The Horrors of Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is defined as a recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, of receipt of persons, by means of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, or abuse of power of a position of vulnerability for the purpose of exploitation (Human Trafficking Information). Today human trafficking, also known as modern-day slavery, has been one of the controversial issues in the United States and nationwide. In fact, it is now considered as the fastest growing multi-billion-dollar business form of organized crime. Also, Human trafficking is affecting the lives of millions around the globe and robbing the victims of their pride. As a matter of fact, Traffickers deceive men, women, and young children from around the world to force them into unspeakable

Human trafficking, or the selling and buying of people, is a well-hidden yet prominent issue within today’s society. It is both an immoral and horrific topic that needs brought to attention and dealt with. When human beings are manipulated into work, sexual servitude, or economic hardship, human trafficking is occurring. In the year of 2006, only one individual is convicted of human trafficking per 800 victims (UNGIFT). 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 one of the largest growing criminal activities. The commercial sexual exploitation of children, also known as CSEC, is often perceived as a hidden atrocity that occurs in an international setting. However, this manifestation of sexual abuse has increased and has become a recognized health issue in the United States. You may hear this problem to be known as domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST). Domestic minor sex trafficking is defined as the “recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act” where the person is a citizen younger than the age of 18 years by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. This includes sexual acts like survival sex, prostitution, and stripping, where the child is the victim of criminal exploitation in exchange for remuneration in the form of money, food, shelter, or other valued entity. Approximately twenty-eight percent of US minors living on the streets are reported to exchanging sex for drugs or money. The estimation so far is that 150,000 to 300,000 children are falling at risk of being victimized each year, and the average age at which they are recruited is twelve to fourteen years of age. By raising awareness we are avoiding children suffering from long-term health consequences such as severe sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. By raising awareness a family may not lose their little boy or girl to human trafficking. Consider how many young women have been kidnapped, drugged, tricked or even sold by

Sex trafficking is a hidden issue in every country of the world; the overview of this ongoing and increasing problem includes, the meaning, the victims and the locations. Human trafficking has a central definition of modern day slavery which, in some fields, represents slavery from the past using forced labor. However, sex trafficking is the most common type of trafficking in North America (Hotline Statistics). Human trafficking is a 32 billion dollar organization which involves around 2.5 million people worldwide and has been increasing since 2015 (Facts on Human Trafficking and Sex Slavery). From the year 2007 to 2016, a total of 31,659 cases were reported in the United States alone and many of the cases were women induced into the sex trade (Hotline Statistics). Traffickers do not have standards for their victims, “Victims can be men or women, adults or children, foreign nationals or U.S. Citizens” (The Victims and Traffickers). Most victims are from similar backgrounds including runaway or homeless youth, victims of domestic violence, sexual assault cases, war or conflicted disputes, and social discrimination (The Victims and Traffickers). Drug addiction, school

California harbors 3 of the FBI’s 13 highest child sex trafficking areas in the nation (Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco).

The International Labor Organization estimated that there were 4.5 million victims trapped in forced sexual exploitation, or sex trafficking, globally. Most would believe that this is a problem that does not occur in the United States, but they would be wrong. In 2007 alone, 14,588 sex trafficking cases were reported in the United States and the problem is only getting worse. This research paper will discuss multiple topics such as the definition of sex trafficking, recruitment and those at risk, where it occurs, organizations, consequences, a healthcare provider’s role and a study on the attitudes of the public. The objective is to bring light to this problem and educate those who are reading (Polaris Project, 2016).

Reports suggest that majority of young sex trafficking victims are either currently in foster care or have been involved with the child welfare system in the past. In 2013, 60 percent of the child sex trafficking victims recovered as part of a FBI nationwide raid from over 70 cities were children from foster care or group homes. (Saar) Children in foster care often feel as though no one cares for them- many see themselves as only a paycheck for their foster parents. These children crave attention and stability and can be easily seduced by sex traffickers. Furthermore, traffickers will even send one of their girls into group homes to find victims, urging them to come with them by saying that they will have a “family” and financial stability. (Saar) In summary, the current child welfare system makes children feel worthless and in need of stability, making them a much larger target for sex trafficking than non foster care children. Secondly, victims of human trafficking experience emotional and physical suffering that can last a lifetime. Trafficked men, women and children are usually taken to brothels, escort

The innocence of a child is a cherished value held in the heart of all children. All children deserve the purest of education and care, completely free of coercion and threat. Through the twisted criminal act of human trafficking, innocent children are placed into a modern day act of slavery. Though the thought of enslaving children is shocking, the issue of human sex trafficking is still well alive and rising in the United States. In efforts to raise awareness and inform the public of this heinous act, it is important to identify the issue of human sex trafficking, capture the johns while raising awareness, and to provide rehabilitation for the victims.

What comes to mind when hearing the word “child”? Maybe it is a simpler time, excitement, or innocence. What if the words “sex trafficking” were added after it, then what? Child sex trafficking is one of those taboo subjects that we hear of on the news, yet nobody feels comfortable discussing in public, especially because society has trained us as individuals to believe it will never happen to us. However, it is necessary in order to fight it and diminish its existence. This paper will reveal not only the definition of child sex trafficking and those most likely to become victims, but also how expansive it is locally as well as federally and internationally, legislation on the topic, survivor stories and their need for support, and

Sex trafficking is a frightening reality for many young girls in our world. It's a money making endeavor that sells the youth of little girls around the world, sometimes with no repercussions of any kind. Even if we do not hear about it often in our day to day lives, every moment, a vast number of girls are being sold by sometimes otherwise unsuspecting looking people. In 2017 alone, there were more than 200 cases of sex trafficking in the United States(Aguirre, 2017). Sex trafficking violates our basic human rights by robbing these girls of their freedom by making them slaves to their pimps(Human Trafficking: A Human Rights Abuse with Global Dimensions, Birkenthal, p. 27). They ensnare them in a world of ongoing physical abuse, rape, exposure to diseases like HIV and AIDS, and both mental and emotional trauma. Why does this harrowing crime take place and who are the victims? Sex trafficking occurs due to financial struggle and an unpleasant home life.

Human trafficking is known worldwide as the modern-day form of slavery. According to several sources, 20-30 million people are currently enslaved or trafficked all around the world. This includes groups of people or individuals being held against their will. Human trafficking can be described as the use of force or fraud in order to gain control over another person. Over time, the wicked problem has grown exponentially due to the supply and demand of things. By spreading awareness and facts, human trafficking, as a wicked problem, could be controlled in the future.

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.

“Man is a wolf to man.” This Latin proverb starts the reader on a harrowing journey into

Human Sex Trafficking is the action of illegally recruiting, human beings either within national or international borders for sexual exploitation purposes. It is hard to pinpoint how many people are being affected by trafficking, due to the secrecy that traders practice. Young teens are admitted in sex trade around the age of 12-14 years old. The sex traffickers are generating almost 100 billion in profits per year. It is the third largest international crime industry. In the U.S alone, around 15,000-17,000 people are being trafficked each year. This social problem is hard to interpret by others. People are not aware of the signs, dangers, and the effects that human sex trafficking has on society.

Summary: Human trafficking is a serious crime and a direct violation of human rights. It can be defined as an illegal trade of human beings in which they are treated as possessions to be controlled for labor intensive work like slavery, or exploited by being forced into prostitution. Every year, millions of people are trafficked globally and thousands of them are trafficked here or within the United States. “Women are victims in about 85% of sex trafficking cases, and for the men about 40% of labor trafficking cases. There are about 41% of sex