The Horror of Human Trafficking
by Human trafficking exists all over the world, including North America. What can you do to help eliminate the horrors that trafficked people go through?
Human trafficking is modern day slavery, where people are bought, sold, used, abused, tormented, and often killed. The sex industry is probably the most widely known form of trafficking, but it is often overlooked that trafficking occurs in many other types of industries. Trafficking can be the buying and selling of people to perform domestic duties without pay, to pay off debts, or to perform any other type of labor without pay or recognition.
Here are some facts about human trafficking:
Who is Trafficked?
About 70% of people trafficked are women, and approximately 50% are children.
These women and children can be trafficked for the purpose of performing sexual acts, taking on domestic duties, being married off when still underage, et cetera. Many women only survive a few years of being trafficked.
Human Trafficking is a Multi-Billion Dollar Industry
It is suspected that trafficking makes over 10 billion dollars annually. This puts human trafficking third for illegal monetary gain, next to drugs and arms dealing.
Trafficking Happens Everywhere
People often don’t believe or don’t realize that human trafficking occurs in first-world countries. International trafficking is huge, ranging at nearly one million people per year. In the United States, about 200 000 children will be trafficked in the sex industry per year. The 200 000 children doesn’t even include adult men and women.
How People Become Trafficked
Many people fall into a trap of being promised a great job with great opportunities. This method is especially effective for people who live in poverty. These people are tricked and forced into a situation that they cannot escape. Kidnapping is also a very common method of taking people for human trafficking, whether it be the kidnapping of young tourists or the nabbing of children.
What Can You Do?
The battle against human trafficking is ongoing all throughout the world. The Salvation Army plays a huge part in this war, specifically targeting the Philippines. There are many causes to pressure the government to make the eradication of human trafficking a priority.
As a regular citizen of your country, you can become involved in the fight against human trafficking. Some ways to get involved are:
Wear Orange
Orange is the colour of freedom. Anything from wearing a patch on your clothing to wearing an orange bracelet or bandanna will show your support in ending modern day slavery.
Support Petitions to the Government
There are many petitions out there to make the eradication of human trafficking a priority. These can often be found online, even through Facebook applications. A link for this will be posted at the end.
Help the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has an ongoing program to assist the victims of human trafficking, specifically in the Philippines. Support your local Salvation Army.
Assist in Women’s Crisis Centers
These centers do more than just support women who have been trafficked, but it is definitely a safe haven for victims of all kinds.
Educate People
Educate your children, family, friends, et cetera in the concept of human trafficking. The more educated people are, the more support can be given to abolish trafficking. Education is one of the strongest tools that people have, but it can only be used if it is possessed and shared. Making people aware can also prevent many cases of kidnapping and falling into the trap of becoming trafficked.
If You Suspect a Case of Human Trafficking…
Contact the authorities immediately! If you suspect anyone of being held against his/her will, of being sold and used, or any other suspicious type of activity, help them. It’s so easy for people to turn a blind eye, but remember that this person could be your brother, daughter, sister… Keep this thought in mind.
The following sites are helpful in gaining more information about human trafficking:
http://www.youthnoise.com/MyCauseIs/?cause_id=79&a=index http://www.amnestyusa.org/violence-against-women/end-human-trafficking/page.do?id=1108428
http://youthnoise.com/page.php?page_id=2690 (statistics above taken from this page)
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/petitions/27?m=66d429cd (a petition on Facebook made by the cause, http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/)
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Post CommentS A JOHNSON
On February 9, 2009 at 6:20 am
wow great article, I definitely learned some new information on this topic.
Sharona
On February 9, 2009 at 7:16 am
Very informative. Thank you for thinking of people who seem to be lost in our system.
Ristifer
On February 9, 2009 at 9:21 am
Great article. I saw you write this one too! Glad they kept those links in there. This is one of those topics that you know exists, but you don’t truly know how widespread it is until you educate yourself.
Good job!
Kate Smedley
On February 9, 2009 at 11:27 am
It is so shocking and sad that this goes on. Thanks for this article and for ways in which we can help.
rutherfranc
On February 9, 2009 at 2:40 pm
getting this article posted in an orange background really stressed your point.. we should not only be observers, but active soldiers on this war.. nice of you to provide the links at the end..
Lee Altman
On February 9, 2009 at 3:07 pm
great article
Joni Keith
On February 9, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Thank you for sharing this information. As you pointed out, education is key in stopping trafficking. You did an excellent job presenting the facts in this article.
S.Air
On February 9, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Those stats are shocking. Great article.
Ruby Hawk
On February 9, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Terrible, I read in the paper about girls who worked in a strip club in Atlanta. They were kept locked inside and only let out to work without wages. What surprised me was the girls didn’t want to be rescued.They were sent home anyway.
R J Evans
On February 10, 2009 at 1:10 am
Excellent article – it is amazing to think that in this day and age something tantamount to slavery exists – and it is under our noses.
nutuba
On February 10, 2009 at 6:26 am
This is eye opening and is a very well written article! It’s shocking that this is going on at this magnitude.
lindalulu
On February 10, 2009 at 7:31 am
Wonderful article, and crazy to think in this day and age all of this is still happening.
Lauren
On February 10, 2009 at 8:39 am
Thank you for sharing this. Very important.
Mr Ghaz
On February 11, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Bravo! well-written piece and very informative article.Must read. Well done and thanks for sharing
Sakuragi
On February 14, 2009 at 8:13 am
Does anyone think the U.S. government may be involed in this kind of activity? Read The Franklin Coverup by former Nebraska senator John DeCamp.
Bo Russo
On February 22, 2009 at 1:29 am
I didn’t know this was such a huge industry.