ABSTRACT
The trafficking of persons across borders for sexual, labor, and other forms of exploitation is a subject that has captured the attention of international organizations, activists, and policy makers that range the ideological spectrum. A 2000 United Nations Protocol established guidelines on how nations should combat trafficking and assist victims. In the same year, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act became law in the United States with near unanimous support, establishing the first and most aggressive effort to date in the punishment of traffickers, protection for victims, and prevention programs (Stolz 2007; Wyler, Siskin, and Seelke 2009). Since then, new antitrafficking initiatives have been adopted in several countries, most notably in Great Britain and in Canada. There also has been increased bilateral and regional cooperation, with major agreements adopted by the Council of Europe and the European Union.
