How effective are local law enforcement personnel at distinguishing between victims of human trafficking and those engaged in prostitution?
The law enforcement personnel are always successful in differentiating between the human trafficking victims and those engaged in prostitution. For example, the Anaheim Police Department (APD) detail in California, Orange County, discovered that most of the victims of prostitution come from similar backgrounds (Marcin, 2013). Therefore, it is easy to unravel the nature of their vice because the law enforcement officers thoroughly assess their reasons and circumstances before ascertaining that they are prostitution victims (Marcin, 2013).
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Should we even bother distinguishing between them?
There is a need to distinguish between human traffickers and prostitution victims. Distinguishing the two parties is the only way to help them. For example, several trustees seek to raise millions of pounds from various governments, private donors, and corporations to fund the front-line workers seeking to help the human traffickers and the prostitution victims reform (Ando, 2011). As well, the UN, through its previous campaigns, has focused on providing financial services to support centers dedicated to helping human trafficking victims (Ando, 2011).
Does the general public care about the differences between the two and how do we inform them about those differences?
While the general public may not care as much about the differences between human traffickers and victims of prostitution. However, it is prudent that the public knows about the differences between the two parties. In cooperation with various bodies fighting against human trafficking and sexual exploitation, the general public can play a significant role in fighting against the vices. For example, the UAHT is one of the bodies whose mission is to end human trafficking by preventing exploitation, empowering survivors, and educating the public. Therefore, the government should take an active role in increasing awareness of the vices among the public.
What can the justice system do to help victims of sex trafficking?
In the US, there is an already existing law against sex trafficking. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 is the US federal response to human trafficking (CDC, 2021). The justice system only needs to educate the community and diligently address sex trafficking perpetrators following the normal legal procedures.
References
Ando, B. (2011, March 8). Human trafficking victims fund to be launched by UN. BBC News . https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12672009
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). Sex Trafficking. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/sexualviolence/trafficking.html
Marcin, S. (2013, March 5). Prostitution and human trafficking: A paradigm shift. LEB. https://leb.fbi.gov/articles/featured-articles/prostitution-and-human-trafficking-a-paradigm-shift
