Slavery, Human Trafficking - Essay Example

? Human Trafficking of Human Trafficking The word “slavery or human trafficking” may conjure up images of African slaves shackled in leg irons abroad European ships sailing across the Atlantic Ocean over 400 years ago, but 21st Century slavery is a social phenomena that entangles and ensnares people of all races, genders, religious groups, and from countries around the world. The terms “involuntary servitude, debt bondage, and forced labor” are others names that imply some form of exploitation and the forcible detainment of another person against his or her own volition. Regardless to the name or term used human trafficking is crime, a crime against humanity and a gross violation of human rights. The United Nations stated, “Trafficking in person shall mean the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons by means of threat or use of force or other forms of coercion by abduction, of fraud, of deception, or the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability, or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person for the purpose of exploitation” (Kungaspunta, 2003; United States, 2002). The definition describes people enslaving people by using coercion and violence as a means of intimidation to gain and maintain control over the lives of others. Human trafficking is a crime, a crime against humanity, a crime against the inalienable human right of another individual, one that is detrimental to the sanctity of life and living. The crime of bartering, selling, abducting, and enticing otherwise innocent men, women and children into the activities of organized criminal syndicates is an international phenomenon of epidemic proportion. The affects of the horrific scheme that reduces human life to a marketable commodity or a piece of merchandise exists in every country and touches the lives of millions of victims. Not only are those that are subjected to the indescribable abuse victimized, but their family members, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, and children are victimized as well as a result. Because the crime is so widespread and with the appearance of multiplying with no end in sight, the discussion in this paper will examine human trafficking in general using examples of the practice from differing perspectives and various countries. As a note the United States of America is one of the top ten destinations for human trafficking with reports of over 90 US cities being involved in the hidden operations of trafficking people (Hepburn & Simon, 2010). The Social Issue of Human Trafficking Human trafficking is disguised in many forms and is an integral part of modern society affecting international economies and generates an estimated 19 billion dollars annually (CITE). Because of the very nature of human trafficking it is hard to determine the exact amount of revenue the criminal activities generate or how many people are victimized. In a report presented by Hilary Clinton, US Secretary of State an estimate of 12.3 million were victimized in the United States during 2009-2010 (Stocia, 2011, p. 122). The numbers are primarily speculative because of the basic characteristics of the clandestine activities. Hepburn and Simon (2010) reaffirm Clinton’s estimate agreeing approximately 12.3 million people are victims of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation (p. 2). Depending on the publication the figures range from 12.3 to 27 million victims worldwide. Stocia (2011) describe the complexity of trafficking in human beings to the complexity of the multiple layers of differences in society. Her analogy of human slavery is based on the socio-economic situations in the countries of origin and the co-existence of three layers or levels within the sub-culture: sexual exploitation, labor exploitation, and organ trafficking (p. 123). The most dominant segment within the industry is sexual exploitation. The following map depicts the known routes of the human traffickers: (Source: Kungaspunta, K. (2003). Mapping the inhuman trade. Forum on Crime and Society, 3(1-2)). Researchers and sociologists that study the phenomena agree that trafficking in humans is a detrimental and destructive force that threatens to destroy the fundamental integrity of society. Cochinatu, Tutunaru, Stoicu, and Valea (2011) stated, “Trafficking in human beings, a phenomenon with global dimensions constitutes a serious violation of human rights, dignity and freedom, a social phenomenon with negative consequences for the entire society” (p. 78). Trafficking in human beings and the practice of forcibly detaining another person against his or her will is a crime. In response to the alarming growth of the criminal activity and the media spotlight on human trafficking, a cooperative coalition between nations is forming that is gaining international support to find ways to eradicate the practice. The United Nations, European Union, and the Council of Europe have joined forces and pooled resources to create and implement effective policies and laws to prevent the increasing practice of human trafficking (Kungaspunta, 2003). The coalition is establishing international laws and procedures to capture and penalize those engaged in the practice of buying and selling human beings. Some of the policies will include and provide international judicial cooperation between countries with the purpose of protecting human rights of individuals globally and the intent of preserving the fundamental and foundational tenets of society. Human trafficking has existed for centuries dating back to before Africans were captured and transported to the Americas, however 21st Century or modern day slavery in comparison is a relatively young enterprise. One of the first pieces of legislation enacted was the “International Agreement for the Suppression of White Slave Traffic” in 1902. The policy was an attempt to stop prostitution and the policy was ratified by 12 countries. Subsequently, other cooperative international efforts to circumvent