Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation in the Americas Inter-American Commission of Women (OAS) Women, Health and Development Program (PAHO/WHO)

--Rosa, trafficking survivor “ Because I was so young, I was always in demand with the customers. It was awful... I cannot forget what has happened. I can't put it behind me. I find it nearly impossible to trust people. I still feel shame... I only wish none of this had ever happened.” --Rosa, trafficking survivor

Conceptual Framework Demand Demand Supply Supply Impunity Impunity

Conceptual Framework Demand Social construct of male sexuality “Boys will be boys” Objectification of women’s bodies Perception that prostitutes can’t say no

Conceptual Framework Supply Demand Poverty Discrimination against women Female unemployment Dreams of a better life Intra-family violence Restrictive immigration policies Lack of info about migration risks Social construct of male sexuality “Boys will be boys” Objectification of women’s bodies Perception that prostitutes can’t say no

Conceptual Framework Supply Demand Poverty Discrimination against women Female unemployment Dreams of a better life Intra-family violence Restrictive immigration policies Lack of info about migration risks Social construct of male sexuality “Boys will be boys” Objectification of women’s bodies Perception that prostitutes can’t say no Insufficient laws Poor law enforcement Insufficient penalties Corruption, complacency Invisibility of issue Impunity

Conceptual Framework Supply Demand Poverty Discrimination against women Female unemployment Dreams of a better life Intra-family violence Restrictive immigration policies Lack of info about migration risks Social construct of male sexuality “Boys will be boys” Objectification of women’s bodies Perception that prostitutes can’t say no Insufficient laws Poor law enforcement Insufficient penalties Corruption, complacency Invisibility of issue Impunity TRAFFICKING

Trafficking in the Americas 50,000 75,000 35,000 2,000 25,000 5 women women 2 women

Human Rights Right to liberty Right to liberty Right to be free from cruel and inhumane treatment Right to be free from cruel and inhumane treatment Right not to be held in slavery or involuntary servitude Right not to be held in slavery or involuntary servitude Right to a life free of violence Right to a life free of violence Right to health Right to health

Mechanisms of Control Confinement, isolationConfinement, isolation Financial control, debt bondageFinancial control, debt bondage ViolenceViolence Drugs, alcoholDrugs, alcohol

Trafficking and Health Transport Transport HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS STIs STIs Sexual and Reproductive Health Sexual and Reproductive Health “Although the men were supposed to wear condoms, some didn't, so eventually I became pregnant and was forced to have an abortion.” --Rosa, trafficking survivor

Trafficking and Health Violence Violence Mental health Mental health Children Children Access to Care Access to Care “We worked six days a week and twelve-hour days. We mostly had to serve clients a day. Weekends were worse. Our bodies were utterly sore and swollen. The bosses did not care. We worked no matter what.” --Maria, trafficking survivor

Attainment of the highest level of physical, mental and social well-being --Protocol of San Salvador, Article 10 The Right to Health

Legal Instruments UN Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (1949) UN Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (1949) UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime; Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (2000) UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime; Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (2000) Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women--Convention of Belém do Pará (1994) Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women--Convention of Belém do Pará (1994) Domestic legislation Domestic legislation

Strategies Prevention Prevention Punishment and deterrence Punishment and deterrence Protection and assistance Protection and assistance

What is being done? U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act 2000 U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act 2000 NGOs: International Organization for Migration, Casa Alianza, O CHAME NGOs: International Organization for Migration, Casa Alianza, O CHAME Study of Trafficking in the Americas (CIM, IACI, IHRLI ) Study of Trafficking in the Americas (CIM, IACI, IHRLI )

“We came to the United States to find a better future not to be prostitutes. … No woman or child would want to be a sex slave and endure the evil that I have gone through. I am in fear for my life more than ever. I helped put these evil men in jail. Please help me. Please help us. Please do not let this happen to anyone else.” --Maria, trafficking survivor