Additionally, it has been observed that the Obama Administration's approach differs from the Bush Administration in that the latter was more short-sighted in its anti-trafficking goals (Ditmore, 2009). The Bush Administration was focused primarily on combating sex trafficking, while the Obama Administration aims to address a wider array of abusive labor practices (Ditmore, 2009). The aims of the Obama Administration reach for wider public support and attempting to deal with the problem more effectively by addressing important, related abusive practices. States are also playing a critical role in anti-trafficking measures. State and local law enforcement officials are working on combating human trafficking (National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 2010). Many states have their own human trafficking legislation (National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 2010). Maryland is also committed to anti-trafficking measures. In particular, the Attorney General of Maryland, the Baltimore City State's Attorney, and the U.S. Attorney's Office created a Human Trafficking Task Force in 2007 (Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, 2010). The task force is charged with responsibilities such as increased law enforcement presence, assistance with federal anti-trafficking measures, and more victim services (Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, 2010). Additionally, U.S. Attorney's Office in Maryland works with state and other agencies to prosecute offenders and assist the victims (Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, 2010). Maryland is one of the states that is making their own anti-trafficking efforts while continuing to assist federal efforts.

Through federal laws, various government agencies, presidential efforts, and state measures, progress is being made towards anti-trafficking goals. However, progress does not mean that the problem has been completely...

These efforts to combat human trafficking through legislation promote the goals of prevention, protection, and prosecution, but does not mean that the problem has been eradicated. Such measures must continue until human trafficking is no longer the domestic and global problem that it currently is.
Works Cited

Ditmore, Melissa. (June 2009). The sweep of modern-day slavery. Guardian. Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/.

Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force. (April 2010). Human Trafficking. Retrieved from http://www.justice.gov/usao/md/Human-Trafficking/index.html.

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. (February 2010). Anti-Human Trafficking

Efforts on the Home Front Remain a Work in Progress. Retrieved from http://freedomcenter.org/freedom-forum/index.php/2010/02/progress-slow-fighting-domestic-human-trafficking/.

Obama, Barack. (January 2010). Presidential Proclamation -- National Slavery and Human

Trafficking Prevention Month. Retrieved from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-national-slavery-and-human-trafficking-prevention-month.

Social Security Administration. (October 2000). President Signs "Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000." Retrieved from http://www.ssa.gov/legislation / legis_bulletin_121500.html.

U.S. Congress. (October 2000). Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000.

Retrieved from http://www.state.gov/g/tip/laws/61124.htm.

U.S. Department of State. (n.d.). U.S. Laws on Trafficking in Persons. Retrieved from http://www.state.gov/g/tip/laws/.

U.S. Department of State. (June 2006). Trafficking in Persons Report 2006. Retrieved from http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/66086.pdf.