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Global Issues

Trafficking in Persons

Trafficking in persons (TIP) involves victims who are often forced, defrauded or coerced into labor or sexual exploitation. The USG estimates 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked in this manner across national borders each year. Of those, 47 percent are women, 34 percent are girls under the age of 18, and 16 percent are boys under the age of 18 - meaning more than 80 percent of victims are female and 50 percent are children.

Millions more are thought to be trafficked within country borders worldwide.

The U.S. devoted more than $70 million in anti-trafficking in persons programs abroad in the last fiscal year, and, in his address to the U.N. General Assembly in September, President Bush committed an additional $50 million in anti-TIP U.S. spending abroad this year.

The fight against human trafficking is attracting worldwide attention because trafficking threatens human rights, public health, and the safety and security of nations.

The 140-country Trafficking in Persons Report, issued by the U.S. Department of State, is the most comprehensive worldwide report on the efforts of governments to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons. Its purpose is to raise global awareness and spur countries to take effective actions to counter trafficking in persons.

The efforts of governments to fight human trafficking are rated in tiers in the report based on concrete actions taken throughout the year. The standards used to determine these ratings can be found in the 2004 report at www.state.gov/g/tip.

Trafficking in Persons Report

The Secretary of State submits the annual "Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000: Trafficking in Persons Report" to Congress.

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