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Coalition Against Trafficking in Women

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Coalition Against Trafficking in Women
Founded1988
Websitehttp://www.catwinternational.org/

Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) is a non-governmental organization that works “to end human trafficking in our lifetime.”[1] CATW is one of the oldest organizations in the world to fight human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of women and girls internationally. It is also a leading abolitionist organization. CATW and its partners engage in advocacy, education, victim services, and prevention programs for victims of trafficking and prostitution in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, and North America, including in the United States.

History

Since 1988, CATW has provided widely recognized leadership in promoting policy and educational measures to raise awareness about the root causes of human trafficking on local, national, regional, and international levels. CATW holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC[2]) and was a key consultant at the UN Transnational Organized Crime Meeting that took place from 1999–2000.[3] The outcome of the meeting was the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (Palermo Protocol), the most recognized legal instrument on human trafficking. Internationally, CATW serves as expert witness in courts and conducts seminars and briefings with national parliamentarians and lawmakers to advance laws that comprehensively address trafficking in women and children, with a special focus on targeting the demand for prostitution.

Today, human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal activity in the world. It is tied with arms trafficking as the second largest international criminal industry, after drug trafficking.[4] Human trafficking for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation, including prostitution, is a serious, pervasive and growing international problem. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimated that women and girls account for 75% of all trafficked victims and that 27% of all trafficked victims are children.[5] With increased globalization and free market policies, sex trafficking has become a low-risk, high-profit activity for organized crime and traffickers. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates revenues from human trafficking reach the amount of US $150 billion dollars worldwide, $90 billion of which is generated from sex trafficking.[6]

The economic, social, cultural, legal, and political inequalities that impact women and girls provide a breeding ground for human trafficking. In addition, most victims are individuals who have often suffered prior sexual violence, making those who have been subjected to this type of abuse especially at-risk to recruitment into the sex industry. The lack of viable educational and economic opportunities in trafficked persons’ countries of origin also increases their vulnerability. Generally speaking, women and girls from society’s most oppressed, disenfranchised, and vulnerable groups are at the highest risk of being exploited and victimized by sex traffickers, pimps, and buyers of sex.

International

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

The UDHR calls on governments to ensure that its citizens are guaranteed the right to live life with dignity and freedom from violence. The UDHR also condemns human servitude and slavery.[7]

The Convention Against All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

CEDAW deems prostitution as a violation of women’s rights. It calls on states to take all necessary measures in order to suppress and address the exploitation of women, especially the traffic and prostitution of women.[8]

The 2000 Palermo Protocol

The Palermo Protocol offers the most comprehensive and internationally accepted definition of human trafficking (also referred to as trafficking in persons). It defines trafficking in persons as:

“The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.”

Furthermore, the Protocol establishes that “the consent” of a victim of human trafficking is irrelevant[9]

National

There are three main legal frameworks that govern prostitution on a national level: criminalization, legalization (also referred to as decriminalization), and the Nordic Model. CATW supports and advocates for the Nordic Model.

  1. Criminalization- Within this framework, prostitution is illegal. The buying and selling of sexual services is a crime punishable by law. An example of a country that institutes the criminalization framework is the United States, except for a few counties in the state of Nevada.
  2. Legalization or Decriminalization- Within this framework, prostitution is regulated by the state. It is CATW’s stance that the legalization of prostitution inevitably promotes and legitimizes the sex industry as an acceptable business. Any state that legalizes or decriminalizes the sex industry allows pimps and procurers to continuously exploit and sell women for profit with impunity. Legalization or decriminalization of the industry of prostitution fosters sex trafficking by increasing the demand for commercial sex.
  3. The Nordic Model- To combat sex trafficking, CATW strongly advocates for and promotes the implementation of the Nordic Model, a set of laws that criminalizes the purchase of and demand for sexual services, while decriminalizing persons in prostitution and providing support and exit strategies for those who wish to leave prostitution. The Nordic Model originated in Sweden (1999), and has been passed in Norway (2008), and Iceland (2009).[10] It is the world’s first human rights-based legal approach to ending sex trafficking and one that recognizes prostitution as gender-based violence and a violation of women’s fundamental rights. Following this example, France adopted the Nordic Model in April 2016. Paying for sexual acts now carries a fine of 1,500 euros ($1,700). Repeat offenders could be fined up to 3,750 euros ($4,260). The law provides resources for national exit programs, as well as financial compensation and temporary housing to victims of prostitution and trafficking.[11]

