Counting Shadows - Measuring trafficking in Persons in Australia

The true extent and nature of trafficking in persons in Australia remains a mystery despite wild speculations about the scale of this problem. This article aims to dispel some of the confusion surrounding trafficking in persons by examining the claims made about the prevalence of this offence and displacing many of the myths about the number of victims in Australia. This involves an analysis of the Australian Government's approach to data collection and a critical examination of the data provided by non-official sources, especially non-governmental organisations and advocacy groups. The article also investigates the 'dark figure' of trafficking in persons in Australia and concludes by developing recommendations to measure trafficking in persons in Australia more accurately and by offering directions for further research in this field

Trafficking in persons from Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar to Thailand

This report examines the trafficking in persons from Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), and the Union of Myanmar (Myanmar) to Thailand.\ua0 It explores the circumstances that make Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar source countries for trafficking, the means and routes used to traffic persons to Thailand, the conditions of such trafficking, the profile of victims and perpetrators, the circumstances that make Thailand a destination for trafficking, and the exploitation of trafficked persons in Thailand and the countries of origin

The market for amphetamine-type stimulants and their precursors in Oceania

Oceania, most notably Australia and New Zealand, has emerged as the region with the highest rate of consumption of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), including ecstasy, a disproportionately large share in relation to the population in the area. The illicit ATS trade in Oceania is of great concern to contemporary criminal justice and poses an imminent challenge to law enforcement agencies, governments, and the international community. This study examines the market for ATS in Oceania including Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, and the involvement of criminal organisations in that market. It explores contemporary patterns of ATS production, trafficking, and demand in the region, analyses the involvement of organised crime, and reviews current legislative frameworks - domestic and international - to penalise activities in the illicit ATS market, especially those relating to organised crime activities. The study focuses on the production, trafficking, importation, and consumption of ATS in Oceania, and is limited to synthetic drugs that are commonly classified as amphetamine-type stimulants, including amphetamine, methylamphetamine, MDMA, MDA, and MDEA. The study also covers precursor chemicals used in the manufacturing of ATS. Part one analyses current levels of production of ATS in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, the availability of and illicit trade in ATS precursors, the market factors of ATS production, and organised crime involvement in ATS production and precursor trading. The second part outlines contemporary patterns and levels of ATS trafficking and importation in Oceania, market factors, and organised crime involvement. Part three identifies current prevalence of ATS consumption in the region and examines the retail market and retail prices for these substances. The fourth part analyses existing domestic and international legal frameworks relevant to the criminalisation of the illicit, commercial ATS and ATS-precursor trade. This part outlines and examines relevant provisions under international legal instruments, their implementation into domestic laws of the countries in the region, and other relevant penal provisions under domestic law. The study concludes by highlighting some key indicators of the ATS trade in Oceania and developing a set of basic suggestions for policy change and law reform

Be Careful What You Pay For: Awareness Raising on Trafficking in Persons

Raising awareness and educating the public about the causes, consequences, and signs of trafficking in persons are important tools to prevent and detect this heinous crime. A version of this Article was presented as a speech at the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime Working Group on Trafficking in Persons in Vienna, Austria, on October 12, 2011 as well as at Washington University School of Law on October 7, 2011. This Article examines international law and best practice guidelines relevant to awareness raising and assesses past campaigns against these standards. The Article then articulates goals, recommendations, and elements for successful awareness campaigns, especially in destinations of trafficking in persons. By way of example, a new Australian awareness campaign entitled “Be Careful What You Pay For” is outlined to demonstrate the practical implementation of these best practice guidelines and research outcomes