HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Human Trafficking



Human Trafficking

Introduction

Human trafficking

Despite being so progressive in the world today, slavery is still among us some way or the other. A person tends to get bound at some point or time in life. Human trafficking, also known as modern-day slavery or trafficking in persons, is a criminal act and a violation of basic human rights (e.g., right to freedom, right to dignity, right to equal protection of the law) that affects every country in the world. Human trafficking is one of the few crimes that have been pursued from a victim's perspective, with a focus on prevention of trafficking, protection of victims, and prosecution of traffickers. This entry explores the definition of trafficking and related common misunderstandings, and includes an examination of the size, scope, and patterns of trafficking; sample profiles of traffickers and victims; and responses to human trafficking. the crime of human trafficking is based on three components: the process of obtaining the victim (e.g., recruiting, transporting, transferring, receiving, harboring), the means (e.g., deceit, coercion, abduction, threat, fraud, deception, abuse of power), and the goal (e.g., violence/sexual abuse, pornography, forced labor, involuntary servitude, debt bondage, prostitution, slavery).

The complexities involved in this covert crime necessitate that responses to human trafficking take a multidisciplinary approach to ensure their effectiveness. From a supply perspective, strategies that interrupt the “push” factors are likely to be effective. For example, extreme poverty without local employment opportunities and the perceived increase in the standard of living in foreign countries, combined with having children and no husband, have pushed young women to seek employment outside their home country. This desperation leaves the women vulnerable to those who come with promises of employment and a better life. Coupled with the fact that traffickers are often women from the home country, often from the same city, the promises are believable. Public awareness programs targeting these women are likely to assist them in making different choices (Mcclain, Rayshawn, pp 140).

Exploitation of children

From a demand perspective, strategies that interrupt the “pull” factors are likely to be effective. Demands often take the form of a general desire for cheap labor to decrease the prices and increase the profits on goods and services, as well as the desire for sex. Public awareness and public shaming about forced labor (e.g., the Prohibition of Acquisition of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor has resulted in a list of products produced using forced labor and the related country) are believed to be effective in reducing the use of this type of labor among major corporations. Other examples of demand reduction activities in the United States include prosecution of those who go abroad for sex tourism and “john” schools that educate males on the harm inflicted when they enlist the services of trafficked prostitutes.

Responses to human trafficking

The United States has responded to human trafficking with vigor since 2000. In October 2000, the TVPA became law, and in 2003 and 2005 its mandates were ...