Human Trafficking

Kim Mozena

3.22.2012

Katie Greulich

Eng 132

Human Trafficking: Let’s Make a Change

Slavery was a big political issue starting in 1750. People were made to do things against their will or be beaten or even killed. Although slavery was not acknowledged as sex slavery it was more slave labor many media outlets, authors, and activists compare slavery from 1750 to sex trafficking that is going on today right in our own backyards. Human Trafficking is defined as the illegal trade of human beings for reproductive slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, forced labor, or a modern- day form of slavery by Wikipedia. In this piece I will discuss what Human Trafficking is, how Americans can educate the public about Human Trafficking, how we can educate law enforcement officials and medical personal to look for the signs of a person that is being victimized by a trafficker, and how we can provide help and support to people who have been victimized by human trafficking.

            Human Trafficking has become the second largest illegal industry and it brings in approximately $32 billion yearly (Johnson). Human Trafficking is a huge illegal business. The traffickers lure women and young girls into the business by making them promises of the good life such as money, fame, and escape from a home life that is abusive or neglectful. Traffickers are very good at what they do. They have gone high tech, by targeting young girls through social networks, traffickers also target teens that are on the streets, and teens that are being abused or neglected at home and many other ways. The biggest majority of trafficking is women and children but men and boys are also being targeted.

            Human Trafficking does not only target the poor or rich people. On March 20, 2012 President Obama vowed to fight Human Trafficking. “Yet millions around the world and here in the United States—toil under the boot of modern-day slavery,” said Obama (human trafficking.org). When the Super Bowl was held in Arlington, Texas the Texas attorney general described it as “one of the biggest human trafficking events in the U.S.” (Booth).  This crime is not an issue that only happens in other countries this is happening here in the United States of America, Land of the Free. An estimated 1,100 children are forced into sex slavery every year from Ohio (End Human Trafficking). In 2005 a Pennsylvania sex ring was broke up and out of the 177 women and girls found there 77 were from Toledo, Ohio one girl was 10 years old. Toledo, Ohio is right in our backyards. The Toledo Blade reported in 2006 Toledo is reported to be fourth in the nation for arrests, investigations, and rescue of children involved in human trafficking (Provance).

Education

            Education needs to be the focus to stop Human Trafficking. We as a nation need to make sure the law enforcement officials and medical personal are educated about the signs a victim has when they are being abused by Human Traffickers. There will be no end to this modern-day slavery if people are not educated and know what to look for. For example Jaycee Lee Dugard was kidnapped from her neighborhood while on her way to the school bus, at eleven years old. Jaycee was held captive for eighteen years in a tent in the backyard of her kidnapper’s home.  Jaycee’s kidnapper was Phillip Garrido a convicted sex offender. Jaycee was forced to have sex and conceive two children with him. Phillip Garrido was on parole stemming from previous sex crimes. His parole officer visited his house and never realized something suspicious (Police). This is why law enforcement officials need to be educated about Human Trafficking. Medical professionals also need to be aware of signs that a person is in a bad situation. Some signs could be the person says they are just visiting from somewhere else but will not say where, has a loss of sense of time, will not make eye contact with the medical professional,  there may be a person with them who will not leave them alone, or talks for the patient. The patient may also show signs of physical abuse or sexual abuse; they may lack medical attention, and appear malnourished. There are many signs that people are in desperate need as a community and a nation we need to be aware and not be afraid to help.

            On the other hand the people being human trafficked and sold for sex do not want attention brought out in the media. They are terrified they will be killed if they escape from their traffickers. They risk murder and never seeing their family again. The victims are virtually brainwashed into thinking if they try to leave they will be killed or their family members will be killed. The traffickers make the women and children believe that law enforcement officials will not help them. They think that the law will turn on them because of what they have been doing (Toledo Blade).

            “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.” ~James Madison

What Can We Do

            There are many avenues that we as citizens can take to make people aware of Human Trafficking. Through social media, mass seminars, and word of mouth we can make a difference. I am sure anyone who has Facebook has heard of Joan Kobe. He is just one man who is involved in Human Trafficking, why waste are efforts there lets go big and go after all of the traffickers. This issue is a global issue and if all nations ban together it will end. The Polaris Project is one avenue that everyone can be involved with. Through the National Training and Technical Assistance Program (NTTAP), they are training people to implement and initialize anti-trafficking efforts. Human Trafficking is taking place everywhere including, but not limited to massage parlors, strip clubs, escort services, residential brothels, and street prostitution. The United Nations on Drugs and Crimes, Red Cross, and Somaly Man are also making huge efforts to stop Human Trafficking.

Victims

          Victims of Human Trafficking are lured by false promises. They are promised extravagant things such as clothes, cars, homes, and money. Some are even sold by their family members into slavery. It is sad but true some women voluntarily go into sex trafficking to make money to give to their families. They feel like this is their only option. We need to get the word out to these victims and let them know there is help.

Help

            There is help out there but it needs to be more accessible. The victims of this modern-day slavery need to be able to get help without the traffickers finding out until it is too late and the FBI are knocking their doors down. In 2009 the Governor of Texas, Rick Perry signed into law that victims of domestic human-trafficking will get assistance. The law puts into effect training for police officials and helps victims with services, and provides grants for groups that are trying to help the victims (Texas).  Governor Perry signed into law two bills that will help fight against Human Trafficking and make stiffer penalties for traffickers (Texas). Michigan is also taking a more aggressive approach on combating Human Trafficking. At the University of Michigan they launched a database of Human Trafficking cases. They currently have 150 cases in the database. Bridgett Carr who started the Human Trafficking database at UofM was recognized for her efforts to stop Human Trafficking. On April 18^th, 2012 she interviewed a now 16 year old who she called Brianna, to protect her identity for the future, at 12 she got in a fight with her mother and stayed out all night at a guy’s house who in the morning let her know she belonged to him. She was his sex slave. He advertised her on some internet site for prostitution (Carr). She was rescued by a family member who recognized her picture on the advertisement. Brianna got lucky not all cases end with the victim returning home.

            In this paper I discussed what Human Trafficking is, how we can educate law enforcement officials and medical personal, and how we can help the victims of this horrible crime. Please do your part and stop Human Trafficking.

Resources for Help

Alternatives for Girls
Detroit, MI
Main: 313-361-4000
Hotline: 888-234-3919
volunteering@alternativesforgirls.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.alternativesforgirls.org

Underground Railroad, Inc
Saginaw, MI
Main: 989-755-0413
24 hr Hotline: 989-755-0411
dhessell@undergroundrailroadinc.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://www.undergroundrailroadinc.org/