Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

Action to End Modern-Day Slavery
Secretary of State Colin L. Powell has released the 2004 Trafficking in Persons Report, the most comprehensive report on human trafficking around the world and what governments are doing to end it. The 2004 report includes analysis of 140 countries' efforts to combat trafficking, best practices worldwide, a summary of U.S. action to fight human trafficking at home, and new data on the scope of this tragic phenomenon.

The Trafficking in Persons Report serves as the primary diplomatic tool through which the U.S. Government encourages partnership and increased determination in the fight against forced labor and sexual exploitation.

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The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-386) and the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003 (H.R. 2620) provide the tools to combat trafficking in persons both worldwide and domestically. The Act authorizes the establishment of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, headed by Ambassador John R. Miller, and the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons to assist in the coordination of anti-trafficking efforts.

Trafficking in persons is a modern-day form of slavery, involving victims who are typically forced, defrauded or coerced into sexual or labor exploitation. It is among the fastest growing criminal activities, occurring both worldwide and in individual countries. Annually, at least 600,000 - 800,000 people, mostly women and children, are trafficked across borders worldwide, including 14,500 - 17,500 persons into the United States.

People are snared into trafficking by various means. For example, physical force is used or false promises are made regarding a legitimate job or marriage in a foreign country to entrap victims into prostitution, pornography and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation or slavery-like labor conditions in factories and fields. Victims suffer physical and emotional abuse, rape, threats against self and family, passport theft, and physical restraint.

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The Human Impact of Trafficking in Persons
Human trafficking happens in nearly every corner of the world. The following two stories bring to life the scenarios that tragically play out in different variations every day around the globe. The human impact of trafficking in women, men, and children is devastating and immeasurable.

Katya

Katya, with a 2-year-old daughter and a failing marriage in the Czech Republic, followed the advice of a "friend" that she could make good money as a waitress in the Netherlands. A Czech trafficker drove her along with four other young women to Amsterdam where, joined by a Dutch trafficker, Katya was taken to a brothel. After saying "I will not do this," she was told, "Yes, you will if you want your daughter back in the Czech Republic to live." After years of threats and forced prostitution, Katya was rescued by a cab driver. She is now working at a hospital and studying for a degree in social work.