ABSTRACT

This chapter shows that neo-abolitionism - like historical prostitution abolitionism before it - has taken transnational form through the activities of radical feminist international advocacy networks. It utilizes two examples: First draws on the negotiation of the anti-trafficking Palermo Protocol at the United Nations in 1999-2000. While the final Protocol undoubtedly reflects multiple influences, the chapter focuses on the discernible impact that neo-abolitionist activism had on the outcome of the negotiations and the Palermo text. The second example focuses on the regional level of international politics, and analyses the role of transnational civil society lobbying in and around the European institutions, particularly the European Parliament. The two examples discussed in this chapter draws attention to the work of transnational neo-abolitionist coalitions as norm entrepreneurs; framing, influencing and pushing the cascade and socialisation of their understandings of prostitution and sex trafficking in global and regional political forums.