Human trafficking is a transitional crime, a crime that takes place across the borders of two or more countries. Human trafficking can occur anywhere in the world and it crosses borders. According to the United Nation, human trafficking is a serious crime and a violation of human rights. The United Nation defines human trafficking as the recruitment and transferring of persons for the purpose of exploitation, brought about by the threat or use of force, abduction or coercion. Trafficking’s exploitation comes in many forms: sexual exploitation, labor exploitation, slavery or involuntary servitude, or removal of organs. Human trafficking is ranked as the third largest revenue source of organized crimes just after drug trafficking and arms trafficking.
Human Trafficking: A Crime Against Humanity
By Jeremy McNeil
Due 5/2/2014
Human Trafficking
Over the course of history millions of people have been taken and used for the specific purpose of financial gain. The work these victims do range from sexual acts to manual labor.
Country to country, person-to-person, human trafficking is becoming a bigger and bigger issue all across the globe, including right here in the United States. Human trafficking is said to be a form of modern-day slavery, subjecting its victims to commercial sex, debt bondage, and forced labor through force, fraud, or coercion. There are often no easily identifiable victims as they come in all ages, genders, and races. There are said to be at least 2.4 million victims of human trafficking across the globe at any given time, leading to profits of $32 billion for the criminal masterminds behind such trafficking operations, making it the second most lucrative criminal industry behind narcotics. Despite the abundance of victims, it is estimated that fewer than 30% of all countries report at least 10 trafficking convictions a year, and 20% of countries do not even have an offense for trafficking. An additional 20% of countries have an offense for trafficking but still report no convictions of the offense. Without an organized coalition to help prevent such atrocities, it is left up to national governments to come up with solutions for their respective nations, and many governments do not possess the know-how or effort needed to combat these crimes.
Human trafficking is a worldwide issue affecting many individuals; the Department of States estimated that about 600,000 to 800,000 people are taken across borders each year and two to four millions of people being victimized within their own country (Siskin & Wyler, 2010). The majority of trafficking victims are forced into sexual exploitation, however many are also used for labor. Although there is a current US policy that addresses anti-trafficking legislation, the problem of victim identification still persists. The failure to adequately tackle this phenomenon, paired with a concern over human rights, has prompted debates over who is considered a victim. There needs to be a more effective way to eradicate the dangers of human trafficking.
Human trafficking is a social problem in which human beings are bought and sold for profits through forced prostitution, bonded labor, or involuntary domestic servitude (Department of State, 2010). The United Nation's International Labor Organization (2006) estimates that there are currently about 2.5 million people who are victims of trafficking and over half of these people are located in Asia and the Pacific. Other estimates range from 4 million to 27 million (Department of State, 2008). The magnitude of human trafficking is tremendous as traffickers profit over US$32 billion every year (ILO, 2005) and it is the second most lucrative criminal activity in the world after illegal drugs trafficking (Belser, 2005).
Human trafficking is a modern form of slavery, in which individuals are being exploited for profit. When most of us hear human trafficking, we instantly conclude that a person is being held against their will to perform sexual acts and someone is profiting. In reality, there is also labor trafficking, where an individual is forced and threatened by employers to work against their will. There is an immense amount of victims of human trafficking not only in the United States, but also globally. Bringing awareness to communities is vital to help individuals who are victims of human trafficking to seek help, but also allow those to help rescue victims. By doing so, it is key to provide information on the rates of human trafficking, recruitment,
Human trafficking exists everywhere. It affects every nation and every city (Hepburn 2) and is considered “the largest slave trade in history” (Holman 100). Although most people ignore this unknown slavery, the US is one of the top ten destinations for human trafficking. This crime is even the fastest growing area of criminal activity (G 14). In the United States, human trafficking, but specifically sex trafficking, is a national issue that is difficult to fight, but increasing awareness will help. It cannot be ignored any longer. Human trafficking is such a covert crime; it is difficult to comprehend exactly what happens and to what extent. Even the statistics are difficult to obtain.
All around the world human trafficking is ravaging many homes and destroying lives, even here in the United States. Every year 1078 young women between the ages of 12 and 17 are estimated to be trafficked into the sex trade in Ohio alone. Over 100,000 U.S. children are estimated to be trafficked into the sex trade all around the United States in 2009, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. There are many factors for human trafficking; poverty level, social environment, age, gender, running away from home, language barriers and a lack of formal education are the most prominent factors leading to a person being targeted. My proposal is mandatory education for all medical professionals to help end human trafficking.
It is estimated that each year from 14,500-17,500 foreign nationals are trafficked (Force 4 Compassion, Polaris Project). The Polaris Project and Force 4 Compassion found that 161 countries are affected by trafficking. Globally, approximately 50% of those being trafficked are minors, and 80% of the total being trafficked are female (Force 4 Compassion, Polaris Project). 70% of the female victims are forced into sex laboring, leaving only 30% of those females to do labor (Polaris Project). The average age range for a child entering sex laboring is 12-14 (WEDU). One of the biggest reasons for trafficking is that it is hard to identify and traffickers can make a good amount of money per victim. According to the Polaris Project $13,000 is the average amount of money made by each laborer (victim) annually. Although, $13,000 is the average, each laborer can make around $60,000 annually (Polaris Project). Sadly, victims who are recruited into trafficking often don’t live much more than seven years due to the inhumane ways they are treated (WEDU).
Sex trafficking victims can be male or female and of any age. There tend to be more children and female victims because of the high demand from customers. Eight hundred thousand women and children are said to be trafficked across international borders annually. Many trafficking victims are unseen and operate out of unmarked brothels in unsuspecting areas. An unsuspecting area would be that of a suburban neighborhood. Victims sometimes also...