Presidents Address



"It ought to concern every person, because it is a debasement of our common humanity. It ought to concern every community, because it tears at our social fabric. It ought to concern every business, because it distorts markets. It ought to concern every nation, because it endangers public health and fuels violence and organized crime. I’m talking about the injustice, the outrage, of human trafficking, which must be called by its true name — modern slavery.” PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA



Sunday 6 April 2014

2. Prevention of Trafficking

Sex trafficking and enslavement is being prevented through further global initiatives by the UN to diminish poverty, and reduce the demand for illegal sex workers (UN.GIFT). Increased collaborations between governments and law enforcement agencies across countries and continents is also significantly aiding the battle against trafficking; targeting traffickers at the site of origin, the destination, and all locations in between. 
Image from: www.ungift.org

The last 10 years has also seen significant steps to improve and enforce stricter laws against trafficking and enslavement. For example, Australia ratified the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime in 2004 and its supplementary Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children in 2005.

Maintaining strong border control is pivotal in preventing trafficking across borders. Furthermore, new methods of law enforcement are also being trialled with great success. Proving someone guilty of trafficking is often difficult due to lack of solid evidence. In response, police now cause ‘disruption’ to trafficking syndicates by incarcerating known traffickers for crimes unrelated to trafficking.
Image from: http://delimiter.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Customs-Border-Protection.jpg
At the community level increasing education about how to avoid being trafficked, and providing the necessities of life for everyone, are key. The international agencies, NGO’s, communities and families are critical in providing this, especially in countries where law enforcement does little to combat trafficking. If an individual can gain employment and earn a living themselves; or know that despite being impoverished, he or she can still source food and shelter from an aid agency, the need to sell themselves for those necessities of life is abolished, and consequently, so is trafficking and enslavement.

By Hamish Prosser
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