Human Trafficking And Law Enforcement

1725 Words7 Pages

In addition to legislation on human trafficking, criminal justice systems must turn their attention to educating law enforcement officers about the nature and extent of trafficking, while also equipping them with the tools essential to handling these cases. Adequate training is necessary for law enforcement to understand the intricacies of trafficking cases and how to investigate them properly. Farrell, Owens, and McDevitt (2014) stress the need for such specialized training in order for law enforcement officers to embrace new legislation on trafficking, and to understand how to respond to these sensitive cases. Other criminal justice professionals, such as prosecutors, judges, and court personnel, can also benefit from specialized human trafficking …show more content…

It is important that the public is informed about the nature of human trafficking, how to assist law enforcement in the fight against trafficking, and how to avoid becoming a victim. Like some in law enforcement, much of the public may view victims of human trafficking as participators in the crime, leading to a negative stigma associated with trafficking victims. By educating the public about the true nature of human trafficking, this stigma may be alleviated. Additionally, law enforcement may benefit from the creation of specific ways for the public to report suspected cases of human trafficking, particularly in large cities or areas with high levels of trafficking. Yates (2015) stresses the need for law enforcement to create community partnerships with the general public, civic and social groups, and religious organizations in the fight against human trafficking. The organizations can come alongside criminal justice agencies to help raise public awareness about …show more content…

This may include taking certain precautions for personal protection, and avoiding being alone at large events. Since the Internet is widely used as a tool by human traffickers, it is vital that the public be taught how to protect themselves in the cyber world. Training the public, particularly children and teenagers, on proper Internet and social media usage can be an invaluable tool in preventing further victimization efforts by human traffickers. Partnerships with concerned citizens, civic groups, and social groups will assist law enforcement in the prevention and detection human