New Publication in the Police Chief Magazine: Transatlantic Approaches to Human Trafficking
Posted in: Global Center on Human Trafficking, Research
Transatlantic Approaches to Human Trafficking: A Comparative Study of Austria and the United States, written by a collaborative team of American and Austrian scholars and practitioners including GCHT Director Dr. Daniela Peterka-Benton, provides a comparative analysis of the prevalence, legal aspects, approaches, and methods used in both countries.
The team found that Austria and the United States both use victim-centered approaches in anti-trafficking policy, but their legal and enforcement systems differ. Austria’s Criminal Code targets trafficking for multiple forms of exploitation and provides psychosocial and legal victim supports, backed by international conventions and National Action Plans for multi-agency cooperation. In the US, laws—like those in New Jersey—punish both sexual and labor trafficking with severe penalties, offer affirmative defenses and temporary visas, and require cross-sector partnerships and training. Both nations struggle with data collection due to reporting gaps and definitional inconsistencies. Austria’s protections are systematic in legal proceedings, while the US is more advanced in training and survivor participation.
Despite differences, both prioritize victim welfare, acknowledge survivors’ complex situations, and continually adapt policies through collaboration, aiming to address the complexities of human trafficking effectively.