Providing an overview of human trafficking and modern slavery, by laying some foundations in terms of definitions and then looking at current policies and legislation. The discussion is developed by taking a critical look at some campaigns to raise awareness about these issues, and try to identify some implications for how the policies are put into practice

Over the course of the new millennium human trafficking has evolved into a global phenomenon, attracting the attention of policy makers, academics, and the international community at large. Since state governments and feminists first began raising the alarm in the early 2000s, trafficking in human beings has received considerable media exposure, prompting widespread public condemnation. Yet the problem persists; indeed, if anything, it has continued to grow as economic globalization steadily erodes the social fabric of so many Third World and former Second World countries. This paper examines the phenomenon of human trafficking in the post-Cold War period with a view to identifying its causes and consequences and critiquing three remedial approaches: criminal, economic and feminist rights-based. In addition, the chief strategies currently used to combat human trafficking will be critiqued from the perspective of feminist, rights-based theory. Drawing on this discussion, some of the major obstacles to eradicating human trafficking will be examined, providing the basis for recommendations aimed at facilitating a feminist, rights-based approach to addressing human trafficking.

The crime of human trafficking is a complex phenomenon that is often affected by a wide range of social, economic, political, and cultural aspects. To fully understand the crime of human trafficking, one must analyze the crime from multiple domains or perspectives. However, the human trafficking literature generally focused on aspects such as causal factors, victimization, and policy response, while other aspects like migration, the market system or the perpetrators that involved in the crime are given little attention. Therefore, this paper is an attempt to review the existing literature on human trafficking which includes a discussion on the connection between human trafficking and migration, human trafficking as a business enterprise, human trafficking and organized crime, as well as human trafficking from other contexts such as human rights, feminism, and security. The literature review comprised extensive information collected from 134 books, articles, academic papers, and poli...

Human Trafficking: A Global Perspective. The academic debate on trafficking in human beings (henceforth THB) has for years tended to focus on the analysis of the actors involved in the trafficking process and on the attempt to map its dimensions. Therefore, the primary aim of these pieces of research has consisted of understanding the types of victims and offenders involved in such crime, as well as the push- and pull-factors that determine its expansion. Secondly, researchers have sought with difficulty to estimate the magnitude of the phenomenon given the dark number and the hidden nature of human trafficking (Kelly and Regan 2000; Savona et al. 2002; Di Nicola et al. 2005; Savona and Stefanizzi 2007; National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings 2010). Moreover, a vast amount of scholarly works have been produced to account for developments in the policy responses of international organizations and national governments (Munro 2006; Morehouse 2009; Gallagher 2010; Perrin 2010). ...

The book Human Trafficking: Interdisciplinary Perspectives edited by Mary C. Burke aims at offering an introduction to this modern phenomenon for undergraduate and graduate students in various disciplines, as well as for all those who want to learn more about this complex and multifaceted issue. It is subdivided into three sections: the first one, which comprises Chapters 1and 2, introduces the readers to human trafficking, discussing about its definition, causes, prevalence and its historical roots; the second one includes six chapters that examine human trafficking from different perspectives; and, finally, the third one-comprising Chapters 9-13-looks at the anti-trafficking movement. Overall, the interdisciplinary perspective adopted by the authors of this edited collection is extremely interesting, as it allows to look at the complex phenomenon of human trafficking from multiple angles. However, it is also incomplete, as many of the chapters are based on sociology, anthropology and history, while a stronger background on, at least, international law and, eventually, also national law and policies, would have constituted a necessary addition to the book. As regards, in particular, international law, the references to supranational institutions and to pieces of international legislation are for the most part disappointing and devoid of any specific consideration as to their practical effect on the issue of human trafficking. In this respect, see, for instance, the descriptive analysis at pages 208-211 and 253-254. On the other hand, interesting and less-explored perspectives in the study of human trafficking are to be found in Chapter 9, dealing with law enforcement activities, Chapter 11 examining the trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by victims and Chapter 12, dedicated to sex trafficking as a public health issue.

Human trafficking victims suffer a direct assault on their fundamental rights, enduring a modern form of slavery and exploitation. Perpetrated by criminal groups, human trafficking exploits victims, especially women and children, in forced labor, prostitution, or organ trafficking, treating them as commodities in a market driven by supply and demand, thereby profiting at the cost of fundamental rights and human dignity. This chapter underscores the critical significance of understanding the multifaceted challenges inherent in combating human trafficking, emphasizing the urgent need for effective measures. By delving into the complexities of the transnational organized structure of this crime, the chapter provides valuable insights into the hurdles faced by law enforcement and investigative agencies. Recognizing the gravity of human trafficking as a direct violation of fundamental rights and human dignity, this chapter aims to contribute to the development of comprehensive strategies and policies to address this pervasive issue.