Professor Silvia Scarpa Presents “Human Trafficking from the Perspective of Victims” at Conference in Garmisch, Germany

Professor Silvia Scarpa

Professor Silvia Scarpa

On April 14, JCU Professor Silvia Scarpa gave a presentation on “Human Trafficking from the Perspective of Victims” during the “Countering Narcotics and Illicit Trafficking” (CNIT) Resident Program held at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Garmisch, Germany. The mission of the Marshall Center, as a vital instrument of German-American cooperation, is to create a more stable security environment by advancing democratic institutions and relationships, promoting active, peaceful, whole-of-government approaches to address transnational and regional security challenges, and creating and enhancing enduring partnerships worldwide.

In her presentation, Professor Scarpa discussed the need for a human rights victim-centered approach, the problems related to guaranteeing assistance to victims of human trafficking, and the issues arising in respect of victims whose status is irregular in host countries. She also underlined the importance of not punishing victims for their involvement in unlawful activities, instead focusing on the demand for the services offered and goods produced by trafficking victims.

Marshall Center’s CNIT is a two-and-a-half week resident program that focuses on 21st century national security threats as a result of illicit trafficking and other criminal activities. This year’s CNIT participants hail from over 50 countries. The participants work at defense, interior and justice ministries, law enforcement and other government agencies.

Professor Scarpa teaches Contemporary Slavery and Human Trafficking, Human Rights, International Organizations, International Law, and International Migration at John Cabot University. She holds a Laurea cum laude in Political Science (LUISS Guido Carli University), a Master in International Protection of Human Rights (Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza”) and a Dottorato di Ricerca cum laude in Political Science – Human Rights (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna).

She is the author of the books International Human Rights Standards for law Enforcement Authorities (UniversItalia, 2012) and Trafficking in Human Beings: Modern Slavery (Oxford University Press, 2008).

Professor Scarpa will teach the Course “Human Trafficking and Contemporary Slavery” in the Summer Session II 2015.

Learn more about studying Political Science and International Affairs in Rome at John Cabot University.