2013 Trafficking in Persons Report Released

This past Tuesday, the U.S. Department of State released the 2013 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. Secretary of State, John Kerry, delivered the report stating…

“When we help countries to prosecute traffickers, we are strengthening the rule of law. When we bring victims out of exploitation, we are helping to create more stable and productive communities. When we stop this crime from happening in the first place, we are preventing the abuse of those who are victimized as well as the ripple effect that caused damage throughout communities into our broader environment and which corrupt our global supply chains. We all have an interest in stopping this crime…”

The report is released each year and serves as a comprehensive resource of governmental anti-trafficking efforts throughout the world. It is also used as a tool worldwide to examine where resources are needed most. You can download the full report here.

Some highlights from the United States: 

“Federal law enforcement prosecuted more cases than in the previous reporting period, obtained convictions of sex and labor trafficking offenders, and strengthened training of government officials at the federal and state levels.”

“During FY 2012, DOJ (Department of Justice) convicted a total of 138 traffickers in cases involving forced labor, sex trafficking of adults, and sex trafficking of children, compared to 151 such convictions obtained in 2011. Of these, 105 were predominantly sex trafficking and 33 were predominantly labor trafficking, although some cases involved both.”

“…14 states had enacted “safe harbor” laws to ensure that children are treated as victims and provided services rather than being prosecuted for prostitution.”

“The federal government enhanced its protection measures by continuing efforts to increase victim identification and provide services to identified victims by increasing the scope and availability of services, including access to legal services, and by developing its first-ever federal strategic action plan to strengthen services for trafficking victims in the United States under the direction of DOJ, HHS, and DHS.”

Source: http://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/