Human Trafficking – A Transnational Crime

USA, U.S. Department of State, Democracy and Global Affair. (2005, August 19). The Facts about Child Sex Tourism. Retrieved April 8, 2014. U.S. Laws on Trafficking in Persons.

January. 10: 3-30, doi:10.1177/1524838008327262 Polaris Project | Combating Human Trafficking and Modern-day Slavery. (n.d.). Polaris Project | Combating Human Trafficking and Modern-day Slavery. Retrieved March 7, 2014, from http://www.polarisproject.org Walker-Rodriguez, A., Hill, R. “Human Sex Trafficking.” FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin.

The main purpose of trafficking is to obtain and sell individuals which then traffickers force into situations where their labor is exploited and their working conditions abuse human rights (Salt 34). Human trafficking has been growing into an epidemic over the years. Laczko writes that it has become a major concern for several governments and organizations such as human rights, social services, health, and law enforcement. According to Feingold, a great deal of trafficking incidences starts as illegal immigration gone horribly awry (28). The reasons a victim is bought while being trafficked can vary.

As a result, many Asian women and children were forced and raped by U.S. armies. The consequences, would later be reflected in the countries that now face the major concern of child sex trafficking. Currently, the commercial sexual exploitation of children exists in almost every Asian country, including: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Burma. For various reasons, child sex trafficking dominates many countries. “It is reported that 23,000 Cambodian per year are victims of trafficking, including minors” (United Stated Department of State).

By looking at straight statistics, reasons human trafficking happens, and the toll it has on people, it is very clear that this is a major issue that is happening in our world. Human trafficking is a worldwide problem. From California to Australia, it happens. “161 countries are reported to be affected by human trafficking by being either a source, transit, or destination count. Out of the 161 countries, 56% of those are in Asia and the Pacific, being the number one place it occurs” (UNGIFT).

. Retrieved April 30, 2014, from http://www.polarisproject.org/human-trafficking/human-trafficking-faqs#How many human trafficking victims are there in the United States? Homeland Security. (n.d.). Human Trafficking.

Statistics show that over 35 million dollars of Columbia’s economy results from human trafficking. Human trafficking causes lifetime trauma, varying from physical to psychological abuse. According to researches, people being trafficked suffer from depression and anxiety due to their unstable psychological state. Furthermore, physical abuse include bruises, broken bones, or even organ trading. Children are more concerned and involved in human trafficking since they are sent into pornography and sex industries, making more money for sellers.

Staggering report exposes us sex trafficking. Retrieved from http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/sex-trafficking-america-0 PARKER, S. C., & SKRMETTI, J. T. (2013). Pimps Down: A Prosecutorial Perspective on Domestic Sex Trafficking. University Of Memphis Law Review, 43(4), 1013-1045. Slavery map: North America.

U.S. Department of State, n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. . "What Is Human Trafficking?"

Like many victims of trafficking, she was sold by impoverished parents and transported illegally across international borders. While in captivity, she was physically abused, called the "The Stupid Girl", and threatened if she should attempt escape (U.S. Immigration). This young girl is just one of an estimated 2-4 million girls who are globally trafficked every year (Clark). The United States Government regards human trafficking as a form of modern-day slavery, a violation of fundamental human rights, and a threat to national and global security (Trafficking). In recent years, combating human trafficking has become a primary foreign policy objective of the United States Government.