Human trafficking is considered one of the most significant blights on our current society, as it deprives people of their most fundamental rights. Despite commendable efforts against this transnational scourge, emphasis often leans towards addressing criminal aspects tied to migratory flows, potentially undermining victim protection. New technologies further complicate the landscape, challenging conventional anti-trafficking policies. This chapter stresses the critical need to bridge the gap between human trafficking manifestation and prevention/prosecution strategies, enriching discourse on international security. It aims to spotlight challenges hampering anti-trafficking policy effectiveness, empowering governments to fortify identification systems and combat the perpetuation of this heinous offense.
TopIntroduction
Human trafficking stands out as one of the most lucrative forms of organized crime, consistently violating basic human rights (Okech et al., 2017). This pervasive threat knows no geographical bounds, impacting every nation (UNODC, 2016). The gravity of this abhorrent crime manifests in victims enduring forced labor, sexual exploitation, and various forms of modern slavery, leading to a complete loss of personal freedom and autonomy.
Survivors of trafficking often grapple with isolation from family and friends, enduring social stigmatization and discrimination. These factors make reintegration into society challenging, exacerbating their isolation and trauma. Recognizing the urgent need to combat human trafficking, the international community has demonstrated a resolute commitment to effecting meaningful change and mitigating the devastating consequences of this crime. This commitment is evidenced through the endorsement of crucial international legal instruments such as the Protocol of Palermo (2000), providing the globally accepted definition of the crime, the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (2005) (CETS197), emphasizing victim identification and support, and the EU Directive 2011/36/EU (April 5, 2011), focusing on prevention, combating trafficking, and protecting victims by expanding fundamental support measures.
Despite tireless legal efforts, responses to human trafficking often center on criminalizing and reducing migration, treating it more as a smuggling issue. This perspective risks portraying trafficking victims as illegal immigrants or criminals, potentially subjecting them to deportation or detention rather than providing essential support and protection. Villacampa and Torres (2017) underscored the importance of a comprehensive understanding of human trafficking, revealing that practitioners often resort to stereotypes during victim identification due to a lack of understanding, termed a “cultural blinder” by Farrell and Pfeffer (2014).
Furthermore, a myopic focus on border control and immigration may inadequately address the root causes and intricacies of human trafficking, hindering victim identification and assistance. In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, traffickers have adapted, exploiting advancements to capture victims swiftly through new websites and social networks (UNODC, 2020). The absence of legislation and mechanisms safeguarding users in digital environments contributes to this criminal advantage (Delva-Benavides y González-López, 2022).
This chapter serves as a pivotal contribution to the ongoing discourse surrounding human trafficking and its profound implications for international security. By delving into the multifaceted challenges that currently impede the effectiveness of anti-trafficking policies, we aim to shed light on potential vulnerabilities within existing systems of identification. As we navigate through the intricacies of this pervasive crime, our exploration will lay the foundation for a deeper understanding of the complexities involved, paving the way for comprehensive strategies to enhance the global response to human trafficking.
This chapter is organized into three distinct challenges, each addressing crucial aspects of human trafficking. Challenge 1 delves into conceptual issues, exploring our current understanding of human trafficking. Challenge 2 focuses on the ongoing confusion surrounding the distinction between human trafficking and human smuggling. Finally, Challenge 3 examines the emergence of new modus operandi and associated challenges, particularly the presence of human trafficking in digital environments.