http://www.unodc.org/documents/publications/TiP_Europe_EN_LORES.pdf

Trafficking Persons in Europe for Sex Exploitation

World Vision - Fact Sheet on Sexual Exploitation

Human Trafficking
Original release U.S. DVD cover art
Genre	Drama Crime
Directed by	Christian Duguay
Written by	Carol Doyle Agatha Dominik
Starring	Mira Sorvino Donald Sutherland Robert Carlyle Remy Girard
Music by	Normand Corbiel
Editing by	Gaetan Hout Sylvain Lebel
Country	Canada
Language	English
Original channel	Lifetime Television
Original run	October 24 – October 25, 2005
Running time	176 minutes

Human Trafficking is a television miniseries about an American Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent going undercover to stop an organization from trafficking people, and shows the struggles of three trafficked women. It premiered in the United States on Lifetime Television on October 24 and 25, 2005 and was broadcast in Canada on Citytv on January 2 and 3, 2006. It stars Mira Sorvino, Donald Sutherland, Rémy Girard, and Robert Carlyle.

Multimedia

Audio

Research Expert talks about making the report

Interview on trafficking in persons in Asia

Trafficking in persons (English)

Trafficking in persons (French)

Trafficking in persons (Spanish)

Trafficking in persons (Russian)

Video

Interview with Mira Sorvino

Mr.Costa Launches Human Trafficking Report

Photo Story

Human Trafficking

Press Release

English

Indicators

UN.GIFT Overview

Countries Covered by Report

Percentage of Victims from Other Regions

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People who are trafficked end up in many different
exploitative situations including sexual servitude. Victims
of human trafficking can be found in the common
forms of sexual exploitation all over the world. These
include commercial sex work, sex shows, pornography,
abuse through new technologies including online sexual
exploitation with the use of web cameras, stripping,
non-commercial sexual exploitation and marriage for the
purpose of sexual exploitation.
People vulnerable to trafficking for sexual
exploitation include:
• Females who come to work as domestic help or in
restaurants, bars and karaoke venues but who are
tricked or forced into direct or indirect sex work
• People who come to intentionally work in the sex
industry but who end up in an exploitative situation
that they did not agree too
• People, including unaccompanied minors, who migrate
by unsafe means sometimes by paying a broker
• Women are particularly at risk with a recent increase
in migration of women for various forms of labour,
including unskilled labour where protection of rights
is weak or non-existent
• Children who accompany an adult under the
perception of possible employment or the promise of
education and training. These adults are often known
to the child and trusted by their families.
Women, children and men can all become victims of
trafficking for sexual exploitation

Plot

In Prague, Czech Republic, single mother Helena (Isabelle Blais) is seduced by a successful handsome man and travels with him to spend a weekend in Vienna, Austria. He then sells her to Human Traffickers and she is brought to New York to work as a sex slave. In Kiev, Ukraine, sixteen-year-old Nadia (Laurence Leboeuf) has recently finished school and, without her father's prior consent or knowledge, she enters a modelling competition. She is selected by the bogus model agency to travel to New York with the other selected candidates, here she is forced into a life of sexual slavery. In Manila, Philippines, twelve-year-old American tourist Annie Gray (Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse) is abducted in front of her parents in a busy street by sex traffickers. She is forced into a child brothel which primarily services sex tourists. In common, the girls become victims of a powerful international network of sex traffickers lead by the powerful Sergei Karpovich (Robert Carlyle).

In New York, after the third death of young Eastern European prostitutes, obstinate Russian-American NYPD agent Kate Morozov (Mira Sorvino) convinces the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Chief Bill Meehan (Donald Sutherland) to hire her, promising him that she would fight against this type of crime and that he would not regret it.

Cast

Mira Sorvino – Agent Kate Morozov/Katya Morozova
Donald Sutherland – Agent Bill Meehan
Robert Carlyle – Sergei Karpovich
Rémy Girard – Viktor Taganov
Isabelle Blais – Helena Votrubova
Laurence Leboeuf – Nadya Taganova
Vlasta Vrana – Tommy
Céline Bonnier – Sophie
Mark Antony Krupa – Andrej
Lynne Adams – Ellen Baker
David Boutin – Frederick
Emma Campbell – Samantha Gray
Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse – Annie Gray
Michael Sorvino – Misha Morozov
Morgane Slemp - Susan
Anna Hopkins – Katerina
Dawn Ford - Viktoria Votrubova

