Good Intentions are Not Enough: Four Recommendations for Implementing the Trafficking Victim Protection Act to Better Protect Victims of Human Trafficking in the United States

Abstract:     
Many good people within the federal, state and local governments and within civil society are engaging to combat human trafficking. Nevertheless, there remain crucial problems in the non-implementation of the otherwise good laws that exist to protect victims of human trafficking. One problem involves the still persistent inability or unwillingness of law enforcement to look beyond stereotypes to recognize or believe victims who, for instance, were not rescued by law enforcement. Another problem involves an unnecessary chilling effect whereby law enforcement do not certify victims of human trafficking, therein enabling them to receiving victim support services, when law enforcement fear that prosecutors will not be able or willing to take the case. These and other problems largely limit the United States from achieving its stated goal of finding and assisting victims of human trafficking.

Keywords: human trafficking, international law, human rights law

Working Paper Series