Forced Labor And Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is an organized crime that undermines the rights of citizens and violates many laws. Because trafficking is threatening to the human population, human trafficking is a huge problem and has caused great controversy globally. Sexual exploitation has been reported as the most common form of human trafficking, making up 79 percent of offenses followed by forced labor at 18 percent. This form of trafficking has been determined the most serious form of organized crime because it results in victims being victimized multiple times (Dammer, 2011). Human trafficking is a transnational crime that has become a huge problem throughout the world. To completely understand the issues of human trafficking one must first understand which

“Globalization influences human trafficking as traffickers take advantage of new transparent borders, broadband communication, and economic upheaval to prey on those most vulnerable … people are largely defined by their economic worth, and since the most vulnerable have only their bodies to sell (labor … sex) … human beings become commodities and victims” (Burke 2013). Additionally, chapter four defines population and migration as an explanation for human trafficking. As the world’s population increases dramatically, there are many poor and vulnerable individuals who are forced to find a way to survive. “Traffickers are resourceful, inventive, and opportunistic, and can find a way to manipulate … population growth … there is an increase in the supply of potential victims who traffickers can exploit and from whom they can profit” (Burke 2013). Victims are driven into human trafficking because they are unable to sustain themselves living in poverty, or are vulnerable as an immigrant or refugee.

Human trafficking “is used in common parlance to describe many forms of exploitation of human beings” (“Involuntary Trafficking Statutes Enforced”). The modern problems of human trafficking have evolved from the problem of negligence and or abuse from parents. These kids are sought out by pimps and other people with ill intentions. Human trafficking, however, has evolved significantly since the early years of the African Slave Trade and has now expanded to the point where there are 20 to 30 million victims world-wide. The expansion of the network was caused by

Human trafficking has been in existence in several states for many years. It is a form of slavery where people can be transported from one place to another for exploitation in farms, being forced into criminal activities such as terrorism, forced marriages, sexual abuse, prostitution among other forms of illicit activities (Butler, 2015). The trafficked individuals are often oppressed through violence, threats or coercion which forces the individuals to be involved in various things which they could not be willing to conduct. Majorly, members of the African continent have been widely bound to human trafficking. However, the ordeal has expanded even to trafficking within members of the same state.

The illegal trade and exploitation of human beings for forced labor, prostitution and reproductive favors is defined as human trafficking. Human trafficking is a global issue and is second only to the international drug trade in regards to organized crime. Many reports say that, it is a multi-billion dollar business affecting several million people in every country across the world. The two main types of human trafficking are: human sex trafficking, and forced labor, both making up what society describes as “modern-day slavery.”

People who are in deep poverty often have few options which pushes them to take risks which in turn puts them at a higher risk of being trafficked. In such cases, impoverished migrants become dependent on brokers to find them jobs abroad and assist in their migration. However, during such a process causes them to drown in debt which locks them into their job. In countries where many people in a population have lost land due to factors such as political discord, crime, natural disasters, etc., human trafficking is a very tangible risk, as landless people are left vulnerable to exploitation.

There are many factors that contribute to human trafficking. These include a high global demand for domestic servants, agricultural workers, political, social or economic crises, government disinterest in the issue of human trafficking and limited economic opportunities (Newton 4-5). Poverty remains the primary cause of human trafficking. According to the United Nations, nearly 2.5 million people from 127 different countries are being trafficked around the world. In Europe, the most common form of trafficking is sexual exploitation. Thousands of women and girls are bought, sold and forced into the sex market each year. These women and girls come from inside and outside the European borders ( Bryfonski 20-21). Europe is not the only country that has fallen prey to human trafficking. In West Africa, two thirds of the population subsists on less that $1 a day. Accepting a job offer for one of their children is often times a survival strategy for the family. Parents defend their choice by stating that it is better for the child to learn a trade than stay at home and starve. Traffickers use a ruse of economic promise

Opening Statement The crisis of human trafficking has been an issue for centuries, what is the root of the problem? Why is this atonable crime still an issue in 2015? Exercise of human trafficking is stimulated by the absence of economic advantage, opportunity in the work force, and gender discrimination. As Shelley says in her article, "Human Trafficking as Transnational Organized Crime," there are both push and pull factors that stimulate the result of human trafficking.

