Internet the Double-Edged Sword of Trafficking of Women in Malaysia

Abstract:

Trafficking in human beings is a major concern for the global community. The introduction, growth, and utilisation of information and communication technologies (ICTs) have been accompanied by an increase in illegal exploitation and abuse of technology for criminal activities. With respect to cyberspace, the Internet is increasingly used as a tool and medium by transnational organized crime. Women trafficking is an obvious form of organized crime that has been affected by the global revolution in ICT. This form of illegal trafficking is not exclusive to sexual exploitation with respect to women or children trafficking but also covers indentured servitude and child labour. This new form of slavery violates fundamental and basic human rights and freedoms, and transcends national boundaries and territories to negatively impact on numerous countries across the globe. It is estimated that over 900,000 people are being trafficked every year . This paper seeks to discuss, address and analyze the impact of  Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) on trafficking in women for the purpose of sexual exploitations and such trafficking is a major criminal activity and a blatant evil that should be effectively tackled on all levels, the technique used, secondly, an analysis of the existing legislative and regulatory framework and their efficiency in Asia region to combat this form of cross-border organized crime, the difference between trafficking and smuggling as stated in the Anti-Trafficking of Persons Act 2007in Malaysia and finally, the method for the research is qualitative research based on case-study and secondary data collected from government agencies and conclusion by discussing the steps that should be taken to protect human rights and minimize the risk of utilising ICTs in illegal criminal activities, especially with respect to human trafficking.

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