Summary: The Health Care Industry

Human trafficking is a public health problem within the United States and Internationally. The victims subjected to the lifestyle of human trafficking can have sexually transmitted disease, HIV virus, and AIDS. It is an estimated 30,000 victims of human sex trafficking dying each year from abuse, disease, torture, and neglect. According, to U.S. government an estimates, of 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders annually, and up to 17,500 people are trafficked into the United States each year (Hodge, 2008). “According to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), over the past 30 years, over 30 million children have been sexually exploited through human trafficking” (Random Facts, 2015, para. 24).

Human trafficking is one of the many faces of organized crime. Human trafficking is a broad term which contains trafficking for the purpose of sex along with the exploitation of labor. Currently, there are 20.9 million victims of sex slavery (Stacy.j.cecchet 2014 482) whom have or are suffering suffer inhumane circumstances and consequences. Sex trafficking is one of the largest criminal activities in the world (Stacy 249). Vulnerable women and children are taken advantage of and thrown into sex slavery, yet there is no explanation available as to how women and children are taken and thrown into the industry within countries such as Canada and the United States of America (482 Stacy j Cecchet 2014), which have human rights protection. Sex slavery leaves everlasting mental and physical effects on the abused women and children being trafficked. Even though sex trafficking is a crime it is also, for a lack of better words, an industry which would cease to exist if it was not for the supply and demand for women and children.

Sex trafficking is essentially systemic rape for profit. Force, fraud and coercion are used to control the victim’s behavior which may secure the appearance of consent to please the buyer (or john). Behind every transaction is violence or the threat of violence (Axtell par. 4). Just a decade ago, only a third of the countries studied by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime had legislation against human trafficking. (Darker Side, par.1) Women, children, and even men are taken from their homes, and off of the streets and are brought into a life that is almost impossible to get out of. This life is not one of choice, it is in most times by force. UNODC estimates that the total international human trafficking is a

Human trafficking, commonly known as modern day slavery, is a secretive crime that has generated billions of dollars worldwide and currently enslaves more than twice the total number of people involved in the 350-year African Slave Trade (Bates & Soodalter, 2009 cited in Richards, 2014). Approximately 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders and 14,500 to 17,500 of those individuals are being trafficked within and across the United States border annually (Richards, 2014). Trafficked individuals experience many health issues and nurses are one of the first health professionals to be in contact with trafficked individuals during their captivity and upon their release (Holland, 2014). The researchers are gathering information to educate nurses on evidence based practice for victims of human trafficking and the key health assessment techniques. Providing community resources and patient and family education are topics that will be discussed pertaining to the nurse’s role in intervention. With the assistance of the Colorado Human Trafficking Council, the researchers were in contact with a local registered nurse involved and human trafficking advocate. The findings will be discussed.

Human trafficking has received increasing global attention over the past decade. Trafficking of women and girls for forced sex work and, to a lesser extent, domestic servitude, were the sole focus of advocacy and assistance. There is recognition in today’s society that women, children, and men are trafficked into many different forms of labour, and for sexual exploitation. In her article, “Understanding and Addressing Violence Against Women”, Cathy Zimmerman and Heidi Stockl focus on the commonality of human trafficking and how evident it is in everyday life. They bring in the health effects and possible solutions to human trafficking to help validate their opinion and argument. In the solutions they offer, Zimmerman and Stockl shine a light on policy-makers/decision-makers, health-care providers, and researchers/funders and what each of these groups of people can do to help combat the issue of human trafficking. In a quote from their article, Stockl and Zimmerman say: “Health care providers and organizations involved with trafficked persons should increase their capacity to identify and refer people in trafficking situations and provide sensitive and safe services to people post-trafficking”. This quote shows how Zimmerman and Stockl believe human trafficking should be combated by caring and talking to those affected by the issue but how they also believe awareness should be made about human trafficking so as to allow people surrounding the issue to identify and help victims of this issue. Zimmerman and Stockl’s view on the ways human trafficking should be combatted relate to those of Soroptimist due to the fact that the two groups of people are focused mainly on helping women and girls who have been trafficked and trying to get them to a better life after getting out of the trafficking situation. Both groups focus on helping men as well, providing options to help them such as raising money and awareness, and getting educated on being able to identify victims of human trafficking.

