What Is Human Trafficking In The United States

Sex trafficking, particularly that of children, has become a growing concern in the United States over the past several decades (Kotrla, 2010). By definition, child sex trafficking is “when a child (under 18 years of age) is induced to perform a commercial sex act” (U.S., 2013, para. 4), and includes forms such as prostitution and pornography (Kotrla, 2010). Researchers suggest that children are the most vulnerable to becoming victims of prostitution (Kotrla), and it is estimated that there are at least 100,000 victims in the United States (Estes & Weiner, 2001). Sex traffickers, otherwise known as “pimps,” often lure children with promises of food, clothing, love, and shelter, and then the pimps manipulate the children to keep them in prostitution (U.S. Department of Justice [DOJ], 2015). Awareness of the issue has led to the development of organizations, such as Children of the Night, that seek to help victims escape the sex trafficking industry (Children of the Night [COTN], 2016d).

Have you ever walked into Wal-Mart and taken the time to look at the numerous pictures of missing youth that is plastered on the wall? When looking at how long they have been missing, it ranges anywhere from months to years. Looking at their age, both boys and girls, it is hard not to wonder if these kids are being trafficked. Child sex trafficking, also known as human trafficking, is a major issue that is not only plaguing the United States, but the world. Residing in a state where teen sex trafficking is very common, it is imperative that not only adults, but the youth understand what child sex/human trafficking is, what is a sex-trafficker, and the data that reveals the seriousness of child sex

The adult services ads on the internet offer an accessible means for the commercial sexual exploitation of children, but the truth is that the demand for sex with underage girls precedes the technology. Closing down such avenues may temporarily interfere with business, yet the industry of selling children for sex continues as long as there are buyers. (Axtell, pg.2) According to the U.S. Department of Justice, human trafficking is the second fastest growing criminal industry- just behind drug trafficking. Approximately half of all victims are children. (Axtell, par.2) The buyers have it made so easy when they can just go online and purchase their girl of choice. The internet has black market pages for buying humans, but most are only open for a certain number of hours then deleted completely. Websites such as Backpage and Craigslist are monitored but not all are captured. Backpage accounts for about 70 percent of America’s prostitution ads (many placed by consenting adults who are not trafficked), according to the AIM Group, a trade organization. Backpage cooperates with police to screen out ads for underage girls. (Times, par. 9) With all of these portals being available it makes capturing some of the sick people out there buying their own kind close to impossible. Craigslist used to have an erotic section but it was removed from the page after the infamous “craigslist killer” case. However, there is a personal section

Globally, about 20 to 30 million people are involved in the human trafficking system, and of those, 14,500 to 17,500 people are trafficked in the United States every year. Human trafficking is more prevalent today then ever before. It is the third largest crime internationally. People are abused and taken advantage of. According to the article, “11 Facts About Human Trafficking,” on average, a person is forced into the system around age 9, and the majority of victims are women and girls, with a small percentage of men and boys. In addition, the human trafficking system is a $32 billion dollar industry. Human trafficking can be defined as the selling and trade of human beings, ranging anywhere from children to adults, for the purpose of

Images of foreign lands usually conjure up when the thoughts of human sex trafficking come to one 's mind. The United States of America is not immune to this type of horrific behavior. America is the land of the free and yet something as awful as human sex trafficking occurs in our very own backyard each and everyday. According to the Department of Homeland Security the definition of human trafficking is “modern day slavery that involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act” (“What Is Human Trafficking?”). In this research paper the reader will experience the savagery that comes with human sex trafficking and how it has expanded in the United States over recent years. Within this research

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.

