Human Trafficking: A Modern Day Tragedy

Any American who follows the issue of human trafficking with a passing concern will immediately think of countries like Bosnia, Kosovo, Thailand, or Columbia. But the United States does not immediately come to mind. The thought, to be fair, is at once horrifying to imagine and impossible to believe. The fact is the United States is a large hub for the trafficking of persons, both into and out of this country. To begin with, what is human trafficking? The following is an excerpt from a United Nations press release by Ms. Sigma Huda, U.N. Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, made on November 12, 2006:

"In simplifying an internationally accepted definition of human trafficking, one can say that a person is trafficked if he, or more typically, she is brought into a situation of economic or sexual exploitation - including prostitution - by force, coercion, abduction, fraud or deception. I would like to clarify that a person can be trafficked across an international border even if he or she holds a valid visa. There can also be human trafficking within one and the same country."

As is often the case, trafficking in persons involves not only exploitation for sex, but also for domestic servitude, migrant farm work, and other areas where an individual is forced to labor for little or no wages. Not only do people become victims by force, but also through other tactics like coercion and deception. Those who face deep poverty are promised jobs with good wages and benefits, only to find that there was never any intent on the part of the perpetrators to provide these. Trafficking is a modern day slavery. Perhaps most tragic are young girls and women who are forced into prostitution or sold to sadistic individuals who use them for sexual torture and rape.

The U.S. Justice Department estimates that approximately 800,000 people are trafficked each year. Of that, between 18,000 and 20,000 enter the United States. California is the largest destination with Florida right behind. Since most cases are unknown, it is difficult to estimate accurately. It is possible that those numbers may be even higher. Some human rights organizations place estimates as high as 50,000. While many inter-agency partnerships have been created to combat human trafficking, there is still much work to be done. The Justice Department has taken a lead in being proactive in the creation of an anti-trafficking unit within the Department's Civil Rights Division. The State Department annually releases a Human Trafficking Report. However, critics, such as Human Rights Watch and other NGO's, have pointed out that the State Department report is often too politicized to be a useful tool.

In addition to work at the Federal level, many state and local governments and agencies have begun to create task forces aimed at combating human trafficking. These task forces bring together state and local law enforcement agencies, health care agencies, legal groups, and community advocacy groups. Through education and awareness, the horror of trafficking in persons can be undone. In the past, many young girls and women who were considered "prostitutes" were castigated and treated as criminals. One unfortunate reality is that many young girls and women forced into prostitution or sexual subjugation within the United States do not come from foreign countries. We have to be aware that these victims can, and often are, picked up within our own communities and transported or sold to other areas of the country.

Victims of trafficking are often afraid to approach anyone about their situation. Usually, they are threatened with death or beatings if they speak to anyone. In addition, severe mental trauma or humiliation may lead to loss of self-esteem. The effect is that these victims develop a feeling of little self-worth. Only by becoming educated, being aware, and maintaining diligence can we as a society protect these most vulnerable of individuals. Only by joining together can we overcome this modern day tragedy.