National and international laws have been instrumental in criminalizing human trafficking by penalizing traffickers and those who purchase victims.
The United Nations has put in place various legislation as part of their Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. Established in 2010, the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons (UNVTF) was the first global legislation to protect and assist victims of human trafficking. Partnering with NGOs, it works to “enhance the psychological recovery and social reintegration of victims and empower survivors to reclaim their rights to justice and fair compensation”.
One of the most important anti-trafficking laws in the U.S. was recently renewed: The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). The TVPA defines a “human trafficking victim as a person induced to perform labor or a commercial sex act through force, fraud, or coercion”. It has many parts that combine to combat trafficking by focusing on prosecution, protection, and prevention. One provision of the law is that it enables victims to become certified which gives them access to benefits and services they need to rebuild their lives after being trafficked. In 2017, The Abolish Human Trafficking Act was also passed, extending abilities to prosecute perpetrators of human trafficking.
Outside the U.S., individual country laws vary. The TVPA set forth minimum standards for governmental efforts to end human trafficking, and each country can be categorized based on their efforts to meet those standards.
Tier 1 countries meet the minimum standards by actively working to update legislation on prosecution of traffickers and protection and services for victims.
Full details on the placement of each country and their efforts, or lack thereof, to meet the TVPA minimum standards can be found here.
Overall, great strides have been made globally in the last 20 years to combat human trafficking and help victims become survivors. As we continue with Human Trafficking Awareness Month, you can join the fight by being aware of your local anti-trafficking laws and supporting government officials who are working to revise, implement, and expand these laws.
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