antitrafficking

Antitrafficking refers to the policies, laws, programs, and practices designed to prevent human trafficking, protect its victims, and prosecute those who exploit others. Human trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons through coercion, deception, or abuse of vulnerability for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation can include forced labor, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, child labor, and, in some cases, organ trafficking.

Efforts typically follow a three‑pillar framework: prevention, protection, and prosecution. Internationally, key instruments include the United Nations Palermo Protocol, which augments the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the International Labour Organization conventions on forced labor, and regional agreements such as the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. National laws establish criminal penalties, victim assistance, and procedures to identify and support trafficking survivors.

Practices emphasize survivor-centered and trauma-informed approaches, safe reporting channels, legal aid, and access to shelter and health services. Prevention addresses root causes such as poverty, gender inequality, conflict, discrimination, and demand for exploitative services. Prosecution focuses on cross-border cooperation, training for law enforcement and judges, data collection, and public awareness campaigns. Challenges include funding gaps, inconsistent definitions, under-reporting due to stigma, corruption, and the need to distinguish trafficking from smuggling while protecting victims' rights.