Trafficking in women: A cry for social justice November 8, 2010 Trafficking in women: A cry for social justice Gopal Sankaran, MD, DrPH, CHES Interim Assistant Vice President for International Programs and Professor of Public Health, West Chester University, PA 138th Annual Meeting of American Public Health Association Denver, CO November 9, 2010 Gopal Sankaran

Presenter Disclosures Gopal Sankaran The following personal financial relationships with commercial interests relevant to this presentation existed during the past 12 months: “No relationships to disclose” November 9, 2010 Gopal Sankaran

Session Objectives Explain the demand and supply forces that are driving global trafficking in women. Discuss the legal and policy initiatives that are currently in place to address trafficking. Specify at least three principles central to the future success of anti-trafficking efforts globally. Gopal Sankaran November 9, 2010

Human Trafficking— Palermo Protocol (UN, 2000) The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo Protocol) defines trafficking in persons as: “ … the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs” (Article 3 (a)). The Protocol further states that the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of a child for the purpose of exploitation shall be considered “trafficking in persons” even if this does not involve any of the means set forth above (article 3 (c)). http://www.uncjin.org/Documents/Conventions/dcatoc/final_documents_2/convention_%20traff_eng.pdf November 9, 2010 Gopal Sankaran

Prevalence of human trafficking 2.5 million people estimated in forced labor (including sexual exploitation) at any given time 161 nations are reported to be affected by human trafficking (source, transit or destination 127 nations purportedly send people to 137 nations Human trafficking affects every continent and every type of economy. Human trafficking is a global issue. (Human Trafficking: The Facts, UN.GIFT Fact Sheet, 2007, p.1) November 9, 2010 Gopal Sankaran

Distribution of victims by form of exploitation, 2006 (Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking, Progress Update, 2009, p. 17) November 9, 2010 Gopal Sankaran

Profile of victims of human trafficking Majority between 18 -24 years 95% experienced physical or sexual violence during trafficking (European data) 43% used for forced commercial sexual exploitation, of whom 98% are women and girls 32% are used for forced economic exploitation, of whom 56% are women and girls Many trafficking victims have at least middle-level education (Human Trafficking: The Facts, UN.GIFT Fact Sheet, 2007, p.1) November 9, 2010 Gopal Sankaran

Trafficking victims by gender and age (Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking, Progress Update, 2009, p. 17) November 9, 2010 Gopal Sankaran

Profile of recruiters and economic aspects Recruiters -- 52% men, 42% women and 6% both Recruiter a stranger – 54%; known to victim – 46% Majority of recruiters are nationals of the country where the trafficking process is taking place Estimated global annual profits – US $ 31.6 billion Industrialized economies – US $ 15.5 billion (49%) Asia and the Pacific – US $ 9.7 billion (30.6%) (Human Trafficking: The Facts, UN.GIFT Fact Sheet, 2007, p.2) November 9, 2010 Gopal Sankaran

Ratio of female convictions for TIP and for all offences, 2003-2006 (Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking, Progress Update, 2009, p. 16) November 9, 2010 Gopal Sankaran

Factors influencing demand and supply Well established, highly profitable industry Inequity in power distribution and status in society Increasing desire and market premium for younger persons Shorter cumulative time spent in the marketplace Bribery and use of force for submission Vulnerable prospects Disadvantaged economically Inadequate legislation Abysmal law enforcement Social and cultural acceptance Sophisticated networks with persuasive recruiters Easy geographic mobility Sex for drugs, survival sex November 9, 2010 Gopal Sankaran

The status of national legislation on trafficking in persons, 2008 (Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking, Progress Update, 2009, p. 15) November 9, 2010 Gopal Sankaran

Convictions for human trafficking (Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking, Progress Update, 2009, p. 16) November 9, 2010 Gopal Sankaran

Recommended Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking Promotion and protection of human rights Identification of trafficked persons and traffickers Research, analysis, evaluation and dissemination Ensuring an adequate legal framework Ensuring an adequate law enforcement response Protection and support for trafficked persons Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking. Text presented to the Economic and Social Council as an addendum to the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (E/2002/68/Add.1). November 9, 2010 Gopal Sankaran

Recommended Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking (continued) Preventing trafficking Special measures for the protection and support of child victims of trafficking Access to remedies Obligations of peacekeepers, civilian police and humanitarian and diplomatic personnel Cooperation and coordination between States and regions Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking. Text presented to the Economic and Social Council as an addendum to the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (E/2002/68/Add.1). November 9, 2010 Gopal Sankaran

Summary points Human trafficking is a violation of human rights. Demand is a root cause of human trafficking. Reducing demand should be a primary objective. An integrated, multi-pronged approach involving individuals, communities, civil society, police and law enforcement, human services, and international cooperation can help to reduce human trafficking. November 9, 2010 Gopal Sankaran

Contact Information Gopal Sankaran, MD, DrPH Interim Assistant Vice President for International Programs and Professor of Public Health Center for International Programs 310 McKelvie Hall West Chester University West Chester, PA 19383 P: 610-738-0536 F: 610-436-3426 E: gsankaran@wcupa.edu November 9, 2010 Gopal Sankaran