Risks of trafficking keeps escalating as a result of global crises, climate emergency and conflicts. Millions of people across the world have also been affected by displacement and socio-economic inequalities which increases their vulnerability to exploitation by traffickers. People who do not have legal professions, have limited access to education, decent work, or health care, live in poverty, are residents of marginalised communities, or face violence, abuse and discrimination are most times major targets of traffickers.
Across the globe, national response regarding this criminal act have been deteriorating, especially in developing countries. In 2020, detection rates decreased by 11 percent while convictions increased by 27 percent, showing a global deceleration in the criminal justice response to trafficking. Change in the characteristics of the crime was also attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic as it silenced it, increasing likely dangers to victims by ensuring the crime rarely comes the awareness of the authorities. Report also has it that 41 percent of escaped victims reached out to the authorities by themselves, revealing that anti-trafficking responses are declining.
Resilience against exploitation must be strengthened.
Leaving people behind, in the context of human trafficking means failure to put an end to the exploitation of victims, failure to support victim-survivors after their freedom from their predators, and leaving certain groups of people vulnerable to these criminals. The campaign for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2023 is aimed at raising awareness concerning disturbing trends and developments discovered by the most recent UNODC Global Report on the atrocious act. It is also calling in governments, public services, law enforcement, and civil society for assessment and enhancement of their efforts to enable prevention, identify and help victims and eliminate impunity.
To put an end to this crime, it is necessary to ensure that rising indifferences and impunity are taken out of the way. Resilience against exploitation and associated socio-economic and cultural issues that aid the act must be strengthened. Everyone has to be enlightened concerning human trafficking while gaining the attention of those in authority who can make a difference through a change in policy and management of national resources to boost prevention measures, increase support of survivors, improve identification of victims, and end impunity.
Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons.
Trafficking in persons is an atrocious crime that gravely violates human rights. On a yearly basis, thousands of men, women and children fall victims of traffickers in their home countries and abroad. Almost all countries across the globe are affected by this crime, either within the country of origin, destination or transit for victims. As guardian of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its protocols, UNODC renders assistance to States as a means of contributing their efforts to the implementation of the “Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons.”
The aforementioned protocol defines the crime as an act of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harbouring or receiving persons through the use of force, threat or other coercive forms. It is said to be an act of abduction, deception, fraud, abuse of power or of a vulnerable position, or giving or receiving of payments or benefits for achievement of the consent of a person dominating another person, for the sole aim of exploitation. These exploitations usually include the prostitution of others or other sexual exploitation forms, slavery or related practices, forced labour or services, and servitude or extraction of organs.
Goals to eliminate violence against children, women and girls.
In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/68/192, designating July 30 of every year as World Day against Trafficking in Persons. The resolution announced that the day was significant to sensitisation of the plight of victims of this crime, and promotion and protection of their rights. Also, in September 2015, there was a global adoption of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, alongside goals and targets on the crime. These goals seek the elimination of violence against children, women and girls.
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