Sex trafficking is the second biggest transnational crime behind drug trafficking. This major crime occurs every day and many times in plain sight. Sex trafficking, also referred to as human trafficking, is a widespread crime that sells and forces vulnerable people to have sex. The average child between the ages of 11-14 years old are recruited for prostitution in the U.S (Sex Trafficking, 2014). This has become a global issue within the last decade affecting just about every country. The United States is the primary destination for trafficked victims from other countries. More should be done to heighten the awareness of the public to this growing problem in our country. The following will discuss the general characteristics

Human trafficking is the fastest growing crime in the world and is defined as the stripping away of rights from a person to turn them into property, whether it be for labor or sexual purpose. The victims of human trafficking are exploited through the threat of violence against themselves and potentially their loved ones as a way to force them to comply. The International Labor Organization has released data stating that there are currently between 27.4 and 35.8 million victims of trafficking worldwide and 1/3 of these victims are believed to be minors (ILO News). Human trafficking is often referred to as modern day slavery and if we support this comparison, there are currently more slaves in existence now than ever before in recorded human

With the advances in technology society now mainly uses cellphones and the internet as means of communication; traffickers see this as an opportunity, by using technology as a tool to reach victims from all around the world, as well as buyers. However, as traffickers are adapting to the online market for trafficking, technology is also creating ways in which we can identify traffickers and victims.

One of the most talked about issues our country is facing today, and will be facing in the upcoming years is the idea of human trafficking, whether it be for labor or sex trades. There was an estimated 4.5 billion people in 2014 that were victims of sex trafficking around the world (Gary). The sex trafficking industry, which is the most common form of human trafficking, is an extremely inhumane trade that takes girls, strips them of their privacy, and forces them to perform sexual act that ultimately scars them both mentally and physically forever. Daily average females are being forced into this industry where they experience years of unimaginable abuse and torture; and sadly have a hard time escaping.

Human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery that supplies human beings for prostitution, sweatshop labor, domestic work, marriage, agricultural work, armed conflicts (child soldiers), and other forms of labor or services (Advances in Human Resources). Many people think this is a problem only foreign countries have to face. The reality is that human trafficking occurs in every country. In fact, the United States is one of the top ten destinations for human trafficking operations – there have been reports of trafficking in over 90 U.S. cities (Hidden in Plain Sight). It is important to note that people of all races, ages, and genders are vulnerable to this phenomenon. According to the article Hidden in Plain Sight by Stephanie Hepburn, “Women and girls make up 56% of persons trafficked for the purposes of forced labor while men and boys make up 44%. In terms of those trafficked for the purposes of forced commercial sexual exploitation, women and girls make up 98% and men and boys comprise 2%. Lastly, children constitute 40–50% of the overall forced labor population.” When most people think of human trafficking, they think that prostitution is the main moneymaker for those committing the crime. However, it seems that more and more of the operations are set to put people to work doing rigorous agricultural, construction, or other types of work. “There are 12.3 million victims of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation worldwide at any given time. Forty-three

Human trafficking is an unfortunate yet all too common occurrence in modern America with examples occurring all around us. In gaining an understanding of this illegal exploitation it becomes increasingly apparent that human trafficking is and has been on the rise in the United States. Important steps can be taken regarding the home country of those trafficked, holding the traffickers accountable legally, and treating the victims as victims instead of as criminals to drastically reduce this crimes

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 of children is an appalling health and human rights violation that occurs everyday within the borders of the United States (U.S.) and possibly even hidden within your own community (McClain & Garrity, 2011). Specifically, domestic minor sex trafficking is defined as the commercial sexual exploitation of children that live in the United States. This type of crime involves the solicitation of a commercial sex act that is developed through the use of force, deceit or coercion by a trafficker, also known as a “pimp” (Ernwein & Nieves, 2015). Currently, customers’ demand for sex with children remains steady, while the profit to pimps continues to increase, fueling the industry and accruing several billion dollars annually, making

Every year the human trafficking industry is estimated to bring in around $150 billion. The industry extends around the world targeting populations over run by war, poverty and oppression. According to International Justice Mission: Today alone there is close to 35.9 million people imprisoned in slavery, children making up about 26%. The reasoning why sex trafficking endures is because it is immensely profitable with a minimal risk. With the advancement in technology, it has become easier and inexpensive to gather, move and misuse vulnerable girls. All forced labor has high profits and low risk. The demand for inexpensive labor to gather high profits keeps this economic business running. Paired with little risk of criminal prosecution, this makes human trafficking a lucrative business to enter. The demand for trafficked humans is a problem that must be addressed and eliminated.