Human trafficking

Human trafficking, a grave violation of human rights, poses a significant challenge to the realization of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A form of modern-day slavery, human trafficking involves the exploitation of men, women, and children for labor and sexual services, usually achieved through coercion, fraud, or force. This issue directly contravenes the principle of 'Leaving No One Behind' – the underlying ethos of the SDGs.

Human trafficking impedes progress on several SDGs, particularly Goal 5, 'Gender Equality,' and Goal 8, 'Decent Work and Economic Growth.' These goals aim to eradicate gender disparities and promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth with full and productive employment, respectively. By creating an environment of inequality and economic instability, human trafficking diminishes these pursuits.

Additionally, it also obstructs the achievement of Goal 16, 'Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions,' since it thrives in settings of weak governance, conflict, and corruption. Victims are denied access to justice and effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions—key aspects of this SDG.

Furthermore, human trafficking exacerbates issues related to Goals 1, 'No Poverty,' and 4, 'Quality Education.' It disproportionately affects economically disadvantaged groups, contributing to cycles of poverty. Simultaneously, it denies many victims access to quality education, thereby inhibiting lifelong learning opportunities and individual empowerment.

To effectively combat human trafficking and advance the SDGs, a coordinated global effort is needed. It demands strengthening national and international laws, promoting cooperation among countries, and fostering public-private partnerships. Increased awareness and recognition of the indicators of human trafficking are critical, as are comprehensive victim support services. Implementing robust preventive measures and holding traffickers accountable are also essential. It is through this holistic approach that the menace of human trafficking can be tackled, creating a more equitable world that aligns with the vision of the SDGs.

This article provides insight into an international company that is dealing with human rights issues in its supply chain from the past, in particular modern slavery, but which in recent years has been one of the early adopters of ongoing human rights due diligence. This is in line with the goal of SDG target 8.7 which is to take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.

LexisNexis Australia has created a free legal resource to assist those working on pro bono cases and social justice issues. It provides practical information on charities, federal discrimination law matters, human trafficking cases and applying for humanitarian immigration into Australia for victims of human trafficking. This free guidance supports target 8.7 and the eradication of forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking, as well as SDG 16.3 and access to justice.

LexisNexis partnered with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) to develop the Automated Delivery of Alerts on Missing Children Programme, known as ADAM. SDG 16.2 aims is to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children and the ADAM Programme provides a simple solution to engage citizens, businesses and organisations in finding missing children in the US.
Consumers' purchasing behaviour is increasingly influenced by businesses' ethical behaviour. As Christmas is a time of celebration and this goes hand in hand with consumption, this article explored some of the products that are at risk of being produced by people in modern slavery.
This feature length article highlights findings from three new reports, showing the progress by companies complying with the UK Modern Slavery Act. With almost half of FTSE companies currently not complying, and 77% of companies that participated in a recent research study agreeing there is a likelihood of modern slavery occurring in their supply chains - there is still much to do. The goal of SDG target 8.7 is to take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.
18th October 2016 was the 10th EU Anti-Trafficking Day, coinciding with the UK's Anti-Slavery Day. This article published on this day of awareness reflected on the considerations and opportunities for businesses regarding modern slavery, including the establishment of Alliance 8.7, focused on accelerating the work on SDG 8.7, which is to take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.
Lexis Nexis Construction
There are more than 45 million victims of modern slavery globally with a significant number involved in construction. This report argues that forced labour and modern slavery are common throughout the global construction industry. Engaging key stakeholders and raising awareness of the issue from a global perspective are key to the advancement of SDG target 8.7 to eradicate forced labour, ending modern slavery and human trafficking by 2025.
The number of victims of modern slavery in England and Wales has increased fivefold since 2012, according to a new report issued by the Salvation Army. This increase magnifies the risk to companies of doing business with third-parties involved in modern slavery and human trafficking if proper precautions are not taken. Raising awarenress of modern slavery is vital to the advancement of SDG 8.7 to eradicate forced labour, ending modern slavery and human trafficking by 2025.
The importance of the media’s reporting on human trafficking and reaction in the media to the UN 'World Day against Trafficking in Person' is analysed in this article. The link between migration and trafficking is also highlighted. This provides insights to assist SDG 8.7 to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking by 2025.
Human trafficking is one of the main profit-generating activities for organised criminals in Europe and the revenue generated is often laundered through the financial system. Understanding the complexities of human trafficking is vital to both SDG 8.7 to take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and SDG 16.4 to significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.

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