Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking

Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive literature review on the topic “human trafficking”, keeping in consideration the significant paradigms in the area of criminology. The paper would discuss the way mass media in the United States presents the issue of human trafficking prevalent in the nation and would also discuss and illustrate the steps and actions taken in the country for the order of countering this issue, both at federal as well as national level. The lat section of the paper, being the most important one, presents the solutions recommended to reduce the frequency of occurrence of human trafficking in the nation, while minimizing the impacts caused by the issue.

Literature Review

Human trafficking is counted amongst the most highly profitable illicit businesses across the globe. This business entails the trade of human beings with intent to enslave them. Human trafficking may be described as the trade of humans by means of deception, threats, and coercion. Generally, the entire world has been subjected to this crime since it is widely assumed that there isn't any single nation that has not been impacted, counting in every state in the US that is known to have acquired the best instruments, abilities, and powers for detecting criminal activities and illicit trade (Aronowitz, 2001). The revenues generated by human trafficking has facilitated the financing of organized cartels who exploit the susceptible individuals, particularly those who belong to low socio-economic backgrounds, promising them enhanced prospects just for the purpose of subjecting them to work without paying them. It is indicated through statistics presented in the 2004 reports that such cartels are earning exorbitant profits. This valued the profits earned to almost thirty two billion dollars that directly goes to the cartel heads and is employed for supporting increased illicit activities (Savona & Sonia, 2007).

Human trafficking and smuggling of people are two different concepts despite the fact that either of the two is considered as a crime which must be punished by law. The smuggling of people entails that the people, mostly illicit migrants, are provided with the means for entering into a foreign state or country without going through a proper legal procedure and to acquire money. The smuggled individuals are set free for starting their own lives at a place of their choice after they reach their destinations. Human trafficking however is not a novel phenomenon; its roots date back to the times of the establishment of civilization - that is even before the fifteenth century. In the contemporary society, human trafficking is conducted for numerous selfish reasons like sexual and labor exploitation (Laczko & Gramegna, 2003). The trafficked individuals, in terms of labor, are captivated by means of two major ways; forced labor and bonded labor. Victims of bonded labor are made to work without being paid for the order of clearing a debt they owe either the agent who facilitated the trafficking or the person they work for. The debts are usually set in a manner such that the ...