This article looks at the phenomenon of trafficking in human beings, with examples drawn from intergovernmental organizations, the European Union and the UK. It begins by outlining legal recognition of and current responses to trafficking, and goes on to present an overview of what we currently know and don't know about the extent and nature of this crime in relation to its various manifestations. The article critically examines policy responses to trafficking in the light of what are often, at best, sketchy data. The existence of a trafficking 'industry', both as an organized crime 'industry' and as an IGO and NGO 'industry', is introduced in the arcicle through legal and policy responses that set out to identify, map and counter trafficking. The article concludes by asking where the focus on trafficking is heading, and if it will be supported in future by more robust evidence for policy development. © 2008 SAGE Publications.

Legalisationg Victim-centred Data Human trafficking Policy responses

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