Category: Human Trafficking

Many Americans believe that slavery in the United States ended in 1865 when the 13th amendment was adopted. Unfortunately, that is not true. Slavery and Human trafficking flourish in our modern age. According to Bales and Soodalter (2010) a U.S State Department study states that approximately 14,500 to 17,500 people are trafficked and enslaved in the United States each year. (p.24) Becoming a victim of slavery and human trafficking is an equal opportunity. A modern slave can be any race, nationality, age, or gender. However, slavery and human trafficking are not just American problems. According to Gillian Wylie (2016) The human trafficking industry is worth tens of billions of dollars yearly. Human trafficking, after drugs and weapons, is the largest form of organized, transnational crime.” (p. 2) The one characteristic all slavery victims share is that they are preyed upon when they are at their most vulnerable. Vulnerability comes in many forms, it can be financial, geographical, physical, emotional, social, mental, or all the above.

According to Bales and Soodalter (2010) more than double the amount of individuals are enslaved in our modern day than were abducted from Africa during the 350 years of the Atlantic slave trade. (p.22) Although slavery is not seen as a social and economic reality as it once was 240 hundred years ago. The foundation of America was built on slavery and the crime continues today, just quieter.

Bales and Soodalter (2010) go on to state that the exact number of slaves is unknown due to the extreme hidden nature of the crime. However, human trafficking and slavery in America generate millions upon millions each year preying on the most vulnerable individuals. Slaves and human trafficking victims in the United States can be found working as sex workers, domestic workers, agricultural workers, construction workers, restaurant workers, or factory workers. (p.25) Many Americans may even come across these enslaved individuals without even realizing the individual’s enslavement. Human trafficking and slavery are a horrible human rights violations and Americans need to become aware of these crimes in order to prevent them by finding strategies for preventing slavery and trafficking, for assisting victims, and for dealing with exploiters.

It is important to examine strategies that will help prevent and identify slavery and human trafficking. The most important strategy for prevention of slavery and trafficking is awareness. Americans need to understand the different types of slavery and the signs to identify possible victims.

According to Wylie (2016), the internationally agreed definition of human trafficking by the UN reads as followed: “‘Trafficking in persons’ shall mean the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs…The consent of a victim of trafficking in persons to the intended exploitation set forth [above] shall be irrelevant where any of the means set forth [above] have been used.” (P.3)

Modern slavery and human trafficking often begin in the same way — with a false promise. Victims are offered an opportunity of paid work and/or an education. Many victims agree to leave their homes in hope of sending money back to provide for their family. According to DeStefano (2007) Many victims provide the same story – there was a restaurant that needed waitresses or a family that needed a nanny. Once the victims arrive, they realize that they are enslaved. (p.3) Many foreign victims are charged a smuggling fee by their traffickers to come to the United States and then forced to work off that debt to obtain their freedom. Often these debts are inflated and impossible to work off. This debt binds the slave to the slaveholder. Many people wonder, but why don’t victims just run away once they realize they are enslaved? According to Bales & Soodalter (2010) “As the body is subjugated, in shock the psyche follows, leaving the victim without the will to resist.” (p.79) Trafficking victims are often subjected to horrible abuse such as beatings, gang rapes, and death threats. This fear and shock along with the unfamiliar surroundings cause victims to feel trapped. If they were to run, they would not even know where to go, and if they are immigrants, they also fear deportation if discovered.

Slavery can take many different forms; domestic slavery, agricultural slavery, and sex slavery, to name a few. They are all similar, yet they each have their own unique characteristics. Bales & Soodalter (2010) state that domestic slavery is unique among the other types of slavery because it is about saving money versus making money. (p. 34) Domestic slave holders keep slaves for their own benefit and not for a profit. Domestic slavery, like other versions of slavery, usually begins with a false promise. A family will invite an individual into their home on the premise of them working as a nanny, gardener, housekeeper, etc. and then take advantage of the situation. Many domestic workers come over legally, as well as illegally, and some are even American born and raised. Usually all are coerced into the home on the promise of good pay or education. The victims believe that taking this opportunity will benefit both themselves and their families. Once they have made it into the home, all opportunity fades away. Domestic slaves are often abused and enslaved without anyone outside the family noticing that something is wrong. Bales and Soodalter (2010) state that there is a high possibility that many Americans have seen enslaved individuals shopping grocery stores or babysitting children without even realizing what is going on. (p.35) Victims of domestic slavery are forced to work all day cooking, cleaning, and tending to the family. While they are not working, they are often beaten, raped, and abused. When the family is out victims are not allowed to relax, many are watched on surveillance and forced to wait outside, sometimes chained up. If someone is suspected of being enslaved, call the authorities.

Agricultural slavery differs from domestic slavery because it is all about making money by saving money on employment. Erin Heli (2012) writes “Horrific are the general living and working conditions of those trapped in agricultural slavery.” (p. 26) Agricultural slavery is so culturally systemic in the United States that most American’s do not even realize that they are consuming slave picked produce. Consider Immokalee, Florida, an unincorporated community located about forty minutes southeast of Southwest Florida International Airport established in the first part of the twentieth century. Bales and Soodalter (2010) describe Immokalee as “more a labor reserve than a town.” (p.54) Immokalee is a simple town. There are no flashy cars or high-end jewelry stores like you might find in nearby Naples. The people in Immokalee cannot afford to own cars. The community’s main purpose was for the growing, picking, packing, and shipping of oranges, tomatoes, and other crops. About 95% of the Immokalee workforce population is male and mostly all illegal immigrants. Most of these individuals, like the other forms of trafficking and slavery, find themselves coerced into the situation by the promise of work and the hopes of providing for their families back home.

Many of these immigrants and had to rely on a “coyote” or smuggling guide to help them get across the border. When they arrive in Immokalee, all they find is backbreaking work, intense control, and the lowest possible wages. Many of the immigrants also owe the coyote a debt for assisting them across the border. This ever-growing debt and the extremely low wages make for an extremely vulnerable individual. The cost of living in Immokalee is also high with things like rent and food prices being dictated by the wealthy growers and slumlords. According to Heli (2012) Immokalee workers can work for over ten hours under the hot Florida sun with no breaks, and all they have to show for it is a single watermelon. No actual currency. (p. 25) This is financial abuse. The coyotes, growers, and slumlords know that they are actively benefiting from human trafficking and slavery, but most choose to turn a blind eye to the issue because there is money to be made from the free labor.

Heli (2012) states, “women are more likely to have other occupations if trafficked into Immokalee. For the most part, the women trafficked into Immokalee (and the United States in general) are victims of the forced commercial sex industry” (p.33) These women and children sold into sex slavery come from all corners of the world, some are American citizens and some are not. They arrive by plane, bus, car, truck, van, boat, and by foot. Some have papers, some do not. Once these woman and children are in enslaved, they are held captive using forms of verbal, physical, and sexual abuse as well drug-withholding. According to the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council (2014) “Commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors encompass a range of crimes of a sexual nature committed against children and adolescents, including: recruiting, enticing, harboring, transporting, providing, obtaining, and/or maintaining (acts that constitute trafficking) a minor for the purpose of sexual exploitation; exploiting a minor through prostitution; exploiting a minor through survival sex (exchanging sex/sexual acts for money or something of value, such as shelter, food, or drugs); using a minor in pornography; exploiting a minor through sex tourism, mail order bride trade, and early marriage; and exploiting a minor by having her/him perform in sexual venues (e.g., peep shows or strip clubs)” (p. 7) Sex trafficking and slavery of women and children unfortunately has a great demand worldwide. Bales and Soodalter (2010) write “A girl or woman might belong to five, or maybe even ten pimps over the course of a few years; but how many men have had her in that time? For every twenty kids out there every night, there are maybe thousands of johns.” (p.85) Throughout the world, there seems to be an unspoken understanding between men that they have the right to purchase sex. This extends to regular men as well as men in power, regardless of the law. The idea of being a pimp has been glamourized in American culture. The movie Hustle & Flow starring Terrance Howard is the story of a pimp who has dreams of making it in the rap game. The movie features the academy award winning song “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp”. Hustle & Flow is just one example of American culture romanticizing pimps. The world views pimps and johns as “guys just being guys” and portrays paying for sex as a normal part of manhood.

According to Heli (2012) There are three main differences between traditional slavery and modern slavery. The first difference is that the slaves of today are hidden from the public and are heavily monitored by their exploiters. The second difference is that the use of coercion, force, and threats are the modern exploiters’ only ways of controlling their slaves. The third difference is that the modern slaves are expected to repay the costs associated with their enslavement. (p.29) These methods are all used in many different types of slavery and human trafficking. Domestic, agricultural, and sex slaves are hidden in the shadows of the American framework. Violence, drug addiction, rape, and financial status are all means for controlling modern day slaves. The slaves are tricked into coming here by being promised the American dream – a way to support themselves and their families. When they arrive in the U.S they are tied to their abuser financially while being geographically and socially isolated, and physically and mentally abused. These factors make it difficult to escape.

