The sociological problem that this paper is addressing is that individuals living in poverty are more likely to be trafficked than those who do not live in poverty. The following research will address definitions of common terms that will be used in the paper, as well as background information, facts, statistics, and a conclusion with how all of this information relates to the sociological problem in discussion. The terms that need to be defined for this research are: human trafficking and poverty. Human trafficking, also known as forced labor, is best described as the “recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of threat or use of force… for the purpose of exploitation” (Juergensmeyer, 2012, p. 868). …show more content…
“Absolute poverty is the condition in which people are unable to achieve the basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing, and shelter” (Parrillo, 2008, p. 698). Next, when observing the numbers that follow, it is important to be aware that the amounts expressed are “minimum figures,” since they are solely based off of what has been reported to the authorities (UNODC, 2014, p. 7). Most victims will “remain invisible to the public and law enforcement” due to coercion, fear, and intimidation that prevents many from ever reporting their condition (Hernandez-Truyol, 2009). Due to the fact that many exploited persons will not report this information, the actual numbers are likely to be far higher than research will show (UNODC, 2014, p. 7). Studies done from 2010-2012 were able to estimate the demographics of exploited peoples. Research shows that 49 of victims are adult women, while 33 percent of victims are children and 18 percent are male. The breakdown between gender for the children demographic is 12 percent boys and 21 percent girls (UNODC, 2014, p. 5). Out of all the forms of trafficking, sexual exploitation and forced labor are the most common forms all over the world. In Africa and the Middle East, 90 percent of their trafficking reports are due to sexual exploitation and forced labor combined. In the Americas, it is a total of 95
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.
Over the last several years, the issue of human trafficking has been compared with the slave trade. This is because both are focused on taking someone against their will and forcing them to engage in demeaning activities. Yet, the practices of modern traffickers are different from slave traders. To fully understand the similarities and disparities requires contrasting them with one another. The combination of these factors will provide specific insights about the two. (Bales, 2010)
Absolute poverty is slightly harder to define. The definition used by most international organisations is that you cannot afford the basic needs of life—food, clothing and shelter.
Biljana Meshkovska, one of the authors of the article Female Sex Trafficking: Conceptual Issues, Current Debates, and Future Directions, reports, “According to this United Nations protocol, human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation” (381). She records that 600,000 to about 800,000 females, males, and minors can become victims yearly (384).
In investing in the financial and education empowerment of women and girls would influence various social advantages in dealing with human trafficking. Advanced education on girls and women will result to obtain the potential in raising healthier kids and better incomes in the communities (Kempadoo, Sanghera & Pattanaik, 2015). Therefore, women will probably have the capacity to arrange the span of their families since they will have fewer children to manage and take care. Ladies are more probable than men are to utilize their income in supporting their children education and health welfare.
The International Labor Organization estimates that there are 20.9 million victims of human trafficking globally. 68% of them are trapped in forced labor, 26% of them are children, and 55% are women and girls. Human trafficking, better known as trafficking in persons or modern-day slavery, is a crime that involves the exploitation of a person for the purpose of forced sex or labor. Anyone can be a victim regardless of race, color, national origin, disability, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, education level, or citizenship status. Traffickers commonly prey on individuals who are poor, vulnerable, living in an unsafe environment, or are in search of a better life. These victims are misled by false
Human trafficking has been in existence in several states for many years. It is a form of slavery where people can be transported from one place to another for exploitation in farms, being forced into criminal activities such as terrorism, forced marriages, sexual abuse, prostitution among other forms of illicit activities (Butler, 2015). The trafficked individuals are often oppressed through violence, threats or coercion which forces the individuals to be involved in various things which they could not be willing to conduct. Majorly, members of the African continent have been widely bound to human trafficking. However, the ordeal has expanded even to trafficking within members of the same state.
Every year, the percent of victims that are being trafficked increases. In the article, “56 Little Known Facts about Human Trafficking” by Karin Lehnardt, Lehnardt states, “Nearly 80% of human trafficking is for sex, and 19% is for labor exploitation.” This quote means that almost 80% of human trafficking is for sex and 19% of it is for labor exploitation. With this, nearly 99% of human trafficking is for sex and labor exploitation. In the article, “11 Facts About Human Trafficking”, it states, “According to the U.S. State Department, 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year, of which 80% are female and half are children.” This quote states that every year about 80% of female and children are being trafficked across the world.