Examples of Legalization or Decriminalization of Prostitution: Experiments that Harm Women

  • The Netherlands: In 2000, the Netherlands passed a law that recognizes and regulates the commercial sex industry as a legal entity. Research has shown, however, that legalization in the country has not only promoted violence against women in prostitution, but has also fostered sex trafficking by giving pimps and traffickers license to exploit women.[12]
  • Germany: In 2002, a majority coalition of Social Democrats and Green Party members passed the Prostitution Act through the Budenstag. The new law decriminalized the buying and selling of commercial sex, acknowledging the industry as a legal entity and purporting that prostitution is “a job like any other,”[13] in an attempt to improve conditions for prostituted women.[14]
    • However, a 2007 report from the German Federal Government itself found that the Prostitution Act has not improved the conditions of women in the sex trade. The report also uncovered that the German government does not provide adequate exit strategies for women in the sex trade or protect them from violence. It realized that the Prostitution Act “has not been able to make actual, measurable improvements to prostitutes’ social protection… and working conditions.” [15] The Act failed to reduce crime and improve the lives of the women in prostitution. Finally, the report concluded that prostitution should not be considered a reasonable means to guarantee the survival of any person.[16] German law enforcement officials have recognized that the laws in place protect pimps, not the prostituted. It has been difficult to control brothel activity in the country, and, in the last two decades, the number of women in prostitution has doubled.[17]
  • Australia: Legalizing prostitution in certain states within Australia did not end sexual violence against prostituted women. Instead, it increased the number of illegal brothels, and decreased the probability of identifying pimps and sex traffickers. Furthermore, legalization has increased trafficking, especially in foreign women.[18] Aboriginal women are especially vulnerable to prostitution because of poverty, social exclusion, and racism.[19]
  • New Zealand: The Prostitution Reform Act decriminalizing prostitution was passed in June 2003, with the aim of protecting women in prostitution. Decriminalization, however, did not decrease violence against women, especially in street-based prostitution.[20] Furthermore, Aboriginal women, especially teens, in New Zealand are overrepresented in prostitution due to factors such as poverty and discrimination.[21]

Success of the Nordic Model

The Nordic Model is proving to be the best option for tackling the problem of sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. In fact, the Swedish government reported that police and other government entities found that prostitution has decreased since this law was implemented.[22] Efforts in Sweden have shown that criminalizing demand actually means decreasing demand, which, in turn, contributes to a decrease in prostitution. In addition, social norms in Sweden have been altered significantly, thus reducing the normalization of prostitution. In particular, the views of men toward the buying of sex have changed after the law was instituted. A survey conducted among Swedish men found that the law played a role in decisions to stop or decrease sex-buying. In 1996, 13% of men said they purchased sex, as opposed to only 8% in 2008.[23] Because the law holds buyers of sex accountable, it has a deterrent effect. As long as men who purchase sex are not held accountable for their actions, they will continue to exploit, buy, and violate women’s bodies.

A New Global Trend

Recently, other countries have adopted or are contemplating demand-focused legislation.

In December 2014, the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act, known as Bill C-36, came into force in Canada. The new law decriminalizes prostituted individuals, while holding buyers of sex, as well as any third party activity that benefits from commercial sexual exploitation, accountable.[24] Also in December 2014, the Northern Ireland Assembly officially passed the groundbreaking Human Trafficking and Exploitation Act, which not only provides support services for victims of trafficking, but also aspires to curb sex trafficking by penalizing the purchase of sex and decriminalizing individuals who are prostituted. These legal provisions will serve to strengthen existing Northern Ireland legislation.[25] Additionally, Ireland and Israel are in the process of considering demand-focused legislation.

MEP Mary Honeyball’s leadership on examining prostitution as violence against women and the goal of sex trafficking issued a crucial report that then led the European Parliament to pass a resolution. In an historic step for the abolitionist movement, the resolution recognizes that prostitution is an obstacle to gender equality and a violation of human rights, and that demand reduction must be part of an integrated strategy in member states to combat the sex trade.