When it comes to assisting and supporting victims and survivors, authorities on the frontlines, such as police, emergency medical technicians, and 911 operators especially need to be aware of the signs of slavery and human trafficking. According to Bales and Soodalter (2010) “A few years ago, John Birbiglia, a local police detective, was called in by his boss and told, “You’re in charge of human trafficking,” even though his boss didn’t know of any cases and the detective had no awareness of the problem. Consequently, Birbiglia attended a series of training programs given by Long Island’s newly created Anti– Human Trafficking Task Force, and— electrified by what he had learned— decided to share it with his fellow officers. Frustrated while waiting for government training videos, he made his own— a rough, short tape that described what a trafficking case might look like— and showed it at roll call to the officers with whom he worked. Eventually his superior noticed the time and resources he was putting into the training and thought Birbiglia might be wasting time on it, since there weren’t any trafficking cases in their bailiwick anyway. But just a few days later, one of the policemen who had seen Birbiglia’s video received a call from the doughnut shop, reporting that a distraught, scantily clad Indonesian woman was attracting attention. Had he not been given a modicum of training in human trafficking, the officer might well have responded by arresting the woman or returning her to her abusers. Instead, recognizing a possible trafficking case, he called Birbiglia, who had made and shown him the tape, and the woman was rescued. As the result of a little training, two women were freed. Ideally, this is the way it is supposed to happen.” (P.46)

Here are a few basic questions if an individual is suspected of being enslaved: Is this person unable to move about freely? Are they being watched or followed? Does this person seem scared to speak in the presence of others? Does this person look to be of school age, but is regularly seen working during school hours? Are there any signs of abuse? — bruises, cuts, bandages, limping? Does the person seem disoriented, confused, malnourished, or frightened? If so, contact authorities or call the Human Trafficking Information and Referral Hotline: 1– 888– 373– 7888 (it is a free call).

The authorities not only need to assist the victims, they must also come up with strategies for addressing exploiters, slave masters and traffickers. Bales and Soodalter (2010) write about “john school” – an intervention program designed to reduce the demand for commercial sex and human trafficking by educating men on the negative consequences of prostitution. John school started in San Francisco and was designed for first-time offenders who were arrested for soliciting prostitutes. Often the men are given the choice of paying a fee, being prosecuted, or attending a one-day john school. (p.85) Other than john school, the police do not often pursue johns. If they catch a john in the act, they will often let him go. But the police will often arrest the woman or child he was abusing. Morally this make no sense.

Some believe that if slavery is not seen then it does not exist. However, one does not have to be aware of slavery to benefit from it. The products of slavery include, but are not limited to, fish, cotton, coffee, fruit, and steel. According to Bales and Soodalter (2010) “Criminals around the world look for ways to cut costs and increase profits, and what better way to cut labor costs, especially in labor-intensive industries, than slavery?” (p.125) This makes supporting slavery difficult to avoid for the common person. However, according to Bales and Soodalter (2010) slave-made products represent only a small proportion of all imported and American made goods. Although these slave-made products still exist, today only a small fraction of slavery taints commodities and products, making them even more difficult to identify and remove. (p.130)

Finding a way out of this slavery mess for American companies and consumers will not be easy. Conscious decisions individuals make each day can help prevent and eliminate slavery and human trafficking in the United States and all over the world. If an individual appears to be in need, do not look the other way, offer help. Be conscious of where you shop and what products you buy. Be aware of the glamorization of sex trafficking in American culture. All these little things add up to big things.

Reference

1. Bales, K., & Soodalter, R. (2010). The slave next door : Human trafficking and slavery in america today. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com
2. DeStefano, A. M., & DeStefano, A. (2007). The war on human trafficking : U. s. policy assessed. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com
3. Heil, E. C. (2012). Sex slaves and serfs : The dynamics of human trafficking in a small florida town. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com
4. Institute of Medicine and National Research Council (2014). Confronting commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors in the united states : A guide for providers of victim and support services. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com
5. Wylie, G. (2016). The international politics of human trafficking. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com

The main aim of this thesis is to encourage policymakers and other key players in the international scene to account for the meaning of victims of trafficking’s lived experiences rather than try to make those experiences meaningful within the dominant colonial narratives or Western ways of understanding. This will open up more facets of understanding and ways of viewing the world which will ultimately influence the findings and the solutions proffered. Liisa Malkki puts it succinctly in her analysis of ethnographic research in her work Improvising Theory — “most of us see only what we expect to see, and what we expect to see is what we are conditioned to see when we have learned the definitions and classifications of our culture…”. In other words, we need to learn to look beyond the popular ways of understanding particular to our culture, especially in the analysis of people of other cultures. This thesis will establish the importance of this approach in several ways. First, it will explore the relationship between social constructivism, postcolonialism, and human trafficking, highlighting the relevance of norms, ideas, and identities in constructing inter and intrastate realities and ultimately, trafficking patterns. The interpenetration of religion and trafficking in persons as well as cultures of migration will be utilized as frameworks within which these norms and identities may be analyzed. Secondly, it will examine the trafficking dilemma in Edo state Nigeria, drawing on documented international reports and perceptions on the matter, while simultaneously contrasting it with local understandings and interpretations of the issue. This will bring to light stark differences in understanding of causal factors of trafficking in this region and thus, the limited positive results despite numerous efforts by the international community in the region. Thirdly, this thesis will analyze colonial legacies such as political economy, power dynamics, the politics of representation as well as race and racism in an attempt to unpack the ways certain aspects of colonialism remain pervasive not only in the Western mind but in the general conduct of relations internationally and the effect this has on trafficking. I argue that these neocolonial dynamics greatly influence the motivations for trafficking, while simultaneously enabling the practice on a global scale and establishing punitive measures primarily directed at economically and politically weaker participants. Next, this thesis will explore the flawed help imperative especially as it relates to imperial feminism, and calls for a need for more intersectional approaches to solving the trafficking problem and aiding victims. The purpose of this is to draw attention to some fundamental reasons for the failed efforts to curb trafficking.

To address these highlighted issues this thesis will use relevant academic literature from the fields of political science, international law, social work, sociology, and history. This diversity of sources is necessary because this is a venture that will require multidisciplinary as well as international collaborations.

So far, after reviewing important works in each of the aforementioned fields, I found that there is a gap in the academic conversation in regard to cultural narratives, the lag between legislation and effective implementation, and demand, specifically regarding religious and ethnic groups outside of the typical Western lens. This is a gap that this thesis will attempt to bridge.

Emmanuel Adler’s constructivist notions in Seizing the Middle Ground: Constructivism in World Politics largely inspire the basis of this paper. He opines that constructivism occupies the middle ground between rationalist and interpretive theories and defines constructivism as “the view that the manner in which the material world shapes and is shaped by human action and interaction depends on dynamic normative and epistemic interpretations of the material world”. He stresses the intersubjective nature of world politics and regards international politics as a platform of interaction that is shaped by the actors’ identities and practices and influenced by constantly changing normative institutional structures. By using Adler’s conception of constructivism to explain the current state of international social and power relations especially as it applies to human trafficking, this paper argues that the internal mind worlds are reflected in the external world of modern trafficking patterns and thus, not only showcases the unrelenting grip of colonialism on the world and its ideologies but also the way it serves to quietly and subconsciously perpetuate these subconscious ideologies until they have become normative behaviors even among well-meaning individuals and organizations as they become reified overtime.

Human trafficking is a growing problem not only nationwide, but worldwide. Human trafficking is the action of force to illegally transport people from place to place usually for labor or sexual exploitation. The three most common types of human trafficking are sex trafficking, forced labor, and debt bondage. Sex trafficking is a crime when men, women, and/or children are forced into sexual acts without consent. Debt bondage is a type of labor used to pay back for some obligation or past transaction. Forced labor is the act of forcing someone to work for little to no money (Currie McGhee 10). These usually include drugs or money. Sometimes victims are sold to other sex traffickers for money or other materials. Although human trafficking affects all ages, children are most vulnerable, making them easier victims since children are less alert and educated.

Another popular service is forced marriage, which is common with children. Of all forced marriage victims, 37 percent are children (Human Trafficking by the Numbers). These traffickers have sick tactics to catch their victims. Human traffickers hunt outside of big homes such as foster home, which is full of children who were abandoned by their parents. As Laura Riso said, a victim’s specialist for the FBI, traffickers go “near high schools because “victimization is all about vulnerability.” The traffickers will try everything, they may complement their prey, as it is from saying “I like your hair”, or “You have very pretty eyes”, doing this to gain small amounts of trust with potential victims (Fonrouge). They may flirt with the victims and ask to take them out to dinner or to walk around, all though this may seem flattering, these are the ways to trick vulnerable people who are not on high alert.

