The Horrors of Human Trafficking

The Horrors of Human Trafficking

According to the U.S.Government, “Approximately 600,000 to 800,000 victims are trafficked across international borders annually, and between 14,500 and 17,500 of those victims are trafficked into the United States each year. More than half of these victims worldwide are children.” (Department of Homeland Security-Human Trafficking) That is a staggering amount of people being held captive in such a horrible world. Human trafficking is a modern form of slavery. It is non discriminant. All races,ages,men and women are subjected to this horrible act. There are many ways that the innocent people become victims. Most are forced into human trafficking. There are countless numbers of people kidnapped every year, never to be heard of again. Many of these people are sent to foreign countries and forced into the sex industry.

There are many ways that the captors lure children into the United States. Some believe they are being given an opportunity that they otherwise wouldn't have. Many times, they already live in horrid conditions or come from a household with a history of abuse. Other times,they are led to believe that they will be reunited with family here, or to work in a legitimate job, or attend school. They can also be threatened with physical harm or harm to their family members.

Others are coerced into human trafficking by “pimps”, promising them many things, but in the end, never delivering and often destroying their lives. Many of these that are forced into prostitution are compensated poorly,if at all. They also confiscate any documents or passports a victim might have as another way to keep them trapped. Others are forced into the sex tourism industry. Sex tourism is defined by the CDC as “travel planned specifically for the purpose of sex, generally to a country where prostitution is legal.”(2013) Current evidence strongly suggests that those who are trafficked into the sex industry and as domestic servants are more likely to be women and children. Even thought the age of consent may vary from country to country, it is still against federal law and the individual can be prosecuted once they return to the United States for engaging in sex or pornographic activities with a minor. It is also against federal law to travel to another country for the purpose of having sex with a minor.

Today's technology and websites such as Craigslist.org and Backpage.com made it easy for the “pimp” to promote his underage “goods” in the Erotic and Adult Services section of the websites. There are numerous cases of busts involving underage children. In 2010, Craigslist removed the erotic section from its United States website after constant pressure from various states' attorney generals “as violent crimes involving people who had made contact through the site made national headlines.” (www.nytimes.com, 2009)

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