The UN has set a global goal to eradicate modern slavery and human trafficking by 2030, a huge task in a world where up to 50 million people are forced to work against their will or in unacceptable conditions.
If authorities are still chasing perpetrators in 2030 then it has been a failure. A failure of prevention and failure to stop the worst from happening. While law enforcement is key to catching the perpetrators, it can only do so much.
As many observers have noted, it’s not possible to arrest our way out of these wicked social problems. A different approach is required, one that places prevention centre stage. A ‘public health' approach could be such an alternative.