Once a victim is captured, they are taken into the human trafficking loop. These victims may be shipped around the country to different groups and projects of human traffickers, sold for money and drugs in most cases. These criminals are mostly in it for money, sex, power, and drugs. In Moscow, a woman was selling girls from Moldova for $2,865 to human traffickers. In Columbia, men were paying criminal gangs up to $2,600 on an online auction to have sex with a virgin girl (Havocscope). Of the approximately 40.3 million victims of human trafficking globally, 25 percent are children, 81 percent are trapped in some type of labor, and 75 percent are female (Midway). Females are more common for the act of sex trafficking, they make up 99 percent of all sex trafficking victims. The State Department estimated that between 15,000 and 50,000 women are trafficked alone each year in the United States. Not only does the United States commit this crime but the United Nations themselves estimate nearly 2.5 million people from 127 different countries are being trafficked around the world which not only includes sex trafficking but forced labor, bonded labor, and forced prostitution (Greenhaven 23).

Although almost all countries have had cases of human trafficking, the cases are all a little different depending on their culture. For example, in Brazil, people were disguised as religious figures, exploiting victims to work on farms, and in restaurants they join certain churches or organizations. In Cambodia, a lack of jobs leaves women to leave their rural homes and set out to look for jobs in the bigger city. From there, they are exploited from massage parlors, beer gardens, and even karaoke bars and taken for sex trafficking (Trafficking in Persons Report). Another example would be in Ethiopia, where traffickers will trick parents into letting their children work with the promise of education or money, which of course is a trap. In the United Kingdom, gangs force children to carry drugs. Lastly, in Yemen, cases show that there are as young as 11-year-old boys being forced to be soldiers and fight in the wars (Trafficking in Persons Report). These criminals who are professionals use threats and violence to get to their victims. They take their time to stalk and prey on potential victims if it is from the internet or real life. Targeting certain age groups, races, and targeting vulnerable people.

Women and children are commonly used for sex trafficking- forced to perform sexual activities against their will and or without their consent- these people are traumatized for the rest of their lives (Currie-McGhee 19). The kind of physical or emotional torment, they go through is unbearable for any human being. Making it extremely difficult to fully recover from the trauma they have lived through.

Although it happens everywhere around the globe, some countries are ranked as the worst locations for human trafficking. Countries are ranked in three different tiers. Tier 1 is the least dangerous and Tier 3 is the most. The Department’s Annual Trafficking in Persons Report studied 187 different countries and territories. Russia, Belarus, Iran, and Turkmenistan were of the 22 countries ranked in Tier 3. Saying that they are ranked the most dangerous and problematic locations for human trafficking. Other countries that were ranked along Tier 3 were China, North Korea, Syria, and Venezuela (Rfe/rl).

Locally, in the United States, in order from most dangerous to least, in 2020, starting at number one in California with 1656 reported cases, then Michigan with 383, Georgia at 375, Nevada at 313, Illinois with 296, North Carolina at 287, Pennsylvania 275, Arizona at 231, Washington with 229, and finally New Jersey with 224 reported cases. These states were ranked with the highest number of reported cases in the United States (World Population Review). Not a lot of Americans are aware of the potential danger they may be in when out in public. These traffickers are skilled at keeping it lowkey and blending into their surroundings as well as the general public. It is important that everyone is informed about the dangers of human trafficking and the clues to look for, as well as what to do if they believe they may have found themselves or someone else in a trafficking situation.

These trained professionals are mostly men, although it is not unlikely that some women are involved in the trade as well. Nearly 40 percent of all convictions involve women. These women could have been past victims of sex trafficking themselves or born into the organization (Currie-McGhee). The women who were previous victims are most likely brainwashed and coached at a young age to accomplice the networking of this worldwide problem. These women have been in captivity for so long that it turns into a reality for them. They began to trust their “masters” and abide by their rules with no hesitation or fight. They may be promised shelter, food, water, attention, and money, which is why they choose to stay in the trade and help their past kidnappers catch other victims. Women are used to helping lure children in since women can pose as a motherly figure which makes children trust them. These businesses use women for many different tasks, the women can be as rigorous and dangerous as their male partners. Many victims shared that they were surprised at how much they trusted the women, they felt betrayed. Women used to give their victims a sense of security and honesty, making it easier to kidnap them (McLaughlin).

Sadly, some victims who have spoken up have admitted that their friends lured them in as well. In a specific case, a young woman by the name of Cynthia Payne, without knowing she was recruited by an old friend of hers in a Nigerian village in 1987. Her friend had become a key player in a trafficking “gang”… (The Guardian). Cynthia was tricked by her “friend” into a business trip to London where she was lured in with the lie of a bond for money. The victim was a model and her lifelong dream was to travel to London for an agency. It is very common to trick young women, for they offer them jobs such as models, nannies, waitresses, or dancers (End Slavery NOW). Cynthia was told that she would be supplied with a passport, flight, and hotel at the expense of the “agency”. After arriving in London she came to realize that the passport was fake and was given the wrong locations. She was threatened with robbery and arrest if she told anyone. Unknown how long she was with that trafficker, she then escaped and explained how surprised she was that the recruiter was a woman (The Guardian). That she was vulnerable enough and fell for the trick that the traffickers played on her, which ended in dire consequences.

Once these victims endure an unthinkable amount of physical and emotional pain, they can never fully recover. Even after freedom, these victims suffer from PTSD or other disorders due to the kind of horrific experiences they lived through for however long. Each day they live their life in fear. These experiences change who they are as human beings.

Cynthia is not the only woman who is a victim of human trafficking. Carmen is a young girl from Mexico. She grew up in a rural community. She spent most of her time working in the fields and walked hours daily to go to school. Her lifetime dream was to become a doctor or a scientist, but with her family’s economic issues, she struggled to get the needed education to fulfill her dream occupation. After finishing elementary school, Carmen moved to Puebla, a bigger city with more opportunities, where she would stay with her cousin. With no warning, her life crumbled beneath her feet. Her co-worker helped three men kidnap her (How I Landed). Carmen was only 14 years old and her co-worker was an adult. One day, her co-worker “Rosi” showed up to her house randomly and she somehow got Carmen’s address from work and claimed to show Carmen around the city. Rosi took Carmen to a nearby park after promising her cousin she would be home before dark. Carmen has not had the chance to explore her new home, so she was excited and trusted her tour guide. Later that day at the park, as Carmen said, “a good-looking man approached us. Rosi and the man quickly started a conversation and he bought us ice cream, then a man with a camera joined us along with another man who had a “fortune bird” and said he could tell the future. The man with the camera took a picture of us as a souvenir, but it took a little time to print so they told us to meet them back in a week” (How I Landed). The next Sunday, Rosi showed up at Carmen’s door once again, this time to meet the man with the photo. They met these two men that Rosi allegedly knew, and they asked them to get in the car to go to the park. Carmen had said she had a bad feeling but ignored her gut. She got in the car and that is when it took a turn for the worst. She was being kidnapped (How I Landed). Unknown of any further events or scenes, this shows how your “friend” could be a part of the human trafficking gang. How it could be happening in your community. Although we do not know exactly what Carmen went through, we can assume something horrific.

Girls her age are most likely used in the sex trafficking industry. Raped, then sold and bought to other traffickers for money or trade. Some of these girls never escape and it sadly becomes a reality to them or later die due to physical injuries such as starvation, dehydration, or they are beaten to death. As most people do not know exactly what goes on behind these doors, the torment these victims go through is heartbreaking. Treating these victims as if they were animals or objects. Beating them and sexually assaulting them countless times a day. If these victims are lucky enough to escape such horror, they still suffer for the rest of their life. Although mostly all victims of human trafficking may experience some type of PTSD, it is more common in women that were sexually assaulted. After these women have symptoms of mental health problems and physical injuries, they are more likely to experience a great deal of anxiety, depression, and PTSD (Robjant). Some studies have shown that women who were sex trafficked for 6 months are twice as likely to experience levels of PTSD (Robjant). Although it is nearly impossible for these victims to fully recover mentally, there are ways to help cope with the trauma. Studies have also shown that recovery without treatment is very rare, it is hard to cope alone with your problems instead of getting professional help. With clinics and doctors who specialize in the recovery of trafficking victims, with patience and procedure, these victims have a good chance to get back on their feet and feel freedom again. Some women have the opportunity to receive psychological therapy from the Helen Bamber Foundation, which is a charity that helps reduce symptoms of PTSD for victims through therapy and treatment. This is one of many clinics that treat these patients. It is a long process to overcome but with medicine, treatment, and patience, there is hope. (Robjant).

People must know the signs of human trafficking. Some warning signs may include, being malnourished, signs of physical injury, avoiding eye contact/ law enforcement, seeming to be adhering to scripts or responses, tattoos or brandings, not being able to speak for themselves or go into public places alone, and young children acting romantic with older adults (Warning Signs of Human Trafficking). All of these situations could be a sign that human trafficking is taking place. It is always better to be safe and call law enforcement. Even if it ends up being faux, it is better to make sure than to be silent.

Everyone should know what to do if they find themselves being kidnapped or potentially followed. If you feel you are being followed or stalked, again it is a better idea to make sure than wait before it is too late. Not to be afraid to reach out to a trusted adult or call 911. Being able to call 911 might not only save yourself but other people too. It is also very important that the public knows how to personally defend themselves against potential kidnappers. If you are suffering from human trafficking or know someone who is, there are numbers you can call or text to receive help. The human trafficking hotline can be reached 24/7, 365 days of a year at 1 (888) 373-7888 (National Human Trafficking Hotline).