Harms of Prostitution

The commercial sex trade benefits sex traffickers, pimps, and buyers of sex — not women. Prostitution and other sex industries have devastating physical, mental, and emotional implications on human beings. Research has shown that the harms prostitution inflicts are physical, emotional, and psychological. These effects include, but are not limited to, “exhaustion, frequent viral illness, STDs, vaginal infections, back aches, sleeplessness, depression, headaches, stomachaches, and eating disorders.” Whether prostitution is legal or decriminalized the reality remains that “most young women in prostitution [have been] abused or beaten by johns as well as pimps." [26] The UN strongly recommends that state laws should ensure full protection of women against sexual harassment, abuse, and gender-based violence, as well as provide victims with adequate support services.[27]

Myths About Prostitution

  1. “Prostitution is the oldest profession in the world.” False.
    • Pimping is the oldest profession. Prostitution is a form of violence against women that is as old as domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. It is male violence against women and girls based on gender inequality.
  2. “Prostitution is a choice and a job like any other.” False.
    • Prostituted women face a mortality rate as high as 40 times the average worker.[28] They also face violence on a regular basis. Most people enter into the commercial sex industry as children. This is due to poverty, homelessness, sexual abuse, incest, and other vulnerabilities.
  3. “Prostitution is a way for women to have control over their body.” False.
    • We must not interchange reproductive and sexual rights with prostitution. Prostitution is inherently exploitative of a woman’s body. The commodification of women’s bodies and of sexuality gives the ability for men to control women’s bodies.

Terminology

“Sex worker,” “adult service provider,” and “commercial sex worker” are terms that hide the abusive nature of prostitution. “Sex worker” or “sex work” normalizes and legitimizes prostitution as work. These terms were coined by the sex industry and its promoters who falsely claim that prostitution is harmless, glamorous, and fun.

The commercial sex trade is the end point for sex trafficking. Without a vibrant sex industry, of which prostitution is a part, there would be no sex trafficking. Similarly, in a world where women and girls are deemed equal human beings, there would be no sex industry and consequently no prostitution.

There is no distinction between markets for “free” or “forced” prostitution. The third party exploitation remains the same. Thus, sex industry establishments such as lap dance parlors, strip clubs, and “massage” parlors facilitate the exploitation of women and children who are bought and sold for the purpose of commercial sex.[29]

Structure and Regional Networks

CATW's Work Worldwide

Campaigns, Programs, and Projects

  • Measures to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings
    • Addresses perceived gaps in current anti-trafficking programs and policies with a focus on gender equality, demand, and the links between trafficking and prostitution (some participating countries include Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic)
  • Aiding Victims of Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation
    • Provides multi-level services, financial aid, psychological support, housing, and legal advocacy for victims of sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.
  • The Prevention Project
    • Multi-tiered project to prevent sex trafficking and sexual exploitation by developing standard practices (some participating countries include Italy, Nigeria, Mali, Mexico, the Republic of Georgia)
  • Human Rights Documentation Project
    • Conducts training sessions that instruct women’s organizations in feminist research methods.
  • Global Campaign for a Sex Trafficking Free Internet
    • The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women has held campaigns against Craigslist and Backpage.com protesting their facilitation of international sex trafficking.

Practice Areas

  • Legislative Advocacy
    • CATW advocates for local, national, and international laws and policies targeted at ending the trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of women and girls. Advocacy efforts take place within the United Nations, as well as before governments worldwide. CATW also testifies before national congresses, parliaments, law reform commissions, and the United Nations.[30]
  • Education and Prevention
    • CATW combines education and policy advocacy with direct services and prevention programs for victims and survivors of trafficking and commercial sexual violence. The organization and its partners provide multi-level services to those in the process of exiting or who have already left the industry; and stages "training" sessions for educators, law enforcement and government officials, and community leaders.[31]
  • Ending the Demand
    • The demand for commercial sex fuels sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. To tackle this problem, CATW advocates for “end-demand” legislation and policies, such as the Nordic Model. The organization and its partners also work with men and boys through educational programs aimed at creating different masculinities that promote and value women and girls as full human beings.
    • CATW believes that we cannot end sex trafficking until the demand for commercial sex is addressed

