Ten years ago the United Nations created the Palermo Protocol, which set international standards towards combating the human trafficking epidemic. Human trafficking is slavery. It is also the fastest growing criminal industry in the world; generating billions of dollars. It is second in illegal trading following drugs.
One hundred and sixteen countries have enacted legislation aimed to prohibit all forms of trafficking. The U.S. is one. The U.S. enacted the Trafficking Victims Protection Act as a means of combating human trafficking. However, this year marks the first year that the U.S. ranked on the Human Trafficking list. Human trafficking in the U.S. mainly takes the form of forced labor, debt bondage, and forced prostitution. Trafficked persons are commonly forced into labor involving domestic servitude, agriculture, manufacturing, janitorial services, hotel services, construction, health and elder care, hair and nail salons, and strip clubs. Human trafficking in the U.S. does not just involve foreign-born individuals; U.S. citizens are also victims. Adult and children U.S. Citizens are most commonly victims of sex trafficking. Whereas foreign victims mostly fall victim to labor trafficking; including student visa holders who travel to the U.S. on promises of an education but upon arrival are sold into servitude.
I found it curious that the U.S. investigates and prosecutes sex trafficking more than labor trafficking despite labor trafficking making up the greater share of the two. I wonder if there is a correlation between aiding Citizens over foreign nationals? Or perhaps it is a critique on our society as a whole… that as a society we have a greater empathy for sexual victims rather than labor victims. It is poses serious discussion questions as to our values as Americans.
Other food for thought :
Major Forms of Human Trafficking include:
*Forced Labor
*Sex Trafficking
*Bonded Labor
*Debt Bondage among Migrant Laborers
*Involuntary Domestic Servitude
*Forced Child Labor
*Child Soldiers, and
*Child Sex Trafficking.
Statistics in 2009:
*12.3 million Adults and children in forced labor, bonded labor, and forced prostitution around the world.
*49, 105 trafficking victims identified
*4,166 Successful trafficking prosecutions
Legislation alone is not enough to stop human trafficking, in order for the Trafficking Victims Protection Act to be effective it is imperative that members of society take the initiative to help identify victims and punish traffickers.
Common trafficking indicators:
Is the victim in possession of ID and travel documents; if not, who is?
Does the victim have control of his or her own money?
Is the victim under paid, or paid nothing at all?
Does the victim have a large debt they are unable to pay off?
Is the victim allowed to speak for him or herself or do they communicate through a translator?
Was the victim recruited for one purpose and forced to engage in another job?
Does the victim work long or unusual hours?
Is the victim kept under surveillance?
Does the victim have the freedom to move freely?
Can the victim freely contact friends or family?
Has the victim’s family been threatened with harm if they help the victim attempt escape?
Is the victim allowed to socialize or attend religious services?
Has the victim been harmed or deprived of food, water, sleep, medical care or other life necessity?
Does the victim appear to be malnutritioned, dehydrated, suffer from poor personal hygiene, show signs of abuse, or suffered from untreated medical problems?
Does the victim appear fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, nervous, or avoids eye contact?
Human trafficking in an offense to all civilized people. To see how you can help eliminate human trafficking, visit Anti-Human Trafficking Resources at
http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1265647798662.shtm#2,
Individuals Interested in Helping Combat Human Trafficking- Toolkit available at
http://www.humantrafficking.org/combat_trafficking,
and The Polaris Project at http://www.polarisproject.org/
More information regarding the 10th Edition of Trafficking in Persons Report can be found at http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/142979.pdf