As sad as it is to see all this hate and violence in our world, when there is hate, it comes with love. There are organizations, charities, rescue missions, and doctors around the globe trying to end human trafficking for good. These organizations may travel from country to country in an effort to save victims, aid medical help, and donate to the worst parts of our world. With these acts of kindness, we all can fight to end human trafficking. It will not happen overnight but with the help of these organizations and the general public, we can help stop human trafficking forever and give the victims the justice they deserve.

Around the world, thousands of men, women, and youngsters area unit being forced into human trafficking. Most would say human slavery could be a ‘practice’ that occurred a few years agone and was forged into abolition. however, the evil reality is that a special style of slavery called Human Trafficking is growing into a terrible money market that rids innocent individuals of their purity, dignity, and sense of security. trendy society developed a picture in their mind that the criminals answerable for the bulk of importation humans belong to the mafia or a gang however this stereotype doesn’t forever hold true. one of the foremost vital attributes of human trafficking is that folks UN agency area unit au fait of the system might merely work the outline of your next-door-neighbor. thanks to however the means human trafficking corresponds with society, it’s natural to own social science to demonstrate a more robust understanding.

There is also a requirement to demonstrate the reading on human trafficking in economic science. it will be a lot easier to grasp why ladies and youngsters area unit oversubscribed into human importation ‘rings’ once there’s AN understanding of poorness and simply however so many individuals would select wealth. economic science additionally focuses on how labor, money, and land affect people’s options to use their basic resources. in an exceeding ton of cases, families area unit forced to sell their kids, and ladies got to create a living through means of the trade. thanks to the shortage of basic human resources provided by foreign countries, many ladies not solely use the trafficking ‘ring’ to form a living but additionally how to earn independence from it all. To form it even worse, families area unit forced to sell a number of their kids into the ‘ring’ simply to be ready to create enough cash to feed the remainder of their family. As poorness slowly will increase, economic science is significant with reference to human trafficking to clarify why the shortage of resources in countries wherever there’s AN abundance of trafficking. because the threat of human trafficking travels around the world, it becomes additional} more vital to coach the general public on this ‘modern-day slavery’.

The steps to the dismissal of this crime cannot begin long. and they need participation not solely from the govt. however additionally on the part of humans everywhere in the world. With such a dangerous threat growing, society should create a noticeable shift in our behavior towards this unethical crime, although events throughout history have shown that it’s extremely troublesome to form it troublesome to form. A potential answer to the current nice downside will be created with the mixing of those developments, and human trafficking might eventually be part of maturity slavery wherever it truly belongs – within the past. just to be able to make enough money to feed the rest of their family. As poverty slowly increases, economics is vital in regard to human trafficking to clarify why the lack of resources in countries where there is an abundance of trafficking. As the threat of human trafficking travels around the world, it becomes increasingly important to educate the public on this ‘modern-day slavery’.

The steps to the elimination of this crime cannot begin overnight. And they require participation not only from the government but also on the part of humans all over the globe. With such a dangerous threat growing, society must make an apparent shift in our behavior towards this unethical crime, even though events throughout history have shown that it’s very difficult to make it difficult to make. A possible solution to this great problem can be made with the integration of these developments, and human trafficking may eventually join Old Age slavery where it rightfully belongs – in the past.

Introduction

Trafficking is always characterized by elements of exploitation through fraud, coercion, and other illegal means. Over the years, human trafficking has become a complicated and profitable business dominated by organized criminal syndicates. Human Trafficking, the darkest form of irregular migration is also known as modern-day slavery. Human trafficking is a multi-dimensional issue. It is a crime that deprives people of their human rights and freedom, increases global health risks, fuels growing networks of organized crime, can sustain the level of poverty, and impede development in certain areas. The human trafficking phenomenon affects many underdeveloped countries virtually in Asia, Africa, and Europe.

The common denominator of the trafficking scenario is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to exploit a person for profit. Traffickers can subject victims to labor exploitation, sexual exploitation, or both. Trafficking for labor exploitation, the form of trafficking claiming the greatest number of victims includes traditional chattel slavery, forced labor, and debt bondage. Trafficking for sexual exploitation typically includes abuse within the commercial sex industry. In other cases, individuals exploit victims in private homes, often demanding both sex and work. In the year (2004), the UN Commission on the Status of Women highlighted the need for more action in demand education by adopting a U.S. resolution on eliminating the demand for trafficked women and girls. This was the first UN resolution focused on eliminating demand, and, importantly, it acknowledged the link between commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking.

Literature Review

There is a large number of reports available on human trafficking in Pakistan. Most of these reports have been undertaken in the last fifteen years and are based mainly on studies and surveys commissioned by donors. These studies focus on a range of aspects linked to both internal and external trafficking, human smuggling, and illegal migration. There are no studies that focus exclusively on internal trafficking, although some studies have focused on aspects related to internal trafficking in Pakistan such as bonded labor and the culturally sanctioned practices of Wata Satta, Vani, Swara, and payment of bride price.

The Government of Pakistan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. The government demonstrated significant efforts during the reporting period by increasing investigations, prosecutions, and convictions of sex trafficking. The government amended its national strategic framework against trafficking in persons and human smuggling to extend it through 2020 and ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Optional Protocol on Armed Conflict. The province of Sindh adopted a law prohibiting bonded labor and both the Sindh and Punjab provincial governments passed legislation criminalizing child sex trafficking and forced labor with sufficiently stringent sentences. In November 2016, the province of Baluchistan passed legislation establishing District Child Protection Units, charged with providing case management and ensuring abused children including trafficking victims, receive appropriate government services. The province of Punjab opened its first wholly-integrated women’s shelter for victims of violence and Sindh increased its budget for women’s shelters. The government did not demonstrate increasing efforts compared to the previous reporting period. Overall, government law enforcement efforts on labor trafficking remained inadequate. Despite bonded labor being Pakistan’s largest trafficking problem, only the government of Punjab reported convictions for bonded labor and the total number was low 10 convictions in 2016 compared with seven in 2015.

Official complicity in trafficking crimes remained a serious problem, yet the government reported no prosecutions or convictions of complicit officials. Government protection efforts were weak. Provincial governments’ identification of victims decreased sharply and only a small number of the total victims identified were referred to rehabilitation services, which remained inadequate and inconsistent. Because the government has devoted sufficient resources to a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute significant efforts to meet the minimum standards, Pakistan was granted a waiver per the Trafficking Victims Protection Act from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3. Therefore, Pakistan remained on the Tier 2 Watch List for the fourth consecutive year. (Trafficking in Persons Report – Pakistan 2017)

T Khan, M.S. et al., (2013) conducted a study under the topic “Poverty of Opportunity Forcing Women into Prostitution, A Qualitative Study in Pakistan” explored that limited opportunities, poverty, financial burdens, the desire to survive, lacking adequate knowledge, and the desire for more material assets have made girls and married women, in Lahore, enter into a web of selling sex.

Furthermore, field research shows the great harm suffered by people used in prostitution: Though all victims were subjected to trafficking, 57.1% of commercial sexual workers (CSW) were working involuntarily against their consciousness and 42.9% CSWs were, apparently, acting as such because of their helplessness – extreme poverty, unemployment, lack of other alternative, etc. 100 percent of people being used in prostitution want to escape but were bonded by debt.

Numerous interventions would be required at three levels: the prevention of trafficking, the protection of victims, and the prosecution of the traffickers. From a holistic perspective of care, a health professional can play a pivotal role by providing preventive awareness. Besides, educational programs need to be in place in order to protect women from severe health consequences. (Shaneela 2012).

Studies undertaken by the International Organization for Migration have generally focused on external trafficking. One of the earliest studies it commissioned on Pakistan was the ‘Trafficking in Persons in Pakistan’ study implemented by RAASTA Development Consultants. This study attempted to provide a national overview of human trafficking in Pakistan. The IOM study conducted in 2005 collected data on 201 trafficking victims out of which 124 were women and 77 were children. The study identifies some key characteristics of trafficking victims and concluded that most women and children were trafficked both across borders and internally.

The IOM, in 2005, published Pakistan Thematic Group’s Position Paper on Trafficking which attempts to develop a conceptual framework and strategies to combat trafficking with funds from the Canadian International Development Agency. This forum facilitated members in studying, debating, and reaching a consensus on pertinent issues regarding the nature, causes, and consequences of the phenomenon, to identify viable solutions for tackling it. However, it does not provide any new information on the magnitude or trends of internal trafficking.

A study that focuses exclusively on girls is a study by the Noor Education Trust (2008) titled Brides for Sale. While this study documents the practice in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of marrying off young girls for money by poor parents, the case studies provided do not always capture the issue of trafficking and show the blurred lines between various cultural practices and internal trafficking.