The Nation’s Health states that Health workers are working to help identify sex trafficking victims.

This article provided an overview of relevant issues surrounding contemporary sex trafficking, including risk factors. The article estimates that 600,000 to 800,000 men, women, and child are sex trafficked every year. It also explains three main factors that play into sex trafficking: human rights, migration, and security. This article exemplifies women’s lack of agency in relation to their bodies. Although there are male sex workers, there are many more female workers, further exploiting women’s sexuality. This aids in the fear women grow up and live with; the fear of being sold.

Regardless of “the growing recognition that human trafficking is an important national and global issue, little empirical research containing primary data has been published.” However, there are many that are passionate about this horrific matter and are determined to make a difference. For instance, the Fraser Health Authority is establishing a way that will help health workers identify signs of human trafficking. Their new program is called ‘Help, Don’t Hinder’ and helps workers identify signs of abuse in victims, specific injuries, certain living situations, “long work hours, and a lack of money, documents or permanent homes.” Many times the victim is unable to ask for help. A victim may look like an average everyday worker, customer, or person passing by on the street. This is why the most beneficial thing that one can do to help is to recognize the signs of human trafficking and know how to help. Not only this, but have the bravery to reach out to someone and give them the aid and support that they need. This program is expected to raise awareness over the next three years and increase research as well as legislative responses. All social workers throughout America should follow this example to help raise their awareness so they know when they see this issue happening around them, and help raise awareness in

In the second section of my essay, I will propose mandatory training of law enforcement officials in order to identify victims and ensure that they are not labeled as criminals. I will also emphasize the importance of increasing awareness about the issue of human trafficking among the general public to help rescue victims and prevent trafficking situations. I will explain how victims come into contact with people other than their traffickers but are often unable to directly ask for help. Frequently, women trapped in trafficking have a crippling fear of their trafficker and would not dare to brave the unknown of calling for help, even if

“Previous research has shown recommendations for an array of aftercare services for sex trafficking victims…emphasized the need for sustainable medical and psychological support, education, and vocational training after exiting a trafficking situation” (Twigg 2017). Aftercare services are designed to promote recovery, prevent traumatization, and remove barriers against victims

There is a specific population of children who are targeted by traffickers, which include homeless and runaway youth. The risk factors that contribute to their high level of vulnerability include poverty, severe abuse and neglect within the family, drug and alcohol abuse, and unstable relationships with their caregivers. Unfortunately, many victims also have a past traumatic experience with sexual molestation, rape or incest in their early childhood (Countryman-Roswum & Bolin, 2014).

According to the Bureau of Justice, human trafficking is becoming the nations second largest problem, following the war on drugs (“Anti Human Trafficking Initiative” 1.) Statistics on human trafficking in the United States are very scarce and there have not been many studies conducted on the issue. Of the studies done, many of the studies focus only on minors. 100,000-300,000 children are prostituted each year in the United States. In the Ohio, 1,078 people will be trafficked into the sex trade each year. Between January 2003 and June 2006, 15 human trafficking cases were identified in the Columbus and Toledo area. Human trafficking is not something that only takes place in foreign areas, which is why the Polaris project is working to fight human trafficking not only in foreign areas but also in the United States.

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 a very complex and layered phenomenon. Critically evaluate some possible explanations for it's continued prevalence and seeming invincibility to regulation and control.

The modern world today is proud to recognize the equality that has been acknowledged between age, gender, and race. Women are beginning to be treated as equals with men, in new customs, lifestyle, society, and economy. Today, women are freer and are liberated from their traditional roles as housewives, and are pursuing their hopes and dreams. However, this is not the case in many regions of the world. In the developing countries, thousands of females are dehumanized by prostitution and the trafficking of women and children is dehumanizing which serves only to benefit men. It exploits and violates the rights of women in the developing world. Sexual exploitation, which includes sex tourism,