U.S. Department of State 2002 Trafficking in Persons Report - Mexico

Mexico (Tier 2)

Mexico is a source, transit and destination country of women and children trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation. There is also internal trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation. Most victims trafficked to and through Mexico are Central Americans en route to the United States and Canada. There is also a steady flow of Brazilians and Eastern Europeans and to a lesser extent, Asians and Middle Easterners.

The government does not yet fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. Mexico has laws that prohibit various forms of trafficking and has prosecuted traffickers. Police officials and border guards have been complicit in trafficking, but the government is making some efforts to combat corruption. The police receive special training to assist child victims of sexual abuse and NGOs have trained police on how to assist victims of violence. Regarding protection, the government provides limited victim services, and has contributed to victim assistance programs run by NGOs. Foreign victims of trafficking are generally deported and are not encouraged to press charges against their traffickers. Regarding prevention of trafficking, the government launched a public awareness campaign as the first phase in a national action plan to combat commercial sexual exploitation of children in January. Several state governments have begun their own awareness campaigns on the sexual exploitation of minors. The federal government has also run a media campaign on the dangers of illegal migration. There have been fewer resources dedicated to combating the traffic of adults than have been committed to combating the traffic of children.