In January 2004, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) initiated an ILO-funded Child Trafficking Project covering the whole of Pakistan to gain a better understanding of the nature and magnitude of Child Trafficking for different exploitive purposes like child labor and sexual exploitation. Swat was considered as the center of this business in KP and the survey conducted found that the basic causes of child trafficking were extreme poverty in case of girl child trafficking. This was due to illiteracy in the lowest socio-economic strata of the population. Other causes were unemployment, lack of sex and health education, large family size, anarchic judicial system, etc. The age of the victim averaged 11 and above, and she was married to allow passage outside Swat. Girls from within Pakistan are also working in brothels around the country. Pimps will pick up destitute or runaway girls and women from the streets and persuade or force them into the profession. Other victims are sold into the business by their own family members or even kidnapped from their own homes. Auctions of girls have been reported in small towns, where they fetch Rs.30-40,000 for their “owners.” (HRCP 1996)

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has documented numerous reported incidents of the kidnapping and sale of women within Pakistan, as well as the trafficking of Afghan women in Peshawar. (HRCP 1996) Accurate figures on the proportion of trafficked women who are adolescents are impossible to obtain, but the fact that young girls are sold into prostitution and that mothers and daughters are sold separately demonstrates that the business values the young independently. Further, those who find themselves bought and sold are invariably victims of poverty and lack the support and protection of their families.

Aims and Objectives

• To obtain an improved insight into the situation of the different categories of girls and women (single, widowed, elderly) in the province.
• To study the situation of women victimized by trafficking.
• To study the existing governmental and private mechanisms for the protection and care of the victims.
• Identification of gaps in policies and institutional mechanisms for recommendation to the government for improvement.

Plan of Work

The plan of work would outline the phase-wise distribution and will consist of the following five chapters;

1. Introduction
   1. Definition of Trafficking
   2. Trafficking, A Global Problem
   3. Elements of Human Trafficking
   4. Trafficking in relation to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
   5. Context of Trafficking in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Types of Trafficking
2. Literature Review
   1. Study design and methodology
   2. Desk review
   3. Development of tools and initial identification of victims
   4. Study phases and coverage
   5. Data processing, analysis, and reporting
3. Constraints
4. Methodology
5. Findings
6. Conclusion and Recommendations

Methodology

The study would be purely qualitative and descriptive in nature which will attempt to describe the phenomena in detail. In this regard, a qualitative and descriptive approach would be adopted towards the issues related to internal women trafficking in KP. The study will be based on primary and secondary data, the tools for this study will be developed on the basis of primary, and secondary data, desk review, and relevant stakeholders. Based on the scope of the study, and literature due to the high intensity of the issue, a few districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be selected for data collection as a sample. The study would be carried out in the sample districts/ areas; Data will be collected from different stakeholders in phases, the idea there is to find civil society organizations and individuals to get information and their perspective about women trafficking in the area. In the next phase, the relevant key stakeholders/government officials will be interviewed, along with the victims of trafficking.

References

1. National Commission on the Status of Women Act. (2012.) Retrieved from http://www.na.gov.pk/uploads/documents/1327371080_383.pdf
2. Annual Report of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Retrieved from http://www.hrcp-web.org/archive.html
3. Action Aid Pakistan. Internal trafficking in women in Lahore.
4. A Human Rights Report on Trafficking of Persons, Especially Women and Children (2002) Retrieved on July 18, 2017) from URL:http://www.protectionproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Ian.pdf.
5. Amin, M, A. (2010). Trends & Causes of Women Trafficking in NWFP, Pakistan.
6. Anwar, Wajeeha, Sahil. (2010). Cruel Numbers Report 2010.
7. Asghar, Mohammad. (2011). Govt seeks report on human trafficking.
8. Aurat Foundation. (2012). Internal Women Trafficking in Pakistan.
9. Azam, Farooq. (2009). Human Trafficking, Human Smuggling, and Illegal Migration to and from Pakistan: Review of Government Policies and Programmes. Before, Peshawar in Collaboration with Action Aid Pakistan with the support of the European Union.
10. Baseline Study of Illegal Migration, Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Pakistan (2009). Enterprise for Business & Development Management (EBDM).
11. Belsar et. al. (2005). ILO Minimum Estimate of Forced Labour in the World. Retrieved from http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/@ed_norm/@declaration/documents/publication/wcms_0819 13.pdf
12. Data and research on human trafficking: A global survey. (2005). International Organization for Migration.
13. Din Najam. (2010). Internal Displacement in Pakistan: Contemporary Challenges. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.
14. Human Rights Watch, “CRIME OR CUSTOM? – Violence against Women in Pakistan, 1999
15. Pakistan National Action Plan for Combating Human Trafficking. Government of Pakistan. Retrieved in July (2017) from http://www.fia.gov.pk/HUMAN.htm.
16. Forced Labor and Human Trafficking – Casebook of Court Decisions: a training manual for judges, prosecutors, and legal practitioners. (2009). International Labor Organization
17. Gender Violence in Pakistan. (2010). Department for International Development.
18. Hassan, Ali. (2011). Human trafficking cases witness a sharp increase in 2011.
19. Hussain et. al. (2004). Bonded labor in agriculture: a rapid assessment in Sindh and Balochistan, Pakistan.
20. Moran T. (2003). Health and Human Trafficking. International Organization for Migration (IOM)
21. Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid (LHRLA) – Workshop on Trafficking in Women & Children in Pakistan, Karachi, October 2002
22. Taj, Farhat. (2004). Policing in Purdah: Women and Women Police Station. Center for Women’s and Gender Research University of Bergen Norway.
23. T Khan, M.S. et al., (2013). The Poverty of Opportunity Forcing Women Into Prostitution, A Qualitative Study in Pakistan.
24. Trafficking in Persons Report (2016). United States Department of State.
25. Trafficking in Persons Report. (2017). United States Department of State.

Around the globe, many people fall victim to modern slavery. Human Trafficking is a major worldwide problem that occurs every day, even in America. Human trafficking is hidden in plain sight without the knowledge of the public.

Victims of human trafficking can be anybody; mostly females of all ages, including young children. They can be normal individuals who have been kidnapped, hookers, the homeless, or drug addicts. These people are often disregarded by society and labeled as outcasts. They are not only just used for sex, but they are sold into prostitution for the profit of criminals.

Victims are often raped, beaten, kidnapped, forced, drugged, and have some form of sexually transmitted infection or STI. These victims are hidden, but the evidence is not. Signs of abuse are seen in hospitals and clinics. One of the attentive few is Dr. Kimberly Chang, who “works with minors trafficked for sex work at the Oakland, California-based Asian Health Services.” She works in a clinic for teens and began recognizing a pattern of patients. Some victims have bruises, some were frequently drunk, and others were there with STIs. Still, many victims don’t tell anyone what’s really going on and what’s happening to them possibly due to fear, shame, and trauma. (Galvin 2018). But many companies and programs are helping identify victims and fight against traffickers, like famous actor Ashton Kutcher and his non-profit organization, Thorn.

Thorn has “assisted law enforcement in identifying 5,894 child sex trafficking victims and rescuing 103 children” (Petit 2018) and continues to help in tracking down perpetrators and saving lives. Not only does human trafficking occur on the streets, but it also occurs online. Petit, S. (2018, May 30). Ashton Kutcher Helps Save 6,000 From Sex Trafficking Via His Organization With Demi Moore.

1. Galvin, G. (2018). Hidden Victims. U.S. News – The Report, C18–C21.
2. Knowles Wirsing, E. (2012). Outreach, Collaboration, and Services to Survivors of Human Trafficking: The Salvation Army STOP-IT Program’s Work in Chicago, Illinois. Social Work & Christianity, 39(4), 466–480. Retrieved from
3. Johnson, B. C. (2012). Aftercare for Survivors of Human Trafficking. Social Work & Christianity, 39(4), 370–389.
4. O’Brien, M. A. (2017). Free Speech or Slavery Profiteering?: Solutions for Policing Online Sex-Trafficking Advertisement. Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law, 20(1), 289–317. Retrieved from
5. Strachan, K. (2016). Doe v. Backpage.com: The United States Court of Appeals Further Extends Immunity for Internet Service Providers Under the Communications Decency Act. Tulane Journal of Technology & Intellectual Property, 19, 261–270. Retrieved from
6. Helton, M. (2016). Human Trafficking: How a Joint Task Force between Health Care Providers and Law Enforcement Can Assist with Identifying Victims and Prosecuting Traffickers. Health Matrix: Journal of Law-Medicine, 26, 433–473. Retrieved from

Wikipedia defines human trafficking as the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labor, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation for traffickers or others. We define it as modern-day slavery. The existence of human trafficking in the world today demonstrates that slavery is far from being eliminated.

Slavery is no longer about race or specific cultural domination, it is a worldwide phenomenon. It is a complex issue that deals with poverty, human rights, international crime, and thousands of victims. Human trafficking creates so many other challenges including terrorism, illegal prostitution rings, abductions, and slavery.

