MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

— Wellington, Thursday 20 June 2013.

Victim identification key issue in trafficking report.

The Salvation Army commends the US State Department for its continuing commitment to fighting the global crime of people trafficking.

The release today of its 2013 TIP Report is tangible evidence of that commitment, says Salvation Army social justice spokesperson Chris Frazer.

The Salvation Army agrees with the department’s Ambassador at Large Luis CdeBaca’s opening observations that while the international commitment to fighting the crime is impressive, the actual number of trafficking victims identified remains very low against the purported numbers of people being trafficked, which runs into the millions.

As was acknowledged in the third trafficking conference held in Auckland in April, the lack of credible, factual information is worrying because without it, the identification of victims of that crime will continue to remain hidden, Ms Frazer says.

The Salvation Army is pleased to see that New Zealand consistently achieves Tier One status and applauds the government’s increasing efforts to combat the crime through the review of legislation, offering increasing protection and support to victims and by working closely with the NGOs. Its anti-trafficking awareness and ground-breaking changes to the operation of foreign-charted fishing vessels in New Zealand waters are particularly commendable.

The Salvation Army has led three trafficking conferences in the past five years. Each conference has been consistent in identifying concerns relating to the exploitation of migrants working within our commercial areas.

Ms Frazer says the main issues of trafficking identified in New Zealand centre around labour exploitation and more research into this area and investigative tools need to be developed.

ENDS

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