Human trafficking is a crime that is vast and ever-growing. It is also hard to identify and prevent, which attributes to the growing industry associated with this crime. There have been researchers who have examined the current data on human trafficking through literature reviews. Unfortunately, there will be limitations to this research because one cannot properly assess all cases of human trafficking; especially because there are many occurrences that go undetected. There have also been researchers who have linked human trafficking with particular criminological theories, in attempt to explain both why traffickers partake in this crime, and how individuals become victimized. This paper will examine 2 of the literature reviews completed, the limitations of those reviews, and 2 theories that may be used in explaining how one may become a victim and trafficker of human trafficking.
Imagine being taken from the comfort of your house and family. Then envision that you are forced to either inject or ingest as drugs to give sexual pleasure to one person while the other reaps financial benefits. You are experiencing such atrocity at the same moment in which your loved ones are mourn your loss. Eventually, you are unrecognizable and affected by traumatizing experiences. The effects that you frequently feel are numb and now you are suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. This is the reality that many endure on daily basis. It is caused by the constant practice of human trafficking.
Human trafficking is the trade of humans by force, mainly women and female children, for the purposes of sexual slavery, sexual exploitation, and domestic labor. Global human trafficking has often been labeled as modern- day slavery; however the history and causes have been identifiable just as the causes of traditional slavery have been. What causes human trafficking? In this present paper, the hypotheses on the primary causes of global human trafficking will be identified. There are three major themes that cause human trafficking: a nation’s economy, political and legal factors, and social factors that enable the continuance of human trafficking. According to previous research indications of historical influence and social hierarchy have the greatest impact on the causes of human trafficking; these topics will further be elaborated upon during the discussions of political influences and social factors that impact human trafficking.
Human Trafficking is one of the most profitable transnational crimes today. According to Homeland Security’s article over “What Is Human Trafficking?,” Human Trafficking is considered to be modern-day slavery and involved the use of force, fraud, and or luring to obtain any type of labor or a commercial sex act. Over the last few years, sex trafficking has gained plenty of attention from the media. According to a report conducted in September 2017 by the International Labor Organization and Walk Free Foundation, an estimated 24.9 million men, women, and children are trapped in modern-day slavery. Of the 24.9 million about 16 million are being exploited for labor, 4.8 million are being sexually exploited, and the remaining 4.1 million are being
Human trafficking is an organized crime that undermines the rights of citizens and violates many laws. Because trafficking is threatening to the human population, human trafficking is a huge problem and has caused great controversy globally. Sexual exploitation has been reported as the most common form of human trafficking, making up 79 percent of offenses followed by forced labor at 18 percent. This form of trafficking has been determined the most serious form of organized crime because it results in victims being victimized multiple times (Dammer, 2011). Human trafficking is a transnational crime that has become a huge problem throughout the world. To completely understand the issues of human trafficking one must first understand which
There are several factors to why human trafficking exists: poverty, governmental instability, natural disasters, addiction, and organized crime are just a few. Although there certainly are men victimized into trafficking (particularly forced labor), women and children are the most vulnerable to trafficking. Generally, those who become prey to traffickers are poor, weak, ill-educated, or isolated woman (3). Some recruiters befriend teens and adults with the intent of exploiting them. Deceived with the promise of a better life, young women travel with them into unknown territories. Once they reach their destination, traffickers burn their passports and immediately force them into sexual labor. Raped and beaten, girls are chained to beds and are repeatedly forced to serve up to forty men a day. In several low income communities, fathers and mothers will sell their children due to an overwhelming amount of
“43% of victims are used for forced commercial sexual exploitation, of whom 98% are women and girls” (UNGIFT). Women and girls are ensnared in sex trafficking in a variety of ways. Some are lured in with offers of real and legal work in restaurants, massage parlors, or anything else. Others are promised marriage, education and a better life. Still others are sold into trafficking by boyfriends, friends, neighbors or even parents (SOROPTMIST). Many of the girls and women are also forced into pornography. With all of the types of sexual exploitation comes abuse. Sexual, physical, and emotional are all types of abuse put onto females in human trafficking. Many people traffic others in hopes of getting money, work done, or just pure pleasure.