Under the Human Trafficking Prevention Act, all forms of trafficking in persons are criminal offences, in accordance with the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. The exploitation of individuals as forced labour or slave or quasi-slave labour or for purposes of prostitution or any form of sexual exploitation is also a criminal offence, and an offender will be liable to a more severe penalty where the victims are women or children.