Combating Human Trafficking and Enhancing Protection of Women and Children

Abstract

Human trafficking remains one of the most complex and pervasive forms of transnational organized crime, representing a profound violation of fundamental human rights and human dignity. Women and children constitute the most vulnerable groups due to structural inequalities, gender discrimination, poverty, and social exclusion. The rapid advancement of globalization and digital technology has further enabled traffickers to exploit victims with unprecedented efficiency. Despite the adoption of international instruments such as the Palermo Protocol, CEDAW, and CRC, as well as domestic legislation like Indonesia's Law Number 21 of 2007, substantial implementation gaps persist. These gaps stem from weak inter-agency coordination, inadequate victim identification procedures, and limited rehabilitation services. Employing a normative juridical research method, this study analyzes international legal instruments, domestic legislation, and scholarly literature to evaluate existing anti-trafficking frameworks. The findings demonstrate that effective anti-trafficking governance requires moving beyond offender-oriented criminal justice toward an integrated, victim-centered, and human rights-based approach that prioritizes the recovery, safety, and empowerment of survivors.