Human Trafficking: Criminalization of Victims in the Sex Industry

This article discusses international trafficking of women for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Drawing from the situations of trafficked women and girls around the world, the author looks at causal factors underlying the trafficking industry, focusing on immigration policies and criminal laws that have a negative impact on trafficked women. In the end, she argues that neither criminal convictions of trafficked women nor the legalization of prostitution are the solution to the human rights violations of trafficked persons. Rather, she urges nations to address the demand side of the industry, strengthen border control, cooperate to improve employment opportunities for women and disseminate information to potential and current victims of trafficking. [Descriptors: Migration - Trafficking, International]