The Pros And Cons Of Human Trafficking

What is human trafficking? Human trafficking is a modern-day slavery, which involves the use of force, fraud, or obtaining some type of labor sex act. Every year, thousands of women, men, and children in countries all over the world are trafficked. Human trafficking is a hidden crime where victims hardly come forward for help because of the language they speak, fear of the traffickers and the fear of law enforcement. More border regulation should be in place to reduce human trafficking in the United States because the percent of victims are increasing every year, it is the third largest international crime industry, and the impact it has on the environment.

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 a form of modern-day slavery in which traffickers use fraud or coercion to profit from forcing victims in commercial sex acts or labor services ("Human Trafficking".) It is a market-driven criminal industry that is based on the principles of supply and demand, like drugs or arms trafficking. Many components make children and adults susceptible to human trafficking. Traffickers target vulnerable people for a variety of reasons, including psychological or emotional issues, economic hardship, lack of safety, or political instability. Unfortunately, victims rarely seek help due to language barriers, fear of the traffickers and law enforcement, or fear of potential consequences. Knowing how to identify signs of human trafficking is the first step in pinpointing victims. Additionally, we can assist victims by modifying criminal policy, receiving more state funds, participating in organizations, and raising awareness.

Out of the thousands of people that have been human trafficking victims each year, only an insignificant amount of them is actually reported. Imagine being in 8th grade. Having all sorts of hopes and dreams. Now flash forward to dreams being taken away by a pimp that lures people into human trafficking. In short, this is true for Holly Austin Smith, a survivor of human trafficking. The punishment for the pimps that ruin the lives of these young girls is not severe. Therefore, there is not much help for the girls after they get rescued from this tragedy. A realization Holly had soon on and explains, “...Although I was soon recognized to be a victim, the specialized aftercare needed for a trafficking victim did not yet exist... Twenty years ago, there were no anti-trafficking laws in place. This pimp, who raped and lured a child into prostitution, served only 365 days in jail” (Smith). This young girl had recovered from this horrible incident all by herself. Many other girls in her position have gone through similar experiences and have been hurt by their pimp. In addition, the pimp will not receive much punishment. A sad story repeated across America and is very prominent in other countries. In America, most of the time victims are the ones that usually serve time in jail since in some cases it’s considered prostitution, even if it was forced by the pimp. In most cases, the pimps stay uncovered and if the victims of trafficking come forward as to who their pimp is, they

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.

Statistic show between four and 27 million individuals worldwide are trapped in some form of modern slavery (Grace et al., 2014). Of those victims trapped, only 25%-50% of human trafficking victims encountered health care professionals while in captivity, and were not identified and recognized (Grace et al., 2014). As health care professionals, it is important to be equipped with basic knowledge that allows one to recognize victims and properly manage cases of human trafficking. Thus, a policy has been created for policymakers to adopt that effectively educates the health care community and proper steps to follow using evidence- based practice.

“According to UNICEF, every two minutes a child is being prepped for sexual exploitation.” Studies have shown that 1.2 million children are being trafficked each year. “This number excluded the millions already being held hostage by trafficking.” (1).

(2010, September 23). HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN ANDYOUTH INTHE UNITED STATES (L. Catherine, Ed.). Retrieved March 23, 2015, from http://www.luc.edu/media/lucedu/chrc/pdfs/Conference_Outcome_Document_2011.pdf

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

Human sex trafficking is one of the fastest growing and most insidious man made epidemics, coming only after the criminal industry of black market drug-trade. Perpetrators of human trafficking prey upon and agonize our most vulnerable members of society. These unprotected people are our men, women, children, who experiencing an institutional lack of resources. These individuals

In 2014, the states considered more than 220 bills that addressed human trafficking, including 24 bills in 11 states that called for expanding services to sexually exploited youth. (State Legislative). The United States expanded services like the “safe harbor” for sexually exploited children. In the United States, about 300,000 children are at the risk of being exploited and trafficked for sex. Human trafficking impacts millions of people globally; as a community we need to come up with a solution to stop it; some solutions may be, provide security for victims (of being trafficked); and help force laws against it.

The services provided to victims of human trafficking are inadequate and inappropriate and they lack coordination and consistency (Gabriele, Sapoznik, Serojitdinov & Williams, 2014).

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).

Treating victims of human trafficking begins with identification. A principal opportunity for intervention exist that may occur at numerous points during an individual's life. The first opportunity occurs immediately after the traumatic events and involves helping the individual to begin dealing with the trauma and its implications at an occasion more proximal to that event. Intervening at this point

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.