According to the Defense Institute of International Studies, "Human trafficking is
the third largest criminal activity in the world, behind illegal arms and drug sales.
It is a leading source of profits for organized crime, generating between $7 billion
and $10 billion annually according to U.N. estimates." In 2010, the U.S. was included
in the Annual U.S. Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report for the first
time and was described as a "…source, transit, and destination country for men, women
and children subjected to trafficking in persons, specifically for forced labor, debt
bondage, and forced prostitution…" The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000
(TVPA) and its reauthorizations in '03, '05 and '08 were devised to address the problem
of human trafficking in America. Today, the Human Trafficking Reporting System (HTRS)
tracks U.S. human trafficking incidents to provide data to the U.S. Department of
Justice.
Human trafficking investigations often require active participation by multiple agencies.
According to the HTRS, 83% of alleged human trafficking incidents in the U.S. involved
state or local law enforcement as the lead agency, and 16% involved federal agencies
as the lead investigating agency. New Jersey participates in the National Human Trafficking
Resource Center (NHRTC) which reported 205 calls from New Jersey in 2010. While this
figure is not intended to represent the actual number of trafficked individuals in
the state (which is estimated to be much higher), the following news stories also
confirm human trafficking exploitation in our neighboring communities:
- "Authorities Break Up Alleged Human Trafficking Scheme," June 14, 2011, NJTODAY.NET
- "Human Trafficking in the United States," April 23, 2011, NTTimes.com
- "2 arrested in Atlantic City human trafficking bust," March 9, 2011, ABClocal.com
- "NJ Congressman Chris Smith praises West Windsor cops, feds for stopping possible
rings of prostitution and human trafficking," October 26, 2010, The Trentonian
- "West African woman gets 27 years in prison for running human trafficking ring in
N.J.," September 21, 2010, The Star-Ledger
- "Man gets four years in N.J. human trafficking case," June 28, 2010, NJ.com
Seton Hall Law School has a significant history in both immigration law and issues
involving human trafficking, as demonstrated by its courses, including a study abroad
program in Zanzibar that focuses on human trafficking and modern day slavery and an
Immigrants' Rights/International Human Rights Clinic that represents victims of human
trafficking in New Jersey. Join Seton Hall Law faculty and invited guest presenters
for a unique CLE program in which speakers discuss strategies involved in preparing
a damages case, how to pursue civil litigation for clients who are the victims of
human trafficking, and pursuing immigration status.
This event is free of charge. 2 NJ/NY CLE credits available for attorneys only.
Sponsored by the Center for Social Justice, Seton Hall University School of Law and
the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office.
For more information, please contact Stephanie Savoia-Pearl at 973-642-8293.
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EVENT RESCHEDULED Monday, December 3, 2012
Registration: 5:30 p.m. Program: 6:15 - 8:15 p.m.
2 NJ/NY CLE Credits
New Registrations only
ALREADY REGISTERED but can't attend? Let us know here. >>
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