"prostitution" one of the Ugly Truths Behind Human Trafficking

"Prostitution" One of the Ugly Truths Behind Human Trafficking

INTRODUCTION

One of the leading problems in the world today is human trafficking. Human trafficking is defined as the "recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons by means of the threat, use of force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse or exploitation." This type of transporting, holding, and forcing people into servitude is considered a modern type of slavery. Many thought that this word "slavery", had been abolished over 150 years ago but it is very much alive in our world today. There are other nations that have eradicated slavery as a state-sanctioned practice, but human trafficking has emerged as a "modern form of human slavery." "It is a growing global threat to the lives and freedom of millions of men, women, and children." Human trafficking often people who are a part of organized crime groups whose number one agenda is to money at the cost of trafficking men, women, and children. Trafficking is broken down into many different aspects, each one more repulsive than the next.

Each type of human trafficking exploits men, women, and children. Human trafficking has the following types: sexual exploitation, child soldiers, organ harvesting, and forced labor. More than half of the victims used in trafficking are used for sexual exploitation, prostitution or as sex slaves. Children are forced to fight and given weapons to use in war torn areas. Victims of organ harvesting are forced to give up their hearts or livers which are eventually sold on the black market. Forced labor victims are traditional slaves that are held captive and put to work as indentured servants, in sweatshops, or on farms.

Traffickers have many methods to get their victims to perform their bidding.

Many of them are forced into trafficking and do not have a way out. Some are kidnapped or taken by force from their homes. A number of them are tricked by traffickers and promised a better life. Another method is that traffickers go to poor and desperate families and persuade them to sell their children into trafficking. Finally, a majority of them are coerced into human trafficking by way of threats, lies, or violence.

There are numerous reasons why human trafficking has come to be such a problem in today's society. For instance, greed is the number one reason that human trafficking exists. Traffickers partake in trafficking networks because it is a profitable enterprise. Human trafficking has increased enormously in years because of the trafficker's willingness to exploit people for profit. It has become the 3rd largest criminal activity in the world following drug and weapons trafficking.

Economic hardship is another issue that keeps human trafficking alive. Having poverty stricken and despaired people keeps traffickers in work. Children and destitute women are major targets for traffickers. Many of these women and children are desperate for any opportunity to escape the misery that accompanies extreme insolvency. As you would expect, human trafficking is a huge problem in countries where the government does not have support programs for the poor.

Unstable countries are a prime target area for human trafficking. Countries that are destabilized keep traffickers in business. Events that keep these areas unstable are corrupted governments, corrupted societies, government instabilities, wars, criminal activities, and natural disasters. Each event makes it easier for traffickers to claim their victims and increase their profits.

This report will concentrate on one type of human trafficking, prostitution. Prostitution is one of the most leading problems in many countries. With the rising problem of prostitution and sex trade many questions come to mind in relations to the United States and this growing problem:

● Is the United States in some ways implicated in promoting HT?

● If so, does our government acknowledge our complicity, and if so, what is the United States doing to deter HT by Americans or to help other countries/organizations combat HT?

● What can the United States and its' citizens do about HT?

To help answer these questions, this report will look at information collected from the internet.

COLLECTED DATA

The Business of Prostitution and Sexual Exploitation

Among the many types of human trafficking, prostitution is the number problem that the United States faces within it own borders. More than half of the women, and children brought into the U.S. through trafficking are sexually exploited. They are forced into prostitution and slave labor by human traffickers.

The Perpetrators. Traffickers belong to a criminal underworld. Some are deeply involved in organized crime and some are petty criminals or freelancers. Freelance operators earn money by forging passports and other official documents, providing transportation and/or connections, etc. International crime syndicates rely on vast criminal networks made up of forgers, providers, extortionists, financiers, corrupt travel agencies, corrupt officials, and brothel operators. These slave traders prey on those that are vulnerable; mainly children and young women. They target them and use ploys that win their confidence and trust.

Process of Persuasion. Traffickers use many means of persuasion to get their victims into trafficking. Sometimes they promise them marriage, employment, educational opportunities, or a better life.

1. Lies- traffickers assert and maintain power over their victims by lying to them about future employment and travel opportunities, living conditions and treatment.

2. False promises- victims are typically promised valid immigration and travel documents only to find that said documents are later held back.

3. Threats- traffickers suppress resistance with threats of harm to the victim and/or the victim's family.

4. Violence-

Additionally, perpetrators attack and/or rape their victims. In some cases, attacks are targeted at the victim's family as well.

To protect themselves, traffickers often move victims around among a circuit of workplaces and coach them on what to say to police. Sometimes the victims are also