China: Human Trafficking Bust Saves 382 Chinese Babies
Date: 28 February 2014
Source: Liberty Voice
A recent sting operation led by the Chinese Public Security Ministry has busted four human trafficking groups in China and saved 382 babies, according to a statement by the state media. At least 1,094 people have been arrested by Chinese authorities on charges related to the illegal sale or purchase of infants.
Click here to read the full story.
Europe: Members of the European Parliament vote to criminalize buying sex
Date: 26 February 2014
Source: The Guardian
European parliament backs the ‘Nordic model’ of prostitution, which legalizes the selling of sex but criminalizes buying it. According to Europol, which is the EU’s law enforcement agency, women and girls constitute 96% of trafficked people, and 91% of trafficking cases relate to sexual exploitation. Most of these victims are trafficked to countries where prostitution is either legal or is regulated, rather than to countries where the purchase of sex is criminalized.
Click here to read the full story.
Canada: Child sex tourism targeted with Air Canada in-flight videos
Date: 26 February 2014
Source: CBC
Beyond Borders and Air Canada Foundation have teamed up to produce videos urging people to help protect children from sexual exploitation. The videos will play for Air Canada passengers through the in-flight entertainment system.
Click here for the full story and to watch the video ad.
Qatar: foreign domestic workers subjected to slave-like conditions
Date: 26 February 2014
Source: Guardian News
Domestic workers are being subjected to slave-like labour conditions in Qatar, with many complaining they have been deprived of passports, wages, days off, holidays and freedom to move jobs.The Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) sheltered more than 600 runaway maids in the first six months of 2013 alone.
Click here to read the full story.
USA: Ex-NFL cheerleader almost became a victim of sex trafficking at Sochi through bogus reporting job
Date: 25 February 2014
Source: Daily Mail
Ex-NFL cheerleader, Brittney Cason, was approached by a ‘talent acquisition agent’ through her website and offered an opportunity to report and present Sochi coverage. Through her lawyers and FBI involvement, it was discovered the agency is a likely front for a Russian trafficking ring. She shares her story and cautions young women in an open letter.
Click here to read the full story.
Click here to read Brittney’s open letter.
Prostitution and trafficking are bedfellows
Date: 20 February 2014
Source: SCMP
In a published, open letter to the editor of South China Morning Post (SCMP), Tony Read discusses how the link between prostitution and trafficking cannot be ignored.
Click here to read the full letter.
EVENT TONIGHT: Freedom Unites — How to Combat Slavery in Our Generation
Event Date: 20 February 2014
Join the dialogue online at 11:00 p.m. tonight by clicking: http://bit.ly/MUoPLQ. This event is an open platform for participants worldwide to respond to the think tank paper and to spark a dialogue on effective and collaborative approaches to combating slavery globally. The think tank paper, released today, is now available at: http://libertyasia.org/think-tank. Click the event link (above) to submit your questions in advance.
USA: There is No Such Thing as a Child Prostitute
Date: 18 February 2014
Source: Washington Post
An opinion piece discusses the lack of appropriate protocols in place to handle child prostitutes.
Click here to read the full story.
Resource: International Tourism Partnership Takes a Stand Against Human Trafficking
Source: Travel Mole
Date: 16 February 2014
The International Tourism Partnership (ITP) believes eliminating human trafficking is a complex process that can only be fully realized by constructive partnering with law enforcement at all levels, governments, NGOs, communities and business. They created a “know-how” guide to help others in the industry understand and address the issue.
Click here to read the full story and to access the guide.
Philippines: Former ‘Sex Victim’ Arrested in Human Trafficking Operation
Date: 16 February 2014
Source: Sun Star Cebu
Stephanie Reynes became a victim of human trafficking at 14 and, ten years later, became a pimp. Inspector Sheryl Bautista, deputy chief of the Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force says young victims of human trafficking are prone to end up recruiting women and children themselves for commercial sex.