Production

The miniseries was produced by Muse Entertainment Enterprises for broadcast on Lifetime Television. In April 2005 Muse announced that principal photography had begun and that a Canadian broadcaster would be announced shortly.^[1] The miniseries was filmed in Montreal, Bangkok, and Prague and was completed in July 2005.^[2]

Reception

Human Trafficking received generally mixed to positive reviews by critics. Alessandra Stanley of the New York Times noted that Human Traficking "avoids the seedy sensationalism that cheapens so many television depictions of the crime" and that it is "a harsh public-service message built into a clever, suspenseful thriller."^[3]

Tom Shales of The Washington Post was more negative as he found the miniseries an odd subject for Lifetime to broadcast. He noted that in attempting to, "expose a worldwide scandal" Human Trafficking, "happens to expose vast amounts of flesh in the process -- exploitation about exploitation."^[4]

John Doyle of The Globe and Mail was also negative towards the miniseries. He compared it to the "searing, shocking and hard to watch" CBC/Channel 4 miniseries Sex Traffic which "suggested a direct connection between the sex trade and NATO officials, and with Western corporations based in Eastern Europe. Doyle concluded that "While Human Trafficking is an international co-production with an international cast, it feels obstinately constructed to satisfy small-minded American viewers.

DVD

On October 25, 2005, Maple Pictures released a 2 disc DVD set of the mini-series in Canada, which contained interviews with the director and the five principal cast members on the second disc.^[5] Echo Bridge Home Entertainment released the miniseries on a single DVD in the U.S. on May 2, 2006 with deleted scenes not shown during the airing on Lifetime, interactive resources, and scene selections.^[6] The Canadian DVD is rated 14A; the U.S. release is labeled Not Rated by the MPAA due to enhanced violence of the deleted scenes.

Awards and nominations

Golden Globes[edit]

Best Actress In A TV Movie or Mini-Series: Mira Sorvino (Nominated)
Best Actor In A TV Movie or Mini-Series: Donald Sutherland (Nominated)

Emmy Awards

Human Trafficking was nominated for three Emmy Awards, one in Creative Arts for Best Music and two for Primetime

Best Actor In A TV Mini-Series: Donald Sutherland
Best Supporting Actor in a Mini-Series: Robert Carlyle.

Gemini Awards

Human Trafficking also won 3 Gemini Awards:

Best Dramatic Mini-Series (Michael Prupas, Christian Duguay, Irene Litinsky)
Best Costume Design (Marianne Carter)
Best Production Design or Art Direction in a Dramatic Program or Series (Guy Lalande)

It was nominated for 2 other Gemini Awards:

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series (Isabelle Blais)
Best Sound in a Dramatic Program (Michel B. Bordeleau, Natalie Fleurant, Louis Gignac, Hans Peter Strobl)

Statistics
Human trafficking statistical figures are often conflicting
due to:
• The clandestine nature of the crime.
• Prior to the 2003 UN protocol on Human Trafficking,
countries used varying definitions of the problem.
• Victims often don’t come forward or are considered
illegal immigrants, instead of state-identified victims.
• Most research has focused on trafficking for the purposes
of sexual exploitation. Exploitation of men and labour
exploitation are under-represented as these categories
are not recognised in the legislation of some countries.
However the following statistics give an indication of the
incidence of the crime:
• 79% of state-identified trafficked victims were
trafficked into the sex industry (21,400 state-identified
victims in 111 countries in 2006, forms of exploitation
were specified for 52 countries; UNODC, 2009)
• 43% of all victims of forced labour worldwide are
trafficked for sexual exploitation (ILO, 2005)
• Although not all prostitution involves trafficking,
estimates of women in prostitution who have been
trafficked are generally between 20-25%
• Sex trafficking alone generates approx $US7 billion
per year in profits although Interpol has given a
higher estimate of $US19 billion annually (U.S. State
Department, 2008)
• Profits from sex trafficking are approximately $US217.8
billion a year or $23,000 per victim (ILO, 2005 as cited
in U.S. State Department, 2008).
Link between sexual
exploitation and human
trafficking
A person working in the sex industry can be identified
as a victim of human trafficking if they are trapped in
servitude for the purposes of prostitution or other forms
of sexual exploitation, and this has occurred through
certain means (not necessary to prove if the person
is under 18) and acts. The “means” include the use of
threat, force, other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud,
deception or the abuse of power. The “acts” include
recruitment, transport, harbor or receipt of the person.
Contributing factors
Problems associated with poverty, weak legislation and
law enforcement, harmful social practices, the profitability
of transnational crime, and corruption all create an
enabling environment for this crime to continue.
Trafficking for sexual exploitation turns the individual
into a commodity, dehumanising them and creating an
enabling environment for the crime of trafficking to
take place (U.S. State Department, 2008). Trafficking
for the purpose of sexual exploitation occurs partially
due to the demand for prostitution and other forms
of commercial sexual practices which traffickers seek
to supply. In certain areas virginity is highly prized and
ignorance and myths about HIV and AIDS transmission
have contributed to the demand for sex with young girls.
Victims of sexual servitude may suffer long-term harmful
effects, including physical and mental trauma, HIV and
other sexually transmitted diseases; they may conceive
unwanted pregnancies and face social stigma.
Gender inequality contributes to high numbers of
women being trafficked into the sex industry. Global
poverty, lack of education and illiteracy affect females
in greater numbers than men. These vulnerabilities,
along with community and family stigma associated with
sexual violence and rape, contribute to the trafficking of
women and girls into the sex industry.
Men and boys can also be victims of sex trafficking
(2% cited by U.S. State Department in 2008). However
they are most likely under-represented in global
statistics. While statistics often highlight sexually
exploited women and girls as the greatest percentage of
human trafficking victims, men are often unrecognised as
possible victims of sexual exploitation partially due to a
lack of, or only recent adoption of relevant legislation

