Our focus is addressing the different methods of change which could help in dismantling the global sex trafficking industry. We discuss conflict resolution strategies that align with these methods, and how these official, academic strategies have guided our thinking when discussing short term and long term systems of change.
Our goal is to address the sex trafficking industry from multiple perspectives, to work with all actors involved. To limit victim vulnerability, we use methods of intrastate conflict prevention strategies to address weak economies, inequality, and weak societies/governments. To address the international aspects of the global sex trade we suggest stronger immigration reform and the involvement of international institutions to collect data and enforce policies through punishments and incentives; this is an example of third party intervention and mediation. We also mention different methods of peacekeeping and peacebuilding strategies, adjusted to the type of conflict we are dealing with, to cause systemic change and prevent the victimization of women and the chances of conflict between criminal organizations and governments/international institutions. Additionally, we are making a clear point to respect the cultures and traditions of non-Westerns regions of the world, while still attempting to create positive change for women and uphold a universal standard of human rights.
Here we’ve compiled a series of strategies suggested by World Vision, who has produced a brief focused on solutions to human trafficking:
Prevention strategies which could decrease the supply of potential victims:
-
- alerting communities of origin to the dangers of trafficking
- alerting communities of destination countries to the exploitative practices of employers
- improving and expanding education and economic opportunities
- promoting equal access to education
- educating people about their legal rights
- ensuring workers rights and minimum standards
Protection strategies decrease the demand in destination countries through:
-
- identifying and prosecuting people who exploit trafficked victims
- naming and shaming the employers of forced labor and exploiters of victims trafficked for sexual exploitation, and raising public awareness through campaigns which make it harder to conceal or ignore these crimes
- coordination and cooperation between local, state and national level programs to fight trafficking and build stronger relations between countries and across regions
- advocacy campaigns to expose the exploitative nature of the industry
Strategies that effect the return and reintegration of trafficked victims include:
-
- helping victims locate and return to their families
- family support and basic counselling
- support for income-generating activities, education and vocational training
- routine follow up visits to all returnees.
Prosecution strategies aim to target those who traffic and receive profits from human trafficking via:
-
- law enforcement to vigorously prosecute traffickers and those who aid and abet them
- fighting corruption which facilitates the profits from human trafficking
- identifying and monitoring trafficking routes through better intelligence gathering and coordination
- clarifying the legal definitions of trafficking and coordinating law enforcement responsibilities
- training law enforcement personnel to identify and direct trafficking victims to appropriate care
Overall, ideologies and philosophies discussed in our Conflict Resolution course helped guide our thinking in the structural violence that women in Southeast Asia are facing and assisted in shaping our overall approach to this topic.
**List of strategies provided by https://www.worldvision.com.au/docs/default-source/publications/human-rights-and-trafficking/people-trafficking-in-the-asia-region.pdf?sfvrsn=467bec3c_4