Impact

When we hear about human trafficking or sex slavery, we often imagine young girls being abused or beaten in faraway places such as Africa and Asia. Human trafficking and exploitation is a global health concern that affects millions of people every day. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide-including here in the United States. It can happen in any community and victims can be any age race, gender, or nationality. 27 million people all over the world are currently being forced into human trafficking or modern-day slavery, and 161 countries including the US will be affected by human trafficking. 1 million children will be exploited by the commercial sex trade each year. (Rothman, Stoklosa, Baldwin, Chisolm-Straker, Price, & Atkinson, 2017) (pg. 348) However, human sex trafficking and sex slavery occur locally as well, in cities big and small, all across the United States (Walker-Rodriguez and Hill 1). The areas of the world that are most affected by human trafficking are countries that have extreme poverty and are less developed. An area that had a recent natural disaster or countries that are considered war zones are more likely to have an increase in human trafficking crimes. These statistics show that money and power are two main advantages the traffickers have over the victims. The traffickers first grab their attention by luring them into believing there’s a better life out there for them; an escape from their prison. They prey on the vulnerability and innocence of these victims and succeed in tricking them into thinking they are headed for a world full of opportunities. The traffickers also prey on the victims that are runaways and living in homeless environments, especially females with low self-confidence and esteem since they are considered the weaker target. If all else fails, the trafficker uses the power of force and kidnaps the victim, where they are beaten and raped. If the victim chooses not to comply with their obligations, the trafficker would threaten the victim with the life of their families and loved ones. Once they have settled in, they are set to live in their own filth. They are rarely fed causing them to have a lack of malnutrition, have no medical attention, work in hazardous environments, and are constantly being beaten, drugged, and raped by one man and/or several men at once.

Debt bondage is another form of human trafficking. Debt bondage is the act of using labor to pay off a debt. Many become a victim of debt bondage by the traffickers promises the victims that they have a way for them to pay off their debtors. Traffickers often promise the victims a better lifestyle filled with money and trips to a new country. They are getting their travel expenses paid for, such as travel documents, food, flights, and any other necessities they will need to live in a new country. When arrived in the new country, they are told they have to pay off a debt, which is not a simple debt to be paid off. The traffickers will add to the victim’s debt for any requirements they will need, such as room and board, food, and clothing, thus making it troublesome to ever pay off their debt. The debt is paid off by working in various situations like agriculture, mining, cleaning services, and construction, and at times forced into prostitution in order to pay off their debt. There have been a few cases where the victim doesn’t know which country they will be taken to and is then forced to live in a country where they have no knowledge of the language; therefore, the victim will not be able to escape from their debt and capturer. A different form of debt bondage is using child labor to pay off a debt. In some situations, the parents sacrifice their child into paying off the family debt. The child is forced to follow any orders they are given. This is an example of how some people don’t have freedom of choice; they are living their life in fear of their traffickers to the point where they have to sacrifice their children. These children are deprived of their childhood, while kids their age are playing freely on the playground with their friends. Some children are even born into human trafficking. To exemplify this information, if a woman who is involved with traffickers gets pregnant, her baby will be sold to traffickers as soon as the baby turns two months, due to the belief that the baby will be able to survive on its own at the age of two months. This is often seen in China. Interventions

Social service professionals work to address the problem of human trafficking in a number of ways. Social workers are unique in their approach to this issue because they can address it from a number of angles. For example, social workers concentrate on both the individual victim as well as their social and economic situation which distinguishes it from other professions such as counseling (Palmer, 2010). Social workers meet the needs of human trafficking victims according to the principles outlined in the National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics. (Palmer 2010). Nancy Palmer (2010) notes, that despite some similarities, human trafficking victims have “more complex and wide-ranging service needs” than those who suffer from related criminal acts. (p.48). Education is an important aspect of a social worker’s job not only to be aware of the problem and of the appropriate standards of action but also to recognize potential victims. Stotts & Ramey’s (2009) research shows, “it is entirely possible for a counselor to come in contact with a victim of trafficking without knowing it. Situations in which counselors are most likely to come into contact with a potential victim include homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, or crisis hotlines” (p.44). Social workers who suspect a possible victim can confirm through the National Trafficking Resource Center as well locating local services available to sufferers. If the victim is in immediate danger then social service workers notify local law enforcement (Stotts & Ramey, 2009). Once victims are identified, then social workers turn to meet their physical and psychological needs by providing mental and health care to individuals and groups. Studies indicate that victims especially women suffer from a variety of issues such as rape, forced drug use, physical abuse, sexually transmitted infections, and cervical cancer. They are also likely to be diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. In addition to that, victims can suffer physically from broken bones due to excessive force, health issues arising from forced abortions, problems with their digestive system, lice, and excessive weight loss. Trafficked victims can additionally experience mental health problems such as suicidal depression, alcoholism, and drug addiction (Jones, Engstrom, Hilliard, & Diaz, 2007). “Ninety-five percent of trafficked victims in the European Union had been violently assaulted or coerced into a sexual act, and more than 60% reported experiencing fatigue, neurological symptoms, back pain, vaginal discharges, and gynecological infections” (Jones et al., 2007, p.116). Social workers will address all these conditions and issues by connecting the individual with the appropriate medical assistance such as a hospital or a clinic, treatment programs as well as individual and group therapy. They also teach coping skills and lead substance abuse treatment programs for victims. Social workers do not only address the immediate psychological, physical, and financial needs of victims, they also work in conjunction with other professionals such as the judicial system and law enforcement. As well as being active in politics and the public arena. The National Association of Social Worker’s Code of Ethics, “requires social workers to engage in social and political action that seeks to ensure that all people have equal access to resources needed to meet basic human needs” (Palmer,2010, p.45). This means that they are ethically and professionally obligated to serve as advocates for those affected by human trafficking. #

Social workers appeal to their governments to use financial resources and to create legislation that opposes human traffickers and their support systems such as corrupt governments. They also promote support for women and children that are affected by working with international social workers and the resources that are available to them (Jones et al., 2007). Furthermore, social service providers work to prevent human trafficking in a more direct way. Social workers are trained to recognize victims or potential victims of trafficking. Social workers are taught to not consider victims as illegal immigrants despite their unlawful presence within a country (Jones et al., 2007). Lastly, they serve as educators whose primary role is to prevent future cases of human trafficking by educating groups who are at risk (Conahan, & Kyere, 2010).

Resources/Prevention

As governments struggled to address the issue of human trafficking, the meaning of the term migrated from specifically transnational sexual exploitation to exploitation in a much more general sense. Advocacy groups, religious groups, and other civil society organizations contributed to the discussion on human trafficking and broadened its definition to include other forms of exploitation such as slavery, forced labor, bonded labor, child labor, and so on.

The Freedom424 organization is a non-profit organization that was established to bring awareness to the human sex trafficking of women and children across the world (freedom424.com). The organization was founded by a college student Christine Gelatt. Gelatt was made aware of the human trafficking issue in Thailand after a close friend had spent several years in Thailand working with women establishing disciplines on how to improve their skills and knowledge in order to learn a trade other than being a sex slave (relevantmagazine.com).

According to the WomensStats Program, created in 2001, the movie ‘Taken’ was a catalyst for bringing global awareness to the brutal reality of human trafficking. In 2009, a blog writer, ASF, notes that ‘the content of the movie confirmed much of what I had researched with realistic accuracy, opening the eyes of the public to a variety of horrific brutalities associated with the sex slave trade.’ Unfortunately, trafficking was part of the fabric of Texas before 2009 (CCPS, Jan 2013).

Given Texas’ large size, its proximity to the Mexican border, and the fact that it houses Houston, a large urban city with all the characteristics of a trafficking hub, human trafficking has emerged as a local and state-wide epidemic in Texas. Despite increased efforts by government and nonprofit organizations, human trafficking, in all forms, continues to be a blight on society. Through education, training, and continued awareness of this issue, our communities can begin to decrease the effects of this modern-day slavery.

Most people don’t think human trafficking will impact them or their families. However, the reality is it can happen to anyone regardless of age, race, or gender and can occur at any given place or time. In addition, the perpetrator can be anyone, known or not, and can involve one single tragic event that forever changes a life.

Human trafficking has become a prominent problem in the United States, specifically in Texas. The website for Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, notes there are about 25 million people enslaved worldwide, 234,000 who are victims of labor trafficking in Texas, and 79,000 minors who are victims of sex trafficking.

According to Paxton, ‘almost 20% of all traffickers’ victims in the US travel through Texas (CCPS).’ The Center for C Policy S Texas Human Trafficking Fact Sheet notes that in 2008, ‘38% of all calls to the National Trafficking Resource Center originated in Texas (CCPS).’ In addition, a report from the Schapiro Group, a scientific research study conducted in 2009 in Georgia, found that 180 girls under the age of 18 are exploited through internet classified sex ads on any given weekend night in Texas (CCPS).

Michelle Lillie, a blogger, and contributor to the Human Trafficking Search wrote about the problems facing Texas. She stated that for the most part, in the media human trafficking in Texas is portrayed as Mexican forced laborers trafficked through the borders. However, there is more to this claim. Some of the most vulnerable populations for human trafficking include runaways, an estimated 6,000 of which are runaway minors in Houston, with an estimated 1 in 3 being lured into sex trafficking within 48 hours of leaving home (Lillie).

In addition, Texas’ proximity to the border with a complex highway system also adds to its high human trafficking numbers. During the 2006 Department of Justice National Conference, El Paso and Houston were identified as major human trafficking centers (CCPS). In addition, with Interstate 10 being connected to one of the largest state highways in the country, Texas is considered a huge transit site for domestic trafficking (Collective Liberty).’ Furthermore, as the US-Mexican border is one of the most crossed international borders in the world, and many of the victims of human trafficking come from foreign countries, it should be no surprise that of the more than 50% annually trafficked into the US from foreign countries, 25% enter through Texas (Department of Health and Human Services). Specifically, Houston is a major hub for human trafficking. As the 3rd largest city in the country, with a diverse population, a complex highway system grounded by Interstate 10, and a busy port, Houston exhibits the perfect environment to create vast opportunities for illicit human trafficking (Children At Risk). Children At Risk, a Houston nonprofit, hosts human trafficking bus tours to point out the signs of human trafficking in the Texas city.

Despite common perceptions, human trafficking is not isolated to sex alone but includes labor issues as well. Sex trafficking is when someone is forced to perform sexual acts due to intimidation or fear. Sex trafficking is most common in young girls, many of whom are immigrants or runaways (CCPS). Labor trafficking is where employers intimidate lower-income workers using physical and emotional abuse to make them believe that their legal right to work in the country is connected to maintaining their job with a specific employer (Collective Liberty). Labor traffickers target lower-income workers, many of them immigrants who are in the country illegally, and are fearful of deportation of themselves or their families. It is most prominent in service industries, such as hospitality and restaurants, industrial industries like manufacturing and factories, and informal economies including day laborers and the homeless population. (Collective Liberty).

According to the Center for Public Policy Studies, the collective effort to fight human trafficking began to be formally documented and gain steam in Texas in 2007. Since that time, the state has established multiple task forces devoted to human trafficking, including the Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Division through the Texas Department of Family Services, the human trafficking, and transnational organized crime section of the Attorney General’s Office, and many local law enforcement efforts. In addition, several local nonprofit organizations have joined the fight against modern-day slavery. These include Children At Risk, Refugee Services of Texas, Voice of Hope Lubbock, Allies Against Slavery in Austin, and the North Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking. Together, these agencies have created a complex system of fighting human trafficking across Texas through shared education, community awareness, and partnerships with local law enforcement.

Although Texas has brought attention to the problem of human trafficking, there has not been a concrete solution to put a stop to it. One of the best solutions that could help drastically decrease human trafficking is to educate children and adults about the issue, its signs and symptoms, and resources for help. This diverse spread of information increases awareness across communities, allowing residents to know the signs of trafficking and understand where to find help (Children at Risk). The issue with Texas is that the problem is not only spread out across its 268,000 square miles, but it runs from north to south and east to west with no pattern, rhyme, or reason. Anyone in Texas could be a victim of human trafficking if they are in the wrong place at the wrong time. This idea shows that Texas is facing human trafficking on a broad scale, creating a visible need for a solution.

The main solution is education for the community at large. Having millions of eyes on the problem is better than just law enforcement and non-profit organizations. This support for citizen policing of the issue would support residents in speaking up and being confident they will receive adequate support and help if they suspect someone could potentially be a victim of human trafficking. Educating individuals would also help the population look out for itself and teach residents how to identify signals and prevent dangerous situations that lead to trafficking.

Specifically, I believe we need to educate our children. Education is the one constant in every person’s life. The iSeeMe Society in Atlanta Georgia was created to reduce the supply of vulnerable youth introduced to the sex trafficking market (Taylor 960). The program engages adults and youth in the community, empowering children to make better life decisions based on the man or woman they want to be (Taylor 960). It also teaches youth proper decision-making skills including concepts like not meeting up with someone they meet online or taking rides with strangers, etc.

In addition to educating our youth, training adults is a good avenue to stop future trafficking. In November 2019, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) amended its child abuse reporting structure to include human trafficking (TEA webpage). This necessitated the training of all teachers on the new requirements and now teachers receive special training to realize the signs of a child who is being abused at home and what might be considered trafficking.

Likewise, several laws took effect on September 1, 2019, in Texas, requiring training on sex trafficking for school board trustees, superintendents, health practitioners, and peace officers.

But I don’t think this is enough. I think we need to educate students at school about the dangers of human trafficking and how it can happen to anyone, anywhere by anyone including people they know. Yvonne Williams, a writer for Human Trafficking Research, notes that about 90% of sex abuse occurs to a minor by someone they know and trust (Williams).

Williams further states that involving schools is critical to prevention efforts. Embedding information and awareness into the school curriculum would emphasize the material throughout the year and increase the likelihood that students will understand and retain the information. But this information should not be limited to students. Parents should also be educated about the dangers of human trafficking so they can protect their children, reinforce the lessons kids learn in class, and understand how to report suspected trafficking to the proper authorities. Parents should also recognize that no family is immune to this brutal reality and trafficking does not discriminate. Traffickers take advantage of anyone who they deem weaker than them regardless of class, race, age, or gender.

If we spread awareness in schools about human trafficking, then students could know that they can trust their school, teacher, or any other employee to help them. In addition, if we start educating children at a young age in elementary school then awareness would be increased early and students’ depth of knowledge and understanding of the issue would be complex by the time they are in middle school and high school when most children are targeted. This could prevent situations from happening as kids would know the warning signs and could enact behavior to prevent dangerous situations from happening in the first place.

Dr. Kimberly McGrath, a founder of Citrus Helping Adolescents Negatively Affected by Commercial Exploitation (CHANCE) agrees with getting kids involved in the process early. She points out that traffickers spend a substantial amount of time grooming young victims, given that it is easier for those victims to believe they are in relationships. Dr. McGrath says that teaching kids about human trafficking in elementary school is important because the average age of entry for the sex trade is from 12 to 13 years old. She points out that it would be too late if we start to implement human trafficking awareness in middle and high school (Cordner).

Another reason education rises as the best solution for human trafficking is underscored by various statistics that show the most vulnerable populations include runaways, children in foster care, immigrants, victims of physical and sexual abuse, and drug addicts. These are populations that typically do not have access to resources or education about the topic as they typically do not trust healthcare, government, or law enforcement officials. Schools, however, are often a trusted source of information and can serve as a resource for the community, hosting events about the issue in a non-threatening environment.

Jenee Littrell, an administrator of safe and supportive schools for the San Mateo County Office of Education in California, says the integration of human trafficking education in schools needs to be an ongoing approach involving the whole school and community (Pannoni).

Littrell infers that schools are a powerful tool in the fight against human trafficking as they not only influence children and parents but can get the whole community involved. (citation)

However, with complex solutions come complicated questions. Should schools enforce a program versus education on human trafficking? Will parents agree to sex trafficking education when many object to traditional sex-ed courses? Both of these questions have positive and negative aspects and it is probably best to leave these decisions to local school boards. But whatever is decided for how to implement a comprehensive human trafficking program, needs to be done and done early in a child’s academic career.

In addition, we can use large public events to increase community awareness through mass media exposure. For example, the Super Bowl is one of the biggest events in February, which happens to be Human Trafficking Awareness Month. This is a prime opportunity to use this national stage to increase understanding and awareness of this issue as millions of people tune in to the football game at home, in restaurants, and at parties. TV ratings for the super bowl are typically the highest of the year, usually for the commercials, and this presents a great way to get the message across to millions of people when they are paying attention.

Lastly, social media is a solid way to influence behavior and understanding. Most teenagers today are on Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram. This is both good and bad. It is good because this is a great platform to get a message across to the target audience. However, social media can also be dangerous and is often a key way youngsters get caught in human trafficking situations. For example, many teens do not lock down their profiles on social media so the average user knows their birthday, where they live, and their likes and dislikes. This allows random people to follow them and send direct messages, providing an avenue for a teen to become a victim. This is particularly prevalent with girls who lack self-confidence and thrive on compliments from boys and men who follow them on social media. This is especially dangerous as it is easy for someone to act younger or older than they are when engaging with young girls and boys. This behavior, called Catfishing, lures someone into a relationship through a fictional online persona and is a common way for traffickers to find their victims.

The research shows that Texas is ground zero for human trafficking of all types and the crime is prevalent across the state due in large part to its size, location near the Mexican border, and complex system of interstate highways and busy ports. Despite efforts by law enforcement, state task forces, and non-profits fighting to make a difference, thousands of people fall victim to human traffickers in Texas each year. Education and training are two of the best solutions to this major problem, spreading awareness and teaching people to recognize signs and red flags in situations. By infusing this education into local schools and the community through outreach events, information about how to spot, stop and report human trafficking can be sent to the masses. And if we start with our youngest Texans, this brutal activity could one day be just a point in history.

Social workers are responsible for all kinds of important issues whether it be assisting a family, aiding a community, advocating for a group, and many other possible situations. One problem in particular that plagues our world and needs to be highly addressed is human trafficking. Human trafficking is a very real and dangerous problem that occurs all over the world every day. It qualifies as a current form of slavery and disregards basic human rights (Alvarez & Alessi, 2012).

Human trafficking became such a large issue that it was deemed national security between the years 2003 to 2006 (Okech, Morreau & Benson, 2016). Each year, approximately six to eight hundred thousand people are taken across the borders against their will (Okech et al., 2016). The amount of victims that are taken in their home country is anywhere from two to four million a year (Okech et al., 2016). The majority that is affected by this are women and children and most of the time are used for sexual misconduct (Okech et al., 2016). According to Alvarez and Alessi (2012), an estimation of $31 billion US dollars is made each year from this crime alone. Unless human trafficking is widely addressed, we will not be able to eradicate this problem and the ignorance regarding this issue will only grow.

Okech et al. (2016) claim that globalization is a leading cause of human trafficking. When individuals move to another country in search of a new life or better-paying jobs, it is incredibly easy for traffickers to prey on their weaknesses. There is so much corruption within the systems that are built to protect us, such as law enforcement, government, correction facilities et cetera. The broken parts of our society and our justice system are what encourage and allow illegal activity to continue within our world. Due to this corruption, many traffickers are aided and protected by people in the criminal justice system, therefore getting away with human trafficking (Okech et al., 2016).

Human trafficking takes a toll on every person and family that is affected by this issue. Traffickers consistently break down their victims by using psychological coercion (Hopper & Hidalgo, 2010). Hopper and Hidalgo (2010) report that traffickers hold victims in a toxic environment with harmful threats, strict rules, and intense stress. When a human being is subjected to constant high-stress situations, the mind and body suffer immensely. Hopper and Hidalgo (2010) state that human trafficking victims that cannot control their situation or environment are highly susceptible to disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Victims of this crime can also experience memory problems, emotional instability, feelings of shame, and a decrease in self-esteem (Hopper & Hidalgo, 2010). An individual subjected to these conditions can suffer various other psychological problems.

When an individual is affected by human trafficking, the family of the victim is affected too. In one study, researchers found that families with young children were especially affected. In some cases, mothers found it difficult for their children to view them as a parental figures due to their extended absence (Busch-Armendariz, Nsonwu & Cook Heffron, 2011). This not only puts a strain on the mother and child’s relationship but also on the caretaker and child’s relationship (Busch-Armendariz, et al., 2011). Human trafficking is detrimental to all families affected by it, and some consequences may last a lifetime.

In order to aid victims of human trafficking, social workers are employed to provide social services one might need to get back on their feet. Busch-Armendariz, Nsonwu and Cook Heffron (2011) declared that the primary goal for victims is to be self-reliant, find financial services, and establish a social support system among peers and family. Social workers administer services that provide victims with things such as food, clothing, housing, therapy, medical care, and other social aids during times of struggle (Busch-Armendariz, et al., 2011). Social workers also provide relief to family members of the victims, such as through mental health counseling. Busch-Armendariz et al. (2011) shared an experience of one participant that was interested in mental health counseling for her son due to the drastic life changes he endured. Social workers can provide all different kinds of social services. It has been proven time and again how effective these programs are in getting people back on the right track.

As a result of this research, I have acquired a lot of new information. I was ignorant as to how widespread human trafficking had become. The amount of money it generates each year is mind-baffling. Before this, I had no idea how advanced the world of human trafficking had become. Hopefully, we can all become more knowledgeable about this problem and find a way to inhibit it from expanding. Becoming educated about this topic has given me experience in the future to always do my research and be properly informed on social issues this world faces. It helped me realize that there are so many horrifying things happening in this world that people know nothing about. If we step up as a nation and create solid actions to disarm this, then we can fight back in hopes of abolishing human trafficking once and for all.

Introduction

Human trafficking is the new age version of slavery. It involves forcefully taking a person using fraud, lies, and coercion to get some work (labor) or sexual activity in return. Human trafficking does not discriminate against race, ethnicity, male, female, thin, fat, old, or young. There is no concern about one’s religion, income, or social status. Absolutely anyone can be a victim of human trafficking; there is no known way to avoid it.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, millions fall victim to this horrible crime in all countries around the world, including right here in the United States of America. It even occurs right here in our home state of Georgia. Atlanta has had many arrested for participating in sex trafficking (a form of human trafficking) crimes. There have been many sting operations over the years to catch those involved, including sheriffs, deputies, clergy, doctors, professionals, and those out to make a buck the ‘easy’ way. During Super Bowl LIII, there was an 11-day sting operation arresting as many as 169 people involved in sex trafficking. (Porter 2019)

Body

The Face of Modern Slavery

Human trafficking is known as an invisible crime, as it cannot be seen until it is brought to someone’s attention. This is due in part to the victim(s) being of other nationalities and does not know the language of where they are being held captive. The victims are afraid of their captors, or they are in fear of law enforcement. This fear gives the traffickers a considerable advantage when they take someone. Traffickers will use fraud, force, and coercion to lure the victims to them to take them. The traffickers will then move their victims out of the familiar territory and to an unknown area so they can then force them into labor or acts of sexual exploitation.

The Veiled Nature of Trafficking

Human traffickers look for those who are isolated from others and are susceptible in many areas, such as: depressed, alone, young, and easy to prey upon. The ones preying on these victims look for those who appear to be emotionally or psychologically vulnerable in economic hardship. Looking for those who do not have a social safety net (loners), victims of natural disasters, political instability, and teens or young children that are by themselves without an adult figure nearby.

Victims are usually depressed due to a lack of work resulting in not having enough money to pay bills. This is when the trafficker sees an opportunity to take advantage of this by using the bait of a high-paying job with a ‘quick return.’ Knowing all the while, there is no job, money, or anything similar except for taking the person and forcing them into slavery or sexual exploitation. This is the hook used to get the person into their ‘claws for the kill.’ This can result in trauma that is so horrible to the victim that they forget who they are and where they come from and are unable to speak to anyone when they are out in public to ask for help.

Vulnerable Targets and Their Exploitation

Human trafficking is a lucrative worldwide business. It attracts those who are looking for a high dollar and quick payoff. Human trafficking takes honest and professional individuals and turns them into evil beings. This crime generates over 150 billion per year. Out of the 150 billion, 99 billion are due to sexual exploitation, including prostitution. Some predict that human trafficking will produce higher income than that of drugs and weapons. (Farr, 2005; Shelley, 2005).

Drugs and weapons on a finite use, whereas humans are being sold over and over again, making a profit every time they are sold. Selling a human generates income for many years, depending on how many times that person is sold. This is not a new problem; it has occurred for many centuries. The exploitation of humans, including mass transporting humans from Africa to the Americas in the 18th century, has an extended rich history in the United States. (Bales, 2005; Gozdziak & Collett 2005).

Law enforcement finds it difficult to identify victims of human trafficking. This results in making it more lucrative to those criminals who choose to participate in the tax-free reward with little chance of being caught. There are more sting/undercover operations occurring to help rescue those who have been taken for exploitation. This is starting to make a difference, along with more education and awareness to the general public. Reports of missing people are being taken more seriously and are more thoroughly investigated. The U.S. is just one of many countries that are taking legislative action against those who commit this crime.

As a major world power, the U.S. has helped push others to take a stand against criminals. U.S. laws are not without fault nor criticism, but they are moving forward to make a difference. Some contend that the law is not victim-centered but that it re-victimizes those who have suffered through the slavery/sexual exploitation of being sold and exploited. (Beeks & Amir 2006). Victims are required to go through a certification process to be able to get any help for mental health, medical, or employment assistance.

The Urgent Call for Awareness and Action

Human trafficking is one of the oldest and most unforgivable crimes in the world. It is starting to grow and become more popular due to the high payout with little chance of being caught. Millions of men, women, and children have become victims of this type of crime every year around the world in all countries. It is a non-discriminatory crime, but it favors women and children. They are easier to fall victim to predators. It has become a more prevalent crime that is hitting closer and closer to home. It leaves one, especially a teenager, feeling unsafe outside of their home or school.

When you cannot go for a walk, a high school football game, to the neighborhood park, or hang out outside in the neighborhood without looking over your shoulder looking for the unknown vehicle and being in fear of someone trying to lure you into a car by offering a job for lots of money. When all they intend to do is take you far away from familiar known areas to force slavery and sexual exploitation upon the victim. Human trafficking is quickly becoming an epidemic, yet the media are hiding it as they do not report missing persons.

Conclusion

Therefore, this makes it even more appealing to those taking and luring children, men, and women into the victimization of human trafficking. This should be brought to the headlines to educate and bring awareness to all citizens of the world. Teach men, women, and children to be alert and aware of their surroundings at all times. Report suspicious cars and people who are not known in the neighborhood. This will encourage law enforcement to be more alert and patrol these areas more often, which will, in turn, discourage these predators from moving on and going elsewhere to keep from being caught and punished.

References

1. “The Natashas: Inside the New Global Sex Trade” by Victor Malarek
2. “Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade—and How We Can Fight It” by David Batstone
3. “The Slave Next Door: Human Trafficking and Slavery in America Today” by Kevin Bales and Ron Soodalter