Human Trafficking Statistics | Polaris Project

Polaris Project | P.O. Box 77892, Washington, DC 20013 | Tel: 202.745.1001 | www.PolarisProject.org | Info@PolarisProject.org

HUMAN TRAFFICKING STATISTICS

The following is a list of available statistics estimating the scope of Human Trafficking around the world and
within the United States. Actual statistics are often unavailable, and some may be contradictory due to the
covert nature of the crime, the invisibility of victims and high levels of under-reporting. Further obstacles include
inconsistent definitions, reluctance to share data, and a lack of funding for and standardization of data
collection. Particularly lacking are estimates on the number of American citizens trafficked within the U.S.

Human Trafficking Worldwide:
 27 million – Number of people in modern-day slavery across the world.
o Source: Kevin Bales of Free the Slaves.
 According to the U.S. Department of State’s 2007 Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP
Report), estimates vary from 4 to 27 million.
 The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates 2.4 million people were victims of
human trafficking from 1995-2005. This estimate uses the UN Protocol definition of human
trafficking, and includes both transnational and internal data.

 800,000 – Number of people trafficked across international borders every year.
o Source: U.S. Department of State, Trafficking in Persons Report: 2007.
 Note:
The TIP Report in 2001 and 2002 estimated this figure at 700,000;
The TIP Report of 2003 reported 800,000 to 900,000 victims;
The TIP Reports of 2004 through 2006 reported 600,000 to 800,000 victims.

 1 million – Number of children exploited by the global commercial sex trade, every year.
o Source: U.S. Department of State, The Facts About Child Sex Tourism: 2005.

 50% – Percent of transnational victims who are children.
o Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Report to Congress from Attorney General John Ashcroft on
U.S. Government Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons in Fiscal Year 2003: 2004.

 80% – Percent of transnational victims who are women and girls.
o Source: U.S. Department of State, Trafficking in Persons Report: 2007.

 70% – Percent of female victims who are trafficked into the commercial sex industry. This means that
30% of female victims are victims of forced labor.
o Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Assessment of U.S. Government Activities to Combat
Trafficking in Persons: 2004.

 161 – Countries identified as affected by human trafficking:
o 127 countries of origin; 98 transit countries; 137 destination countries.
o Note: Countries may be counted multiple times and categories are not mutually exclusive.
o Source: UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Trafficking in Persons: Global Patterns: April 2006.

32 billion – Total yearly profits generated by the human trafficking industry.
o $15.5 billion is made in industrialized countries.
o $9.7 billion in Asia
o $13,000 per year generated on average by each “forced laborer.” This number can be as high
as $67,200 per victim per year.
o Source: ILO, A global alliance against forced labor: 2005.

Foreign Nationals Trafficked into the U.S.:
 14,500 - 17,500 – Number of foreign nationals trafficked into the United States every year. Human Trafficking Statistics | Polaris Project

Polaris Project | P.O. Box 77892, Washington, DC 20013 | Tel: 202.745.1001 | www.PolarisProject.org | Info@PolarisProject.org

o This is the most recent U.S. government statistic. However, it is constantly being revisited, and a
newer statistic is currently under study and review.
o Source: DOJ, HHS, DOS, DOL, DHS, and USAID. Assessment of U.S. Government Efforts to Combat
Trafficking in Persons: June, 2004
 The TIP Report in 2001 estimated this number at 45,000-50,0001
 The TIP Report in 2002 estimated 50,000
 The TIP Report in 2003 estimated 18,000 – 20,0002

 1, 379 – Number of foreign national victims of human trafficking certified by the Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS) from October 2000 through FY 2007.
o 131 minors, and 1,248 adults
o These victims originate from at least 77 different countries.
o Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Anti-trafficking in Persons Department;
U.S. Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report: 2007.

