Why is it important to have better estimates of numbers of trafficking victims?
Even after nearly ten years of attention to human trafficking, estimates of the number of human trafficking victims are very limited and generally lack empirical merit. Trafficking is a complex issue and it is reasonably argued that accurately estimating the extent of such underground criminal activity is a difficult task. Therefore, the counter-trafficking community has yet to come up with reliable methodologies for getting those numbers. Without reliable numbers it is difficult to know if counter-trafficking policies and interventions are making a difference. In addition, limited resources are being allocated with little understanding of the scale and scope of the issue. This lack of understanding has significant impact on the efficiency and progress of counter-trafficking interventions. ^ top..
