U.S. Department of State 2001 Trafficking in Persons Report - Austria
| Publisher | United States Department of State |
| Author | Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons |
| Publication Date | 12 July 2001 |
| Cite as | United States Department of State, U.S. Department of State 2001 Trafficking in Persons Report - Austria, 12 July 2001, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4680d7290.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Austria (Tier 1)
Austria is a destination and transit country for women trafficked primarily for the purpose of sexual exploitation from Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and the Balkans, into Austria and other western European countries. Women also are trafficked from Asia and Latin American for domestic labor.
The Government of Austria meets the minimum standards in combating trafficking in persons. A trafficking law provides for penalties commensurate with those for rape. However, NGO's have called for an expansion of the legal definition of trafficking to include exploitation for domestic labor and coerced marriages. In 1999 over half of the 49 trafficking complaints filed under the law against trafficking for prostitution resulted in convictions. The Ministry of Interior estimates that most traffickers are prosecuted under criminal law provisions on alien smuggling. In 1999 there were 2,949 cases filed under the Aliens Act and 374 convictions. The Government provides temporary residence to victims of trafficking who are prepared to testify or intending to raise civil law claims. The Government funds research on the problem of trafficking as well as NGO prevention efforts, including anti-trafficking brochures and law enforcement workshops. The Government also provides funding for intervention centers that provide emergency housing and psychological, legal, and health-related assistance to victims. During its EU Presidency in 1999, the Government co-hosted a conference about trafficking for over 21 countries. The Government is also active with UN and OSCE international efforts against trafficking.
