Human Trafficking in [New Zealand Street Children in [New Zealand] [other countries]Child Prostitution in [New Zealand] [other countries] |
Human Trafficking & Modern-day Slavery New Zealand [ Country-by-Country
Reports ] New Zealand is a destination country for women from
Malaysia, Hong Kong, the People’s Republic of China, and other countries in
Asia trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation. Among
foreign women in New Zealand’s commercial sex trade, some may be trafficking
victims, though estimates of international trafficking victims are modest.
Commercial sexual exploitation of minors occurs within the country on a
limited basis and there have been only a few instances where authorities
suspect that minors in prostitution have been trafficked by third parties.
New Zealand authorities are investigating allegations that some Asian and
Pacific Islanders who migrate willingly to work in the agricultural sector
and women from the Philippines who migrate to work as nurses are charged
excessive recruiting fees by manpower agencies, and experience unjustified
salary deductions and occasional contract fraud, actions that make them
vulnerable to involuntary servitude or debt bondage. - U.S. State Dept Trafficking in Persons Report, June, 2008 [full country
report] |
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CAUTION: The following links have been
culled from the web to illuminate the situation in ***
FEATURED ARTICLE *** CHILD TRAFFICKING TO NEW ZEALAND - While trafficking to New
Zealand may be a relatively small problem, organisations such as the Human
Rights Commission and the Police acknowledge that it has the potential to
become a growing problem. Throughout the world the trafficking of people from
socio-economically deprived circumstances has increased markedly. The New Zealand Police estimate
that there are over 500 Thai women in the sex industry in Auckland alone.
However, it is impossible to determine how many of them are under 18 years of
age, and thus, inherently able to be considered to have been victims of
trafficking. There are many obstacles that prevent trafficked children from
coming to the attention of the police or other authorities. The majority of
the girls are under constant surveillance by their traffickers. In addition,
they may fear the police or believe that they will be in trouble with New
Zealand authorities. The Human Rights Commission has received a number of
telephone calls from health personnel reporting incidents of Thai girls,
under 18 years of age, seeking medical attention, who had been subjected to
sexual violence. However, by the time the Police have become involved it has
been discovered that the addresses given are false or the girls have been
moved to a new location. ***
ARCHIVES *** Bur of Democracy,
Human Rights & Labor - Country
Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2005 TRAFFICKING
IN PERSONS –
Commercial sexual exploitation of children was a problem. Under the
Prostitution Reform Act, it is illegal to use a person under 18 years of age
in prostitution. A study by the PLRC completed in April 2004 estimated that
approximately 200 young persons under the age of 18 were working as
prostitutes. During the year 3 brothel operators and 1 client were prosecuted
for the use of persons under age 18 in prostitution. The client and two of
the brothel operators were convicted, and one operator was awaiting trial at
year's end. The government worked with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)
to address trafficking in children and provided funding for NGO outreach
programs in Shakti Migrant Services Trust, an
anti-trafficking NGO, reported abuses resulting from the immigration of
Indian women for arranged marriages and provided services to abused women
through four refuges located in three cities: New Zealand Rubbishes US Claims Of Child Trafficking A US State Department report made the
allegation last month - for the second time in a year - despite claims it had
misrepresented prostitution data. Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff was
scathing about the statement. "If the United States were to judge itself
by the same standards it is applying to New Zealand, it would be found to be
wanting," Goff said. "Of course we don't have a problem in
trafficking in children." Freedom
House Country Report - Political Rights: 1 Civil Liberties: 1 Status: Free Human Rights Overview by Human
Rights Watch – Defending Human Rights Worldwide Child
advocacy group says US has taken its report out of context by claiming NZ has
serious problem with child trafficking. CHILD TRAFFICKING TO NEW ZEALAND - While trafficking to New
Zealand may be a relatively small problem, organisations such as the Human
Rights Commission and the Police acknowledge that it has the potential to
become a growing problem. Throughout the world the trafficking of people from
socio-economically deprived circumstances has increased markedly. The New Zealand Police estimate
that there are over 500 Thai women in the sex industry in Auckland alone.
However, it is impossible to determine how many of them are under 18 years of
age, and thus, inherently able to be considered to have been victims of
trafficking. There are many obstacles that prevent trafficked children from
coming to the attention of the police or other authorities. The majority of
the girls are under constant surveillance by their traffickers. In addition,
they may fear the police or believe that they will be in trouble with New
Zealand authorities. The Human Rights Commission has received a number of
telephone calls from health personnel reporting incidents of Thai girls,
under 18 years of age, seeking medical attention, who had been subjected to
sexual violence. However, by the time the Police have become involved it has
been discovered that the addresses given are false or the girls have been
moved to a new location. Human
trafficking: Asia's persistent tragedy For its part, New Zealand is being
used by traffickers of Thai women as a "departure point for Japan,
Australia and Cyprus", stated the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women
for Asia-Pacific, a non-governmental organization. All material used herein
reproduced under the fair use exception of 17 USC § 107 for noncommercial,
nonprofit, and educational use |
Human Trafficking in [New Zealand Street Children in [New Zealand] [other countries]Child Prostitution in [New Zealand] [other countries]