The journal Anti-Trafficking Review recently asked a group of experts to engage in a debate regarding a provocative proposition that we know will interest many of BTS’ usual readers: that “Prosecuting trafficking deflects attention away from much more important responses and is anyway a waste of time and money”. We think this an interesting question and would like to briefly respond via this letter to BTS.
First, with a question: Why would anyone advocate non-enforcement against any kind of exploitative or coercive criminal? Surely it is not a waste of resources to prosecute traffickers or employers who abuse their workers? The U.S. State Department reports 51,960 human trafficking prosecutions and 29,702 convictions worldwide for the years 2008-2014. Would we really claim that these prosecutions are ‘a waste of time and money’ when 57% of them result in convictions? More careful phrasing might be prudent.
Second, we agree that there are many other ‘important responses’ worth investing in, especially when these deal with root causes. Prevention efforts that include changes in immigration policy, for example, or the decriminalisation of prostitution, or the paying of living wages, would all be very welcome indeed.
