Citation

Lehti M, Aromaa K. Int. J. Comp. Appl. Crim. Justice 2007; 31(2): 123-145.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, American Society of Criminology's Division of International Criminology, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Trafficking for women for prostitution dominates the discussion of policy responses to human trafficking in Europe. Despite media and political interest, reliable data and scientific research concerning the problem remain scarce. This article synthesizes available research data to provide an overview of the volume and division of prostitution-related trafficking in Europe, the characteristics of the crime, victims, and organizers, and prevention and control policies. The most urgent short-term task in Europe should be the adoption and implementation of compatible and appropriate legislation concerning the crimes of trafficking, as well as the development and strengthening of effective protection and assistance mechanisms for victims of trafficking in all European countries. This should be combined with the strengthening of socio-economic support programmes and awareness-raising activities in both the source and the destination countries. There is also an urgent need to collect and exchange comparative information on trafficking throughout the continent and to carry out further research on this issue.

Keywords: Human trafficking