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Essay on Human Trafficking: Modern-Day Slavery

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Slavery is a modern, pervasive problem. Human trafficking has been found in every state in America (humantrafficking.org). It seems that most Americans likely live within a comfortable drive of someone who is being exploited through human trafficking. There is a growing trend in human trafficking toward sexual exploitation (Bennetts, 2011). The Information Age has helped to create new opportunities for sex trafficking to flourish.

Information drives many modern experiences. A wealth of information, on seemingly any topic, is at the fingertips of any person with Internet access. Society has grown accustomed to real-time solutions, instant gratification, and anonymity. New technologies tempt the depth of human curiosity, sometimes …show more content…

In 2007, the U.S. state Department reported, “600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year,” “1 million is the number of children exploited by the global commercial sex trade every year,” and “161 countries identified as affected by human trafficking” (Polaris Project, DoSomething.org).

Sex -trafficking has not dissipated over time; it is a growing, adaptive market that is prevalent across the world. We are not talking about an industry that sells depleting commodities. Sex trafficking is a giant market that profits on human slavery. It is paramount that this issue be moved nearer to the forefront of global consciousness, in light of violations of basic human rights and losses of autonomy.

Sex-trafficking is an opportunistic crime, with an underground infrastructure that knows no borders. It is fueled by a global market that dilutes cultural differences and destroys human lives. High demand for commercial sex acts, coupled with scarcity of willing sex workers leads to increased sex trafficking. Sex trafficking is estimated to generate “$32 billion dollars” each year, reported by the online campaign
(DoSomething.org). The money spawned through exploitation of humans is staggering, and it results from one of the most morally reprehensible issues that we face today.

Recent online anti-trafficking campaigns indicate a growing

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