Prevention
The preventive measures imply that the conditions that lead to the vulnerability of the
trafficked persons are effectively addressed. The main component in this
regard is poverty
alleviation through the creation of income, employment and educational and vocational
training opportunities.
This is about economic empowerment of vulnerable social groups
enabling them to be productively engaged and self
-
sufficient. It
also means educating
vulnerable persons, parents, communities, government officials, local/village chiefs, policy
makers and law enforcers on the ugly nature of the phenomenon of human trafficking at all
possible stages in all possible ways.
Pre
-
traffickin
g awareness
-
raising campaigns and warnings are conducted to promote the
level of individual and public vigilance. Training and equipping border patrol police and
social workers and the provision of anti
-
trafficking laws, publicizing and enforcing these
are
also likely to contribute towards the prevention of human trafficking.
Educated and economically empowered, the vulnerable are likely to be in a better position
to resist any deceptive schemes designed to lure them. Similar campaigns in the countries
14
of d
estination conducted through mass media, seminars, workshops and conferences on
issues related to human trafficking in communities, universities and schools will also
contribute towards prevention.
Public awareness and support in both the countries of
orig
in and destination is likely to make it more difficult for traffickers to conceal their
operations (Perkins 2005