Civil Rights for Victims of Human Trafficking

Abstract

While there is widespread recognition of the problem of human trafficking, there is little focus on the rhetoric surrounding the problem, or on the implications of American anti-trafficking policy. In this article, I respond by doing three things. First, I examine anti-trafficking rhetoric by identifying and describing the social movement responsible for America’s primary anti-trafficking law, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Second, I critique the Act in light of its legal heritage. Third and finally, I investigate the Act’s provision of a private right of action against human traffickers, and suggest ways the provision can be improved.

Keywords: Human Trafficking