Tackling the Demand that Fosters Human Trafficking: Final Report

Research suggests that buyers of prostitution are often motivated by a desire for sex, power, and control. Prostitution flows are shaped by factors such as poverty, lack of education, and limited job opportunities. Societal and cultural influences, including attitudes towards women and sex, also play a significant role in shaping demand. Efforts to reduce demand for commercial sexual services have been implemented in various forms, including awareness campaigns, education programs, and law enforcement initiatives. Reducing demand for prostitution in the E&E region requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of demand, including poverty, lack of education, and limited job opportunities. The demand for trafficked labor in the Europe and Eurasia region is also a significant concern. Direct employers of trafficked labor, companies and individuals using subcontracted trafficked labor, and consumers of goods and services made by trafficked workers all contribute to the demand for trafficked labor. Efforts to reduce demand for trafficked labor include awareness campaigns, education programs, and law enforcement initiatives. Boycotts and petitions, regulation, ethical consumerism, and ethical codes are some of the strategies employed to reduce demand for goods and services made by trafficked persons. Recommendations for reducing demand for trafficked labor in the E&E region include strengthening laws and enforcement, increasing awareness and education, and promoting ethical consumerism. The report emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing demand for human trafficking, including prostitution and trafficked labor. This approach should involve governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector working together to address the root causes of demand and to promote awareness and education about the issue.