An Introduction to Human Trafficking - United Nations Office on ...

PART TWO.—IMPACT
IV.—The economic impact of trafficking in persons
A.—The costs of trafficking
The cost of crime is essentially a measure of the impact of that crime on society. The
costs of trafficking include the value of all resources devoted <strong>to</strong> its prevention, the treatment
and support of victims and the apprehension and prosecution of offenders. For
example, as a component of organized crime, there are costs <strong>to</strong> the police (who investigate
suspected crime and gather and record evidence), the prosecution services, criminal
courts, legal aid and non-legally-aided defence costs, and costs of the prison and probation
services. The foregone productivity of imprisoned traffickers (although such labour
may not in all cases have been put <strong>to</strong> productive use) should be included. There may also
be costs <strong>to</strong> witness protection schemes and health, welfare and other government services.
While in some countries a successful prosecution may mean some cost recovery and
asset confiscation, in most circumstances, the resources devoted <strong>to</strong> these elements of the
criminal justice system and health and welfare systems come from the public purse, which
may severely challenge existing resources, notably in source countries. Realizing the potential
<strong>to</strong> offset these costs through the confiscation of traffickers’ income and assets is of
great significance <strong>to</strong> continued success against trafficking activities.
These costs are linked with the human and social costs <strong>to</strong> the victims and their communities
and may include the physical and emotional suffering of victims as well as the <strong>to</strong>ll
upon community members who may develop increased fear and anxiety about crime as
a result of public trials and media attention. Given that violence, corruption and trafficking
are invariably linked, the cost of enforcement and reform may be affected by public
perceptions that government cannot cope with criminal organizations.
The ongoing care and support of victims, costs associated with immigration and cus<strong>to</strong>ms
processes, repatriation, direct government funding or funding grants <strong>to</strong> non-governmental
organizations <strong>to</strong> assist victims, along with other health, welfare housing and associated
costs, will also have an impact. For some source countries especially, this is a significant
economic burden.
While expenditures on trafficking prevention programmes, advocacy and research projects
may be seen as discretionary, such expenditures are often accepted by Governments
that are parties <strong>to</strong> the <strong>Trafficking</strong> Pro<strong>to</strong>col as a requirement of their domestic commitment
<strong>to</strong> addressing the crime of trafficking and a part of their enforcement efforts against the
crime.
The public health impact of trafficking is potentially very costly. Recent epidemiological
data suggest that tuberculosis, which is regarded worldwide as a re-emerging infectious
disease, has reached the level of an epidemic in some countries from which victims are
trafficked. 41 In areas where vaccination programmes and health service standards and
41
“Conference background information and further readings”, paper presented <strong>to</strong> the regional workshop and
conference entitled “Health Aspects of <strong>Trafficking</strong> in Persons”, Budapest, 19 21 March 2003 (see http://hub.usembassy.hu/programs/background.doc).
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