human traffickers and curtail the illegal activities of human traffickers have been written. President George Bush enacted the “Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003” a federal policy increasing United States police officers’ jurisdiction (H.R. 2620, 2003). The law enables United States law enforcement to prosecute people who travel outside of the United States to abuse children. One provision of the law is that there is no statute of limitation. The social issue of enslaving people for monetary gain and profits is a monstrous depraved act perpetrated against humankind. As inhuman as human trafficking is the activities make up the third largest criminal industry in the world impacting cultures, commerce, and governments. The activities that directly and indirectly contribute billions of dollars to economies worldwide. For example take for instance clothing and textile manufacturers and producers of computer/electronic parts and equipment and other labor intense production centers in the world. Another example is food growers and producers of much of the world’s food supply in which using forced labor is a means to an end. This is not to imply all manufacturers and food suppliers are involved in the illegal activity of trafficking in human beings however the presence of the criminal element is present nevertheless. There are eight different types of human trafficking or slavery: sex slaves, slave soldiers, sex tourism, organ trafficking, skin trafficking, internet criminal pedophilia, ritual torture, and labor slaves (Gemmell, 2012). Each type of slavery with its individual peculiarities and markets of opportunity are visible in communities, cities, states, and countries around the world. For instance the rapidly growing segment of human trafficking is that of children that are abducted, sold, or bartered for the sex trafficking industry. No longer are women the prime target that are forced to perform sexual acts for money, today children as young as age six are the top “commodity” that is sold, exchanged, or stolen in certain regions of the world for illicit purposes that usually involves pornographic activities. Then there are the multitude of undocumented immigrant farm workers that are unable to gain citizenship legally in the United States who are forced to work excessive hours and in many cases that are under compensated or not compensated at all for their time and labor. One of the most subtle forms of human trafficking that is “hiding in plain sight” and one quite prevalent around the world is the practice of involuntary domestic servitude (Bales & Soodalter, 2009). A form of slavery in the disguise of housekeepers, nannies, maids, and caretakers, these types of victims are generally transported from foreign countries under the pretense of gaining employment. Traffickers solicit from rural areas in undeveloped communities and countries preying on the lower socio-economic groups using deception as the lure. When in fact, those ensnared are overworked, mistreated, sexually abuses, beaten, and grossly underpaid. The practice resembles “indentured servants” people ensnared in perpetual servitude by deception that generally are forced into prostitution as the means of paying off an inflated debt obligation. Regardless to the type of slavery the practice of human trafficking is undeniably an integral part of modern day practices and society contributing billions of dollars annually to global economies. Social Categories Affected by Human Trafficking Human trafficking affects all social categories in society. The social categories of women, men, children, blacks, white, Hispanics, Asian, Europeans, Americans, and individuals in the lower socio-economic categories are all potential victims. Hepburn and Simon (2010) stated that “Women and girls make up approximately 56% of those enslaved with men and boys comprising roughly 44%” (p. 2). Traffickers use the lure of a better life and the opportunity to improve economic and social standing as a means of enticement. The exploitation of women in under developed third world countries are a constant source of new victims. In the segment of sexual exploitation women comprise 98% of those forced to engage in forced labor with males making up the remaining 2%. However in analyzing the numbers the growing population of victims is children who make up approximately 40-50% of all those enslaved as forced labor (p. 2). One category not typically thought of as a group of potential victims are those with physical disabilities or handicaps. Victims with physical handicaps generally are recruited or purchased to panhandle or beg, and steal merchandise and goods for traffickers. Stocia (2011) indicated the category of infants and young children is increasingly becoming the group most sought by human traffickers. Hepburn and Simon (2010) indicated that at any given time more than 12.3 million people are victimized by traffickers. Changes to Society as a Result The changes to society as a result of human trafficking are far reaching affecting individual victims and society as a whole; as with any destructive destroying invasive force it weakens the social structure, cheapens human life, and creates an atmosphere of fear. Slavery in all forms dynamically invokes sociological, psychological, and physical changes. From the individual’s perspective they endure extreme and in most cases severe physical harm from abuse and exposure to disease, subsequently the physical development of the individuals are impaired. Due to a significant percentage of those enslaved being sexually exploited exposure to sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS is a constant threat. Individuals suffer psychological damage and destruction of potential opportunities to live socially recognized lives free from abuse and violence. Society is victimized as well because of human trafficking. The family nucleus is destroyed by the absence of key family members as a result the social structure of communities is altered. The cultural and