To Better Know a Country: Human Trafficking in Norway

by Amanda Kloer · 2009-10-14 07:00:00 UTC
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Every year, the U.S. State Department releases a Trafficking in Persons report which rates countries on their efforts to combat human trafficking.  Each week, I'll be providing a brief glance at human trafficking in one of those countries, based off the 2009 Trafficking in Persons Report, with my own (often snarky) analysis added.  This is just a snapshot of what's going on in the country.  For more information, you can check out the full text of the 2009 Trafficking in Persons Report here.

This Week's Country..... Norway

Basic Stats

  • Ranking: Tier 1

  • Status: Destination country for trafficking victims

  • Political Stability: A frozen, socialist paradise

  • Cash Flow: Exporting fish and the ideals of a strong welfare state since 1066.

  • Do I Think They Care?: Yes, even though they can afford not to.

Who Are the Victims and What Are They Doing?

  • Women:commercial sex

  • Men: forced labor in construction

  • Girls: commercial sex, domestic servitude

  • Boys: Forced labor in construction

Where Are They Coming From and Where Are They Going?

  • Victims are trafficked from Nigeria, Bulgaria, Brazil, Estonia, Ghana, Eritrea, Cameroon, Kenya, and the DRC to Norway.

  • Victims are trafficked from Africa and Brazil to other parts of Europe, especially the Balkans.

What's Gotta Happen

  • Investigate and prosecute traffickers for both labor and sex trafficking.

  • Seek appropriate sentences for traffickers

  • Reduce demand for commercial sex in Norway.

What Can I Do

  • You can support Redd Barna, an organization which helps children and families in need in Norway.

In summary, Norway's got their act so well together when it comes to fighting trafficking, they should want to shout it from the fjord-tops. They recently passed a prostitution law akin to Scandinavian sister Sweden's, which criminalizes the act of buying prostitution but not selling it. It's an innovative move they hope will help reduce demand for commercial sex in Norway. I think it might be more effective to make it legal as long as it takes place outside and between November and March. Brrrrr! Now that would end demand.

Amanda Kloer is a Change.org Editor and has been a full-time abolitionist in several capacities for seven years. Follow her on Twitter @endhumantraffic
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