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.).