It seems as though every issue that is argued by the American people seems to be, in one way or another, debating the age old question of freedom versus equality. The case of Richard Schmidt’s Cambodian adventures in sex tourism certainly argues this question, while at the same time it extends beyond the traditional argument. Schmidt’s case extends beyond the bounds of the American border, and for this reason it begs the question; can you ever escape the freedom (or lack thereof) of the American Government, even outside the country? The 2004 law passed under George W. Bush seems to argue otherwise, though there are definitely reasons which support the law. Sex trafficking, especially child sex trafficking, certainly has a black eye from nearly …show more content…
Again, I see the issue as humanitarian rather than solely legal, and I feel that it is the world’s communal responsibility to address such issues. When it comes to such highly unethical crimes like child sex trafficking, I think that we have a global responsibility to address the issue. I do foresee two types of people being opposed to international involvement; those who are simply opposed to foreign nationals within their borders for government-based purposes, and criminals; criminals who may be promoting sex trafficking, and therefore want to keep their borders protected, or criminals who may have something else to hide, such as poor social conditions or illegal possession of weapons; either way, a problem which would be widely criticized by the majority of the world. With that said, I feel that the United States should appeal to other nations before being involved, as the Anderson article states: “The U.S. investigators overseas stay in close contact with their foreign law enforcement counterparts and work together to develop information on potential child predator suspects”. I do believe it would extend beyond our welcomed reach if we simply entered other nations to work to solve their crimes without any degree of communication. We …show more content…
Of the pillars of this theory, I find that the concept of hedonism is most applicable; the emphasis of pleasure over pain absolutely is at play here; I find it unlikely that sex tourists are unaware that their adventures are crimes, yet they find the joy of the experience to be worth the risk of being caught. Additionally, by fleeing the country, they all but eliminate the risk of penalties, a truth which only increases their potential pleasure (mind you, this could all change with the international intervention of the United States Government). The importance of human rights under the classical theory is also extremely important, as we should view human rights as just that; universal rights for all, not just American Citizens. We still do give all criminals equal treatment under the law, even if they are indicted while on foreign soil, they are given a chance to see a lawyer and respond to the charges just the same as they would were they in America. Finally, I find that the classical idea that crimes are individually committed is likely at play in this scenario; sex tourism is certainly a rational decision by the violator and is not influenced directly by any environmental factors. They seek the experience, and then go and commit the crime. On the other hand, I think it’s possible to argue that the neoclassical school of
Dana Raigrodski is a Lecturer and Director of the General LL.M. Program at the University of Washington School of Law, as well as the Executive Director of Global Affairs at the Law School. She serves as a Commissioner on the Washington State Supreme Court Gender & Justice Commission and as member of the University of Washington Women’s Center Anti-Trafficking Task Force. Dr. Raigrodski’s scholarship and research interests examine human trafficking, migration and globalization, criminal procedure and jurisprudence, feminist legal theories, and law and development. She teaches courses on law and globalization, American legal system and research methods, and comparative legal studies. Prior to joining academia, Dr. Raigrodski practiced law for
Human Trafficking is one of the worst crimes again humanity, it brings shame to those around it and lets the innocent suffer. Human trafficking which involves sex trafficking is one of the disgusting human rights violations. You rarely or never hear the new speak on this subject or is it a conversation that you want to have with your friends over the gossip that you watched on E! News the night before. The American government has finally taken a step forward because national security is threatened because money from human trafficking has funded terrorism.#
Accessed 08 April 2018. This is a popular website article, “Human Trafficking: Report Ranks U.S., World Countries” is written by Michelle Goldberg, a senior correspondent for The American Prospect and a columnist for The Daily Beast, published in June 2010. In this article, she reports that the United States exists as the source, transit, and destination country of men, women, and children subjected to forced labor, prostitution, and debt bondage. She also compares America with other world countries, and conclude that the US has a better record
Society has begun to look past the term “human trafficking.” Yuka Doherty’s article, “The Social Construction of Trafficked Persons: An Analysis of the UN Protocol and the TVPA Definitions,” states “the U.S. federal government constructs human trafficking as ‘illegal immigration’ and ‘prostitution.’” Therefore, human trafficking is less likely to be considered victimizing as much as it is people who are willing. With this, the government wants to prioritize who they punish for breaking the law. This is just one ways of how trafficking has been conformed to society over the
Freedom is an undeniable right that this Country was founded upon. Yet even today, the ongoing practice of human trafficking continues on a disturbingly large scale. Well said by the President, “It ought to concern every person, because it’s a debasement of our common humanity. It ought to concern every community, because it tears at the social fabric. It ought to concern every business, because it distorts markets. It ought to concern every nation, because it endangers public health and fuels violence and organized crime. I’m talking about the injustice, the outrage, of
Leary, M. (2015). Modern Day Slavery – Implications of a Label, St. Louis University Law
This past year in the United States, there were an estimated 21,431 calls made to authorities concerning potential human trafficking situations and yet, the average American does not know that forced labor and prostitution is even a problem. (Melissa) Second to drug dealing, human trafficking is the largest criminal industry in the world today, and is growing fast. (Human Trafficking – Exploitation…) This modern day form of slavery takes victims captive against their will by using violence, threats, deception and other manipulative tricks. Even though each trafficking target has a different story, they all have similar experiences because they lose their freedom. In the United States, the First amendment protects all people citizens or aliens with basic freedoms. Therefore, human trafficking goes against ones American civil rights; human trafficking is major issue in the USA that needs to be stopped.
