Washington Post Human Trafficking

Sex trafficking is a global problem that involves the exploitation and abuse of girls as well as women. This paper will discuss the problem, with an emphasis on the views expressed by Paola Monzini in her book Sex Traffic: Prostitution, Crime and Exploitation. The paper will look at the causes, consequences and prevalence rates of sex trafficking and will consider the impact of such factors as globalization and women’s poverty in perpetuating the problem or making it worse. The paper will conclude with a discussion of the ways in which a human rights perspective might translate into positive action to eliminate the trafficking of girls and women.

Human Trafficking is a form of organized crime, in which people of all ages are taken from their homes to be exploited for sexual or labor purposes. The traffickers use fear and violence to get these people to come with them, and all they really want out of it is money. I will be using four main sources to gather my information. First I will give a general overview of two websites giving great depth into the topic of human trafficking. I will then summarize three case studies on human trafficking. Finally, I will give my views on the issue, and tell why it is such any important topic for the public to hear about.

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

“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.

Trafficking in human beings is a serious crime and an unrefined violation of human rights. It is often linked to organized crime and is one of the most profitable criminal activities worldwide (Access to European Union Law, 2014). There are many different forms of human trafficking, and they progress with changing socioeconomic circumstances. It targets women and men, girls and boys in vulnerable positions (Trafficking in Human Beings, 2013). The International Labor Organization in June of 2012 covering the period 2002-2011 estimated the number of victims of forced labor globally (NPR, 2013). The estimate also included forced sexual exploitation which was, 20.9 million at a global level, with an estimated 5.5 million children being trafficked (NPR, 2013). Europe had a human trafficking matter for decades, where it began with the trading of slaves. The 1400’s marked the start of the European slave trade in Africa when the Portuguese transported people from Africa to Portugal to use them as slaves (Timeline of Human Trafficking, 2011). Later on throughout the 1600s, other countries became more involved in the European slave trade (Timeline of Human Trafficking, 2011). Recent studies have stated, more than 23,600 people were victims of human trafficking in Europe during a recent three-year period (NPR, 2013). It is important to understand what human trafficking is considered in Europe, why stricter laws need to be created, and how human trafficking can be prevented. By

According to estimates, more than 700,000 people are trafficked every year for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labour. They are transported across borders and sold into modern-day slavery. Over the past decade, trafficking in human beings has reached epidemic proportions. No country is immune. Clawson (2009) discusses how the search for

This NGO report conducted by Hope For Justice investigates the UK and global markets for the exploitation of human beings, outlines the methods of exploitation and informs us of the ways in which Hope For Justice, a non-Government organisation, is contesting and fighting against the issue at hand. Sex trafficking is a sensitive and complex issue which consists of 3 primary elements: what criminals do (act), how criminals do it (means), and why criminals do it (purpose). By understanding these three elements, one is able to delve into the mind of a criminal.

Human trafficking doesn’t happen in third world countries only. It doesn’t just happen to poor people and it certainly doesn’t solely happen to women. It is present here in the USA but it is hidden, and even worse, so are their victims. They are everywhere yet invisible. They are silently crying for our help through their eyes and smiles. According to Polaris, “…the prevalence of sex trafficking in the United States is still unknown, we do know that women, children, and men are being sold for sex against their will in cities and towns in all 50 states”. Human trafficking can happen to anyone even to Theresa Flores, the author of “The slave across the street”(“Sex trafficking” 2015). An average 15 year old American girl, coming from a privileged background and a respected family became a victim of sex trafficking and through her book, she convinces us that human trafficking doesn’t have a specific demographic.

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)

Human trafficking is a dangerous, demeaning trade. It is highly visible to the public. However, people turn a blind eye, despite all of its repercussions. Saving the victims, and punishing the traffickers, pimps, and johns takes time and can be a complicated process, but it is immensely worthwhile. Prevention through education is a key component in order to put a stop to human trafficking once and for all. The many laws and organizations are also essential in protecting victims and bringing justice. Human trafficking can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime. However, right now, right here, it needs to be

“Trafficking in human beings is all around us, closer than we think” as stated by EU Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom (Chappel 1). Sex trafficking is a form of modern- day slavery, in which women and children are forced into an industry that degrades and dehumanizes these victims, reducing them into objects used for sexual exploitation. Sex trafficking is a term than encpompasses many froms of sexual abuse; such as commercial sex work, forced sexual favors, prostitution, exotic dancing, mail order brides, military prostitution, and sexual tourism (Deshpande e22). This is an overwhelmingly large injustice that the world 's global community is confronting and attempting to combat today because sex trafficking is an international issue that connects many regions around the world. The Balkans region of Eastern Europe, because of its ever increasing rates of sex trafficking, it is a logical area of the world to begin implementing solutions that may eliminate this corrupted industry and, in doing so, bring justice to victims of sex trafficking. This situation is extremely relevant to all citizens of the world because it involves a vast range of different countries, made up of an interconnected network of sex traffickers who commit injustices across international borders. Historical conflicts directly affect the present, likewise, sex trafficking in the Balkans region of Eastern Europe has direct historical roots and relationships to

Human Trafficking is one of the 3 largest criminal industries that take advantage of victims through slavery, organ trade, sexual exploitation and forced labor. Usually a victim is legally transferred to another country so that the people of this crime are benefited financially. Human Trafficking has become a modern form of slavery. When people hears the word ‘slavery,’ it is a harsh reality for many people who finds themselves bought and sold like objects, and treated with no dignity. Human Trafficking is like slavery due to the same method of transportation against their will to another country to benefit others. It not only involves women but also men and children, however, it is mostly known for selling women. These victims are usually

The state of human trafficking has developed through the decade and there has been an increase. In the year 2000 only eight cases of human trafficking were recorded, soon after in 2008, there were thirty-seven cases reported in forty of the European countries(Sarrica 5). Of those forty countries,

Globalisation has greatly affected the global community in both positive and negative ways. One of the ways in which globalisation has had a negative impact on the global community is through the rise in the number of people who fall victim to human trafficking (Jones, Engstrom, Hilliard & Diaz, 2007). Human trafficking is a serious crime which affects many victims every year. It is not a new crime by any means, but since globalisation, the number of victims has increased exponentially. There are two main types of human trafficking, trafficking for forced labour and trafficking for sexual exploitation. This paper examines the latter form of human trafficking. In order to delve further into this problem, globalisation and human trafficking are defined. The paper then goes on to discuss sex trafficking specifically. This discussion is then further narrowed down to look at sex trafficking within the South-East Europe region. Finally, this paper discusses ways in which sex trafficking could be addressed.

Human trafficking has become an emerging worldwide public health crisis that has been understudied and under published by both society and the media. Human trafficking has affected men, woman, and children in varying ways. Human trafficking is not solely sex trafficking it is segmented into various categories. Trafficking includes but is not limited to sexual exploitation, forced labor, debt bondage, involuntary servitude, and trafficking of cells and organs. The way the media frames human trafficking has a rippling effect towards the audience and societies perspective. Positively using the media can influence society and can possibly help fight against human trafficking. The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), along with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and the 14th Amendment have all stated their views against human trafficking.