CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION: RESEARCH QUESTION AND THE AIM OF THE STUDY 1. 1 INTRODUCTION In this Introductory Chapter, a first exploration of the subject of this study will be made. In Section 1. 2, the most important developments relevant for this study in the process of globalisation from the Second World War until now will be discussed in order to explore the effects of these developments on trafficking in persons in S- tion 1. 3. In Section 1. 4, the research question will be discussed on the basis of the two main disparities in this study, namely, the disparity between the fact that tr- ficking in persons is a crime with a transnational element and the fact that strategies to combat it are based on national competences, and the disparity between the ava- ability of a great number of strategies to fight and prosecute trafficking in persons 1 and the unwillingness or inability to use them efficiently. The aim of this study will be discussed in Section 1. 5. Finally, the structure of this study will be set out in S- tion 1. 6. 1. 2 RELEVANT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PROCESS OF GLOBALISATION A new period in the process of globalisation is reflected in various developments 2 that have taken place over the last 60 years. The globalisation of socio-economic relations throughout the world characterises this period.

Joint Investigation Teams have been adopted in several EU as well as non-EU documents as a new instrument to facilitate mutual legal assistance. This book provides professionals dealing with criminal cooperation with a theoretical and at the same time practical guide on how the instrument of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) can be used to maximum advantage. The first attempts to establish a JIT within the European Union were monitored and analysed by the authors. The results thereof serve as the basis for the more theoretical and abstract analysis in this book. Obstacles met are analysed and suggestions are made on how to avoid them in the future. The book elaborates on the different stages in establishing a JIT as well as the different stages of an operational JIT. It analyses the possible involvement of Europol and Eurojust and provides an insight into the practical aspects of a JIT. Last but not least, the authors formulate the necessary conditions and make recommendations for establishing successful JITs. The added value premise of using the instrument of a JIT is the common denominator throughout the book. This makes the book a valuable document for all practitioners involved in the establishment and management of JITs, such as police officers, policy makers, legislators, prosecutors and academics. Edited by Dr. Conny Rijken, Researcher and Lecturer at Tilburg University, The Netherlands, and Prof. Dr. Gert Vermeulen, Professor of Criminal Law and Director of the Institute for International Research on Criminal Policy (IRCP), Ghent University, Belgium.

Trafficking in human beings (THB) has been described as modern slavery. It is a serious criminal activity that has significant ramifications for the human rights of the victims. It poses major challenges to the state, society and individual victims. THB is not a static given but a constantly changing concept depending on societal changes and opinions, economic situations and legal developments. THB occurs both transnationally and within countries. The complexity of THB is such that it requires a wide range of expertise fully to address the phenomenon. Edited by a team of leading international academics, the Routledge Handbook of Human Trafficking will provide an interdisciplinary introduction to THB. It is aimed at academics, students, research universities and non-governmental organisations, as well as policy makers. It will review THB through the lens of law, anthropology, social and political science and will address statistical, data protection issues and showcase the most effective research methods, analyse the various actors and stakeholders and the different types of exploitation of trafficked persons. It will critically highlight and analyse the most pressing current challenges posed by THB.

Trafficking in human beings (THB) has been described as modern slavery. It is a serious criminal activity that has significant ramifications for the human rights of the victims. It poses major challenges to the state, society and individual victims. THB is not a static given but a constantly changing concept depending on societal changes and opinions, economic situations and legal developments. THB occurs both transnationally and within countries. The complexity of THB is such that it requires a wide range of expertise fully to address the phenomenon. Edited by a team of leading international academics, the Routledge Handbook of Human Trafficking will provide an interdisciplinary introduction to THB. It is aimed at academics, students, research universities and non-governmental organisations, as well as policy makers. It will review THB through the lens of law, anthropology, social and political science and will address statistical, data protection issues and showcase the most effective research methods, analyse the various actors and stakeholders and the different types of exploitation of trafficked persons. It will critically highlight and analyse the most pressing current challenges posed by THB.