Sex trafficking, particularly that of children, has become a growing concern in the United States over the past several decades (Kotrla, 2010). By definition, child sex trafficking is “when a child (under 18 years of age) is induced to perform a commercial sex act” (U.S., 2013, para. 4), and includes forms such as prostitution and pornography (Kotrla, 2010). Researchers suggest that children are the most vulnerable to becoming victims of prostitution (Kotrla), and it is estimated that there are at least 100,000 victims in the United States (Estes & Weiner, 2001). Sex traffickers, otherwise known as “pimps,” often lure children with promises of food, clothing, love, and shelter, and then the pimps manipulate the children to keep them in prostitution (U.S. Department of Justice [DOJ], 2015). Awareness of the issue has led to the development of organizations, such as Children of the Night, that seek to help victims escape the sex trafficking industry (Children of the Night [COTN], 2016d).
America is the land of the free, home of the brave. A saying integrated into songs, and used in many American’s conversations throughout their lives. A phrase that shaped one of the main ideas in the “American Dream.” America is the land of opportunity, prosperity, and freedom with honest hard work. But, how many Americans are free when they are forced to exploit themselves just to make it through each day without starving? Every day, thousands of helpless Americans find themselves chained to a lifestyle that strips them of their human and American rights. However, the ones depriving these people of their chance at living out the American Dream are not the people getting reprimanded. It is the victims of human trafficking that are often
There have been enormous questions on the effects that globalization has had on sex trafficking. Some have argued that globalization is characterized with the global efforts, funding and regional legislation that undermine the spread of the sex trading. However, the increased liberalization and other factors such as the presence of the internet have heavily favored sex trade globally and especially in the United States of America (U.S.A). The United States has been a destination for the many immigrants from third world countries and others that have been encroached with wars and terrorist activities. According to the National Human Trafficking (2017), 4460 cases of the trafficking were recorded in the U.S.A of which 3186 cases reported were linked to sex trafficking. In 2016, the reported human trafficking cases tremendously increased in 7621, and the sex trafficking cases reported also increased to 5593. The reported sex trafficking cases were 4183, 3593, 3380, 2382 in 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012 respectively (National Human Trafficking, 2017, 1). From the cases recorded by the National Human Trafficking Hotline, it is evident that globalization has created a favorable environment for the sex and the human trafficking. The economic, political and legal environment created by the globalization favors the spread of sex trade in the United States of America.
Human trafficking is a prominent problem within the United States that is often overlooked. The definition of human trafficking is, “Human trafficking - the illegal practice of procuring or trading in human beings for the purpose of prostitution, forced labor, or other forms of exploitation” (“Human trafficking”). People in the United States believe that human trafficking is a problem that occurs in other less developed countries compared to the United States. What these individuals do not realize is that human trafficking occurs on American soil contrary to popular belief. The United States is one of the top three destination countries of human trafficking and human trafficking is a top criminal enterprise across the world (“WEAVE, Inc.”).
Have you ever walked into Wal-Mart and taken the time to look at the numerous pictures of missing youth that is plastered on the wall? When looking at how long they have been missing, it ranges anywhere from months to years. Looking at their age, both boys and girls, it is hard not to wonder if these kids are being trafficked. Child sex trafficking, also known as human trafficking, is a major issue that is not only plaguing the United States, but the world. Residing in a state where teen sex trafficking is very common, it is imperative that not only adults, but the youth understand what child sex/human trafficking is, what is a sex-trafficker, and the data that reveals the seriousness of child sex
Images of foreign lands usually conjure up when the thoughts of human sex trafficking come to one 's mind. The United States of America is not immune to this type of horrific behavior. America is the land of the free and yet something as awful as human sex trafficking occurs in our very own backyard each and everyday. According to the Department of Homeland Security the definition of human trafficking is “modern day slavery that involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act” (“What Is Human Trafficking?”). In this research paper the reader will experience the savagery that comes with human sex trafficking and how it has expanded in the United States over recent years. Within this research
Human trafficking brings in billions of dollars into the U.S and all around the world. “The prime motive for such outrageous abuse is simple: money. In this $12 billion global business just one woman trafficked into the industrialized world can net her captors an average $67,000 a year” (Baird 2007). The laws around human trafficking are not strict and vary depending on what country it is happening in. Human trafficking is not something that is strictly foreign, it is happening right in front of our faces, in our neighborhoods, and all around us.
This research paper dives into the world of human trafficking looking into key details about the ethical implications of human trafficking as well as proposed solutions. With information such as statistics, methods of trafficking and the ending of trafficking that is found from websites from organizations that are dedicated to ending trafficking, the involvement of all countries are cited as necessary in ending this worldly crime. Information was found through University of South Florida’s library system and websites with information pertaining to their organization’s attempts at ending human trafficking. Articles utilized include Unintended Effects of United Nations Intervention, From Bush to Obama: Rethinking Sex and Religion in the U.S. Initiative to Combat Human Trafficking, Human Trafficking, and Supply and Demand: Human Trafficking in the Global Economy. In addition to these scholarly articles, websites used include the organizational websites of UNODC and UNICEF.