Human trafficking has existed since pre-modern times. The European slave trade, which began in the 1400s, is one of the first instances of organized human trafficking and the practice has continued to the present day (“Timeline of Human Trafficking”). A more recent example of the atrocity of human trafficking occurred during World War II when Japan established “comfort stations” for their soldiers. These “comfort stations” were essentially military-controlled brothels where young women (mostly Korean) who had been kidnapped were forced to work as prostitutes for Japanese soldiers (“Timeline of Human Trafficking”). This example perfectly describes the horrendousness of human trafficking where people are removed from their situation and forced to work for the benefit and profit of another person or entity. Human trafficking is the forceful control and exploitation of a person through forced manual or sexual labor (“What Is Human Trafficking”). Human trafficking is a global problem and every government has a responsibility to its citizens to attempt to eliminate this horrible violation of human rights. In order to begin eradicating human trafficking, governments need to raise awareness among their citizens, identify and inform potential victims with an emphasis on early identification, and establish a standard punishment for human traffickers.
Raising awareness about the seriousness and widespread instances of human trafficking among citizens is the first step to solving the problem. Many people think that slavery no longer exists and do not understand that human trafficking is essentially modern-day slavery. The United Nations has attempted to increase awareness through their focus on the issue and their efforts with the Blue Heart Campaign Against Human Trafficking (“Human Trafficking”). Despite their efforts however, human trafficking has continued to be one of the fastest growing industries in the world and produces billions of dollars in profits each year (“Human Trafficking Prevention”). Making people aware of common situations that indicate a person is a victim of human trafficking can help identify and save these victims. For example, if an individual has no identification, bank account or cash, their movements are constantly monitored, or they have no contact with their family and friends they may be a victim of human trafficking. Another indication is workplaces or living spaces that are abnormal—inhuman conditions, locks and fences that keep the occupants confined, or controlling and restrictive supervisors are some indicators that the person is not in control of their own life (“Human Trafficking Prevention”). If governments would make citizens aware that these abnormal conditions are signs of human trafficking, law enforcement agencies would be better informed and more efficient at stopping those who work in human trafficking.
Another way governments can stop human trafficking is by identifying potential victims. Studies show that the people most susceptible to human trafficking are homeless, runaways, minors, mentