Human Trafficking Anthropology

Throughout the weeks of this project regarding human trafficking, I have learned many new concepts and terms that lead right into another. One term being, structural injustice- which is defined as The violence and harm that result from the political, economic, cultural, military, and other structures of society that have developed historically and are arranged in ways that enable some people to have vastly more access than others to resources, tools for acquiring resources, and the power to determine the terms of common life. These structures include institutional arrangements, economic theories, international financial institutions and their rules and practices, tax laws, international trade agreements, and international and domestic law (http://lawin.org/structural-injustice/).

Through this website US News and World Report, it gives us the statistics of how many human trafficking cases were reported in 2017. Along with how the state of Ohio’s case numbers are majorly on the rise. Information was given on how many victims were found and if they were minors or not. It was stated that Ohio has changed its approach to human trafficking also mentioning that drugs are being used to control these victims mainly.

Of the 208 people identified as potential victims of human trafficking, the report found that 18 percent were minors. The report also found all but 10 of the 221 suspected traffickers were involved in the sex trade. The report identified drugs, alcohol and other addictions as risk factors for victims in 100 cases last year. DeWine said the rise in human trafficking cases is connected to the state's opioid addiction crisis. "Drugs are used to control," he said. "Because opioids are so addictive, it makes it easier for a pimp, makes it easier for a human-trafficker to control a victim. "Ohio has changed its approach to human trafficking in recent years by increasing penalties and approaching those forced into prostitution as victims instead of

Thorn is a non-profit organization that Defends children, who have been trafficked along with working to address the sexual exploitation of children. The founder of Thorn is well known actor, Ashton Kutcher. Starting his mission to help children since 2009, Kutcher recently identified 2,000 children who were trafficked in the past six months. Kutcher states that this organization is now “his day job” and has met victims in Russia, India, along with victims that have been trafficked from Mexico, victims from New York and New Jersey and all across the United States.

Another organization that hits right here in Cleveland, is the Renee Jones Empowerment Center. This center was found in 1998 and has been successful ever since. This organization gives those who have been victims of trafficking a chance to regain their self-worth. Through multiple activities and even horse therapy, Rene Jones is open to help all kind of human trafficking victims. The Renee Jones Empowerment Center is the only Northeast Ohio organization that is committed to deliver life coaching and many other