Funding

CATW relies largely on foundation grants as well as individual donors to support its program, development, and operating costs.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Mission". www.catwinternational.org. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
  2. ^ Civil Society Participation”. NGO Branch: United Nations Department f Economic and Social Affairs.” Retrieved 9 July 2014
  3. ^ “Who We Are”. Coalition Against Trafficking in Women
  4. ^ “Human Trafficking”. State of California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General. Retrieved 14 July 2014
  5. ^ UNODC. 2012 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  6. ^ International Labour Organization. (2014) Profits and Poverty: The Economics of Forced Labour. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  7. ^ United Nations Department of Public Information. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 2 December 1949.
  8. ^ UN General Assembly. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women- General Recommendation 19, 11th Session, 1992 Article 6. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  9. ^ UN General Assembly. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women- General Recommendation 19, 11th Session, 1992 Article 6. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  10. ^ “Best Practices: Ending the Demand”. Coalition Against Trafficking in Women. Retrieved 9 July 2014
  11. ^ Nationale, Assemblée. "Texte adopté n° 716 - Proposition de loi, adoptée, par l'Assemblée nationale, dans les conditions prévues à l'article 45, alinéa 4, de la Constitution, visant à renforcer la lutte contre le système prostitutionnel et à accompagner les personnes prostituées - XIVe législature - Assemblée nationale". www2.assemblee-nationale.fr. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
  12. ^ Carrigg, Hannah. “Prostitution Regimes in the Netherlands and Sweden: Their Impact on the Trafficking of Women and Children in Illicit Sex Industries.” The Monitor. Fall 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  13. ^ Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. “Report by the Federal Government on the Impact of the Act Regulating the Legal Situation of Prostitutes (Prostitution Act).” July 2007. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  14. ^ Diu, Nisha Lilia. “Welcome to Paradise: inside the world of legalised prostitution.” The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  15. ^ Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. “Report by the Federal Government on the Impact of the Act Regulating the Legal Situation of Prostitutes (Prostitution Act).” July 2007. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  16. ^ Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. “Report by the Federal Government on the Impact of the Act Regulating the Legal Situation of Prostitutes (Prostitution Act).” July 2007. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  17. ^ Germany is now the ‘bordello of Europe.’ The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 January 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  18. ^ Dale, Youngbee. Legalized Prostitution in Australia Attracts Traffickers. The Washington Times Communities. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  19. ^ Long-grassers: Indigenous women trade sex for food and cigarettes. News. May 6, 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  20. ^ Prostitution Law Reform Committee, Report of the Prostitution Law Review Committee on the Operation of the Prostitution Reform Act 2003. May 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  21. ^ Farley, Melissa, Jacqueline Lynne and Ann Cotton. “Prostitution in Vancouver: Violence and the Colonization of First Nations Women.” Transcultural Psychiatry 42:2 (2005): 242 – 271.
  22. ^ “Resources: Trafficking, Prostitution and the Sex Industry: The Nordic Legal Model”. Coalition Against Trafficking in Women. 19 July 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2014
  23. ^ “The Effects of the Swedish Ban on the Purchase of Sexual Services.” March 8 Initiative. November 2012.
  24. ^ "Bill C-36 (Historical) | openparliament.ca". openparliament.ca. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
  25. ^ "Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015". www.legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
  26. ^ Farley, Melissa. Harms of Prostitution. October 2014
  27. ^ UN General Assembly. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women- General Recommendation 19, 11th Session, 1992. Article 16. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  28. ^ Farley, Melissa. Harms of Prostitution. October 2014
  29. ^ “Presentation to UN Special Seminar on Trafficking, Prostitution and the Global Sex Industry: Part One.” Un Statements. Coalition Against Trafficking in Women. 12 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2014
  30. ^ “Best Practices: Legislative Advocacy”. Coalition Against Trafficking in Women. Retrieved 9 July 2014
  31. ^ “Presentation to UN Special Seminar on Trafficking, Prostitution and the Global Sex Industry: Part One.” Un Statements. Coalition Against Trafficking in Women. 12 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2014
  32. ^ "Wikipedia".
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