Melanie Orhant, in an article published in the Population Reference Bureau (PRB), noted that victims of human trafficking are so vulnerable that, at times, assist in their vulnerability (Orhant, 2001). She states that immigration has been a major issue, forcing some countries to adopt stringent measures against immigration. As such, migrants seek the services of traffickers to assist them move across borders. They do it so unconsciously, adding on to their vulnerability. As such, the reason why human trafficking is rampant is due to the vulnerability of the victims. Besides being desperate to cross borders, potential victims are desperate for jobs or a better lifestyle. This leaves them prone to the methods used by human traffickers.

The sociological problem that this paper is addressing is that individuals living in poverty are more likely to be trafficked than those who do not live in poverty. The following research will address definitions of common terms that will be used in the paper, as well as background information, facts, statistics, and a conclusion with how all of this information relates to the sociological problem in discussion. The terms that need to be defined for this research are: human trafficking and poverty. Human trafficking, also known as forced labor, is best described as the “recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of threat or use of force… for the purpose of exploitation” (Juergensmeyer, 2012, p. 868).

Human Trafficking is one of the 3 largest criminal industries that take advantage of victims through slavery, organ trade, sexual exploitation and forced labor. Usually a victim is legally transferred to another country so that the people of this crime are benefited financially. Human Trafficking has become a modern form of slavery. When people hears the word ‘slavery,’ it is a harsh reality for many people who finds themselves bought and sold like objects, and treated with no dignity. Human Trafficking is like slavery due to the same method of transportation against their will to another country to benefit others. It not only involves women but also men and children, however, it is mostly known for selling women. These victims are usually

Human trafficking is one of the forms of slavery of the XXI century in the contemporary globalized world. It is a felony that ranks third in the list of transnational crimes, directly after drug trafficking and arms, although estimates indicate that in this decade, human trafficking will occupy the first place because of its incredible profits and economic benefits, it is estimated that the worldwide industry of human trafficking (women, men and children) moves annually more than 77 thousand 500 million and is still growing.

Human trafficking is the modern-day type of slavery which can involve some type of labor or commercial sex act that is obtain by the use of force, fraud or coercion. In United States and other countries every year, men, women, and children are trafficked and it is estimated that human trafficking generates billions of dollars of profit per years. Human trafficking is a known crime, but it is more of a hidden because of victims who rarely come forward to seek help. Furthermore, traffickers look for victims who may be going through something in their life like economic hardship, or a lack of social safety net or other reasons. For this part of the paper, I will talk about the statistics for human trafficking for the years 2005 – 2007.

Slavery used to be obvious. Before it was abolished by the 13th Amendment, having ownership of other human beings was common and widely accepted. Though abolitionists at the time were opposed to slavery, they were not surprised by it. Today, however, many people would be surprised to know that slavery still exists, even in the United States. The elusive trade for sex slaves is hiding in brothels and hotels in every city. It hides at truck stops, residential houses, sporting events, and even online. Hidden in plain sight are the horrors of modern-day slavery.

Human trafficking is the trade of humans by force, mainly women and female children, for the purposes of sexual slavery, sexual exploitation, and domestic labor. Global human trafficking has often been labeled as modern- day slavery; however the history and causes have been identifiable just as the causes of traditional slavery have been. What causes human trafficking? In this present paper, the hypotheses on the primary causes of global human trafficking will be identified. There are three major themes that cause human trafficking: a nation’s economy, political and legal factors, and social factors that enable the continuance of human trafficking. According to previous research indications of historical influence and social hierarchy have the greatest impact on the causes of human trafficking; these topics will further be elaborated upon during the discussions of political influences and social factors that impact human trafficking.