Trafficking in Women

Trafficking in women is often presented as a problem in countries outside the United States. The

United States has been less visible as a site for transnational and domestic trafficking in women

because, for one reason, research on sex trafficking in the United States has been limited. In contrast,

considerable attention has been focused on sex trafficking in Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia and

other industrialized nations. Statistical data on trafficking, numbers of women trafficked into the

country and estimates advanced by governmental and non-governmental groups (NGOs) are difficult

to verify. Incidents of trafficking are often reported in isolation from one another. The who, what and

why of trafficking into the United States has not been evident.

This situation is beginning to change. Destination countries, such as the United States, are now

working together with source countries, to draft regional action plans such as the Asian Regional

Initiative Against Trafficking (ARIAT, 2000). The Clinton administration from 1998-2000 initiated

an anti-trafficking strategy (Presidential Directive, March 11, 1998) that brought together

governmental agencies such as the Departments of State and Justice to coordinate efforts against

trafficking. Significant progress was made in implementing a national anti-trafficking action plan that

is based on practical strategies involving prevention of trafficking, prosecution of traffickers and

protection of victims (ARIAT, Country Plan of the United States, 2000). In March 2000, the Central

Intelligence Agency (CIA) released a much awaited report outlining International Trafficking in

Women to the United States: A Contemporary Manifestation of Slavery and Organized Crime

(Richard, 1999).

A great deal remains to be done, however, even in the area of basic research. Cases of trafficking

in the United States are mainly reported in newspaper accounts. Although a number of studies have

been undertaken by the International Organization of Migration (IOM) to interview trafficked women

in other industrialized countries such as Italy, and in developing countries such as Cambodia

(International