Beyond the Shackles and Chains of the Middle Passage: Human Trafficking Unveiled (Comment)

Abstract

This Comment analyzes the Trafficking Victims Protection Act by exploring the act's failures and successes. Part II looks at factors contributing to the rise of human trafficking. Part III provides a critical analysis of the TVPA, its purposes, and its shortcomings. Finally, Part IV proposes amendments that may aid law enforcement in protecting victims, as well as prosecuting traffickers. Reform must identify areas in the United States where trafficking activities are concentrated and move adequate resources, such as law enforcement training and mental health services for victims, to these areas. Second, funding for combating human trafficking should be reallocated from efforts abroad to law enforcement at home. American officials are better equipped to effectively utilize those resources for the benefit of trafficking victims. Finally, the TVPA must better provide ongoing mental health assistance to victims before, during, and after the traffickers have been prosecuted. This will better enable victims to aid law enforcement in finding and prosecuting traffickers, and will prevent survivors from being re-victimized in the future