 1,318 – Number of T visas granted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from FY 2000 through
November 1, 2008 to human trafficking survivors. 729 visas were issued between FY 2000 and FY 2006.
o Another 1,076 derivative T visas were granted to family members.
o DHS is authorized to issue up to 5,000 T-visas per year.
o Source: USCIS; U.S. Department of State, Trafficking in Persons Report: 2007.

Human Trafficking of U.S. citizens within the U.S.:
 244,000 – Number of American children and youth estimated to be at risk of child sexual exploitation,
including commercial sexual exploitation, in 2000.
o Source: Estes, Richard J. and Neil A. Weiner. The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in
the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work: 2001.
Study funded by the Department of Justice.

 38,600 – Estimated number of an approximate 1.6 million runaway/thrownaway youth at risk of sexual
endangerment or exploitation in 1999.
o Source: U.S. Department of Justice: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention,
Runaway/Thrownaway Children: National Estimates and Characteristics. NISMART Series: 2002.

 12-14 – Average age of entry into prostitution
o Source: Estes, Richard J. and Neil A. Weiner. The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in
the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work: 2001.

Human Trafficking within the U.S. by State
Very little research has been done to determine the extent of human trafficking on the state level. Several
state-wide reports have been published however, due to data collection limitations the following statistics
should be taken as baseline estimates only. These statistics are not definitive or comprehensive estimates.

California:
 559 – Potential victims identified between Dec. 1, 2005 and March 12, 2007 by five CA Task Forces.
 57 – Number of applications for continued presence submitted during the same time period.
o Source: CA Alliance to Combat Trafficking and Slavery Task Force, Human Trafficking in
California Final Report: October 2007.
Virginia:
 43 – Number of trafficking victims served by 4 organizations in Northern Virginia.
o Source: Polaris Project, Fact Sheet on Human Trafficking.

1
Amy O’Neill Richard. International Trafficking in Women to the United States: A Contemporary Manifestation of Slavery and
Organized Crime. Center for the Study of Intelligence: November 1999.
2
DOJ, HHS, DOS, DOL, DHS, and USAID. Assessment of U.S. Government Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons: August 2003. Human Trafficking Statistics | Polaris Project

Polaris Project | P.O. Box 77892, Washington, DC 20013 | Tel: 202.745.1001 | www.PolarisProject.org | Info@PolarisProject.org

Wisconsin:
 200 – Number of identified cases of sex and labor trafficking.
 85% – Proportion of victims in the 200 identified cases who were adults.
 75% – Proportion of victims in the 200 identified cases who were victims of sex trafficking.
o Data obtained through a survey of over 1,300 sexual assault and domestic violence service
providers, law enforcement and district attorney’s offices, with a 30% return rate.
o Source: WI Office of Justice Assistance, Hidden in Plain Sight: A Baseline Survey of Human
Trafficking in Wisconsin: February 2008.

U.S. Investigations, Prosecutions, and Convictions
It is likely that the numbers of traffickers convicted are higher than those reported below. Defendants may be
charged with other crimes such as kidnapping, immigration violations or money laundering for strategic or
technical reasons. Also note that data is not comparable across agencies as a result of the complexity of
investigations and the incompatibility and limitations of agency data systems.

Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Civil Rights Unit:
 751 – Number of trafficking cases opened between 2001 and April 5th, 2007.
o The numbers of cases opened has increased: from 54 in 2001 to 126 in 2006,
 185 – Convictions
o The number of convictions has increased: from 15 in 2001 to 70 in 2006.
o Includes joint investigations with ICE, and both sex and labor trafficking.
o Source: Government Accountability Office, Human Trafficking: A Strategic Framework Could
Help Enhance the Interagency Collaboration Needed to Effectively Combat Trafficking Crimes:
2007.
FBI Crimes Against Children Unit – Innocence Lost National Initiative:
 327 – Number of trafficking cases opened from 2004 through June 5th, 2007.
o The number of cases opened has increased every year: from 67 in 2004 to 103 in 2006.
 182 – Number of convictions.
o The number of convictions has also increased: from 22 in 2004 to 43 in 2006.
o Source: GAO, Human Trafficking: A Strategic Framework Could Help Enhance the Interagency
Collaboration Needed to Effectively Combat Trafficking Crimes: 2007.
Civil Rights Division/Criminal Section and U.S. Attorney’s Offices (Dept. of Justice):
 139 – Number of trafficking cases prosecuted 2001 – June 14, 2007, under the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act, (TVPA).
o 100 cases of sex trafficking; 39 cases of labor trafficking.
 19 – Number of trafficking cases prosecuted1995 – 2000, prior to the TVPA.
o 7 cases of sex trafficking; 12 cases of labor trafficking
 302 – Number of defendants convicted 2001 – June 14, 2007, under the TVPA
228 sex trafficking; 74 labor trafficking
 67 – Number of defendants convicted 1995 – 2000, prior to the TVPA.
o 20 sex trafficking; 47 labor trafficking
o Source: GAO, Human Trafficking: A Strategic Framework Could Help Enhance the Interagency
Collaboration Needed to Effectively Combat Trafficking Crimes: 2007.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE):
 899 – Number of trafficking cases opened between FY 2005 and May 31st, 2007
o 557 sexual exploitation; 257 forced labor; 85 other
 264 – Number of convictions.
o 129 sexual exploitation; 17 forced labor; 118 other
o Source: GAO, Human Trafficking: A Strategic Framework Could Help Enhance the Interagency
Collaboration Needed to Effectively Combat Trafficking Crimes: 2007.
 61 – Number of arrests for child sex tourism made by ICE Operation Predator from July 2003 through
June 2007.
o Source: DOJ, Assessment of U.S. Government Activities to Combat Trafficking in Persons:

September 2007

UNODC report on human trafficking exposes modern form of slavery

A Global Report on Trafficking in Persons launched today by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) provides new information on a crime that shames us all.

Based on data gathered from 155 countries, it offers the first global assessment of the scope of human trafficking and what is being done to fight it. It includes: an overview of trafficking patterns; legal steps taken in response; and country-specific information on reported cases of trafficking in persons, victims, and prosecutions.

At the launch of the Report in New York, the Executive Director of UNODC, Antonio Maria Costa said that "many governments are still in denial. There is even neglect when it comes to either reporting on, or prosecuting cases of human trafficking". He pointed to the fact that while the number of convictions for human trafficking is increasing, two out of every five countries covered by the UNODC Report had not recorded a single conviction.

According to the Report, the most common form of human trafficking (79%) is sexual exploitation. The victims of sexual exploitation are predominantly women and girls. Surprisingly, in 30% of the countries which provided information on the gender of traffickers, women make up the largest proportion of traffickers. In some parts of the world, women trafficking women is the norm.

The second most common form of human trafficking is forced labour (18%), although this may be a misrepresentation because forced labour is less frequently detected and reported than trafficking for sexual exploitation.

Worldwide, almost 20% of all trafficking victims are children. However, in some parts of Africa and the Mekong region, children are the majority (up to 100% in parts of West Africa).

Although trafficking seems to imply people moving across continents, most exploitation takes place close to home. Data show intra-regional and domestic trafficking are the major forms of trafficking in persons.

The United Nations Protocol against Trafficking in Persons - the foremost international agreement in this area - entered into force in 2003. The Report shows that in the past few years the number of Member States seriously implementing the Protocol has more than doubled (from 54 to 125 out of the 155 States covered). However, there are still many countries that lack the necessary legal instruments or political will.

"This Report increases our understanding of modern slave markets, yet it also exposes our ignorance", said Mr. Costa. "We have a big picture, but it is impressionistic and lacks depth. We fear the problem is getting worse, but we can not prove it for lack of data, and many governments are obstructing", he admitted. The head of UNODC therefore called on governments and social scientists to improve information-gathering and -sharing on human trafficking. "If we do not overcome this knowledge crisis we will be fighting the problem blindfolded", he warned.

In a Panel Discussion on "Exposing Denial and Benign Neglect", Mr. Costa called on governments, the private sector, and the public at large to step up the fight against trafficking in persons. "More must be done to reduce the vulnerability of victims, increase the risks to traffickers, and lower demand for the goods and services of modern-day slaves", he said.

To increase public awareness of human trafficking and rally the world to fight it, Mr. Costa appointed Academy Award-winning actress Mira Sorvino as a Goodwill Ambassador to Combat Human Trafficking. "We know that Mira's commitment to the plight of trafficking victims will move people to take action against modern-day slavery", said the Executive Director of UNODC.