spiritual practices are no longer passed on due to the absences. Children in society are twice victimized being left when caregivers are taken and when children are illegally abducted themselves. The cycle of loss continues and is perpetrated by human trafficking because of the loss of educational, vocational, and opportunities which in terms affect the quality of the future workforce which disables communities and countries prospects from gaining economic sustainability. Eradicating the world of forced labor and those that use exploitation as a means of control is virtually impossible to do so and would require eliminating poverty, hunger, instituting prostitution as a legally recognized profession, and removing unethical leaders and politicians from positions of authority and power. The efforts would be monumental to police and micro-manage the entire world’s activities. In essence completely eliminating human trafficking is an impossibility and not likely something to happen in the foreseeable future. Recommendations Human trafficking is a toxic practice that is increasingly destroying the fiber of society and destroying the lives of millions of people in countries worldwide. Considering possible recommendations or ways to curtail and reduce trafficking activities would require international support and cooperation. Because human trafficking affects countries around the world, one recommendation is to continue to unite nations internationally that are affected by the illegal activities. By developing laws and strategies to increase governmental and law enforcement’s presence in areas known for such activities and establishing judicial governance that extends across geographical boundaries potentially could circumvent some of the activity. A second recommendation is to increase community awareness of the threat of human trafficking through talks, rallies, and community events. The events would inform and create ongoing exchanges or channels of dialogue regarding events and incidents happening in communities with the purpose of making individuals aware of possible dangers. Additionally the discussions could equip children with knowledge as well making them aware of the dangers of human trafficking could possible reduce the number of children abducted. However because of the economic impact of human trafficking finding solutions to prevent and eradicate the illegal activities are unlikely. Hepburn and Simon (2010) estimated the annual profit generated from human slavery is roughly 44.3 billion dollars worldwide. The proceeds from the sales and services of human beings help support and sustain markets, economies, commerce, and other segments of society. Sociological Research Methods The nature of human trafficking makes it challenging and difficult to approach the study using orthodox research methodologies. Because of the clandestine ways the business is operated qualitative research methods would be the most insightful and revealing about the criminal activities. The task of collecting quantitative statistical data such as the number of people victimized or the amount of money generated by the enterprise of human trafficking would be virtually impossible. The use of qualitative research methods could reveal the profiles of the types of individuals targeted by perpetrators as well as some of the tactics perpetrators use to abduct and ensnare individuals. In the cases that victims escape or are rescued using one-on-one interviews and narrative methods of recounting their experiences would be helpful in gaining some insight into the inner workings and structure of the syndicated criminal organizations that prey on the innocent. By gaining insight as to how the organizations are structured, possible international locations and routes used in the process of ensnaring people could potential yield information to prevent future abductions and possibly save lives. Conclusion Overall, human trafficking is a horrific offense and betrayal against humankind. Because human trafficking is an international phenomenon developing effective programs and procedures must be an international effort. In order to prevent the furtherance and reduce the criminal activities associated with trafficking in humans the removal of the divides within communities and between countries must first occur. Theoretically though eradicating 21st Century slavery will not happen primarily because the proceeds and profits from forced labor is what propel the economies of the world. It is money generated from human trafficking that sustains businesses, industries, and commerce in other segments of society. One point not elaborated on in this paper is that of individuals that willing choose to engage and participate in activities such as prostitution as a viable means of support or employment. The offense is in those cases in which individuals are forced to participate and societies most vulnerable the young, weak, and handicapped are preyed upon and victimized. References Bales, K., & Soodalter, R. (2009). The slave next door: Human trafficking and slavery in America today. Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press. Cochintu, I., Tutunaru, L., Stoicu, N., & Valea, D. (2011). International cooperation against human trafficking. Juridical Current, 14(2), 78-86 Gemmell, N. A. (2012). The effects of modern day slavery on the global economy. Retrieved from http://www8.georgetown.edu/centers/cndls/applications/postertool/index.cfm?fuseaction =poster.display&posterID=1752. Hepburn, S., & Simon, R. (2010). Hidden in plain sight: Human trafficking in the United States. Gender Issues, 27(1/2), 1-26. doi: 10.1007/s12147-010-9087-7 House of Representative, 2620 108th Cong. Rec. 10967. Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003. (2003) (enacted) Kungaspunta, K. (2003). Mapping the inhuman trade: Preliminary findings on the human trafficking database. Forum on Crime and Society, 3(1-2). Stoica, A. (2011). Again about the trafficking in human beings. Juridical Current, 14(2), 121-131. Read More