The Vienna forum report: a way forward to combat human trafficking

Issues such as disempowerment, social exclusion and economic vulnerability are the  result of policies and practices that marginalise entire groups of people and make them  vulnerable to being trafficked. Individuals are vulnerable to trafficking not only because  of conditions in their countries of origin. The allure of opportunity, the relentless demand for inexpensive goods and services and the expectation of reliable income drive people  into potentially dangerous situations where they are at risk of being exploited. This report describes the discussions, activities and accomplishments of the Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking, held in Vienna from 13 to 15 February 2008.

Twenty-eight panels, workshops, special sessions and side events were held as part of the Forum with a view to exploring the themes of vulnerability, impact and action and to  offering an opportunity for dialogue on preventing and combating trafficking in persons. This report summarises the discussions, findings and proposed recommendations of  each of those sessions and events.

Areas covering vulnerability, impact and action are discussed. They include:

• demand for forced labour and sexual exploitation: how and why it fuels human trafficking
• trafficking in persons for removal of organs and body parts
• the consequences of sexual exploitation, especially for women and children
• the role of the media in building images
• the roles of employers’ organisations, businesses and trade unions in combating trafficking for labour exploitation
• proactive prevention; what works: reducing the risks and providing protection.