eliminate prostitution altogether, whereas others see a coalition with those in the sex industry as a possible aide to the creation of strategy for combating trafficking. It seems that much more could be done to combat trafficking if there was less effort exerted towards arguing whether prostitution should be addressed by this bill or not (Council on Foreign Relations, n.d.).
In congruence with criticism of lack of prosecution, there have been proposals of closely monitoring and publicly holding accountable countries whose government officials are involved in human trafficking. Laws that are already in place to chastise those leaders who engage in criminal activity need to be enforced and created if not already. Governments who have passed and agreed to the stipulations of the TVPA but are employing government workers who are participants in human trafficking are making a mockery of the individuals who are victims and those administrations who are trying to protect them (Council on Foreign Relations, n.d.).
And as one might assume there is a sustained need for research in all areas that affect this act. There needs to be more research in the area of organized crime. The intricacy of the methodology of smuggling weapons and drugs needs to be further examined. Research regarding the success and failure of forms of rehabilitation and counseling of victims needs to be explored. Cultural difference in policy application should be considered. There are many areas that have not yet been thoroughly examined (Council on Foreign Relations, n.d.).
Finally, much attention has been directed towards prostitution and its relevancy to the act. Abolitionists seek to use this act to eliminate prostitution altogether, whereas others see a coalition with those in the sex industry as a possible aide to the creation of strategy for combating trafficking. It seems that much more could be done to combat trafficking if there was less effort exerted towards arguing whether prostitution should be addressed by this bill or not (Council on Foreign Relations, n.d.).
Summary
Though it may be obvious the author’s opinion or stance on the issue of sexual slavery, it is not inappropriate due to the fact that it is in congruence with the majority opinion. Modern belief in most societies marks slavery altogether heinous. Therefore, stated as such, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in theory is widely supported and without doubt seen as needed.
Though theoretically ideal, the bill needs refinement in application. There has been far too much emphasis on victims, which may rightfully be so since the bill even in its name is addressing them. However, prevention of human trafficking could be greatly increased if traffickers were also rehabilitated. The source of the problem must be rewired if the trouble is to be eradicated.
A step in the right direction has been made by simply issuing this bill and reauthorizing it years after its initial implementation. Now further research must be done and further action must be taken to ensure its effectiveness. Human trafficking is not to be tolerated and every effort should be made to lessen its effects.
Though theoretically ideal, the bill needs refinement in application. There has been far too much emphasis on victims, which may rightfully be so since the bill even in its name is addressing them. However, prevention of human trafficking could be greatly increased if traffickers were also rehabilitated. The source of the problem must be rewired if the trouble is to be eradicated.
A step in the right direction has been made by simply issuing this bill and reauthorizing it years after its initial implementation. Now further research must be done and further action must be taken to ensure its effectiveness. Human trafficking is not to be tolerated and every effort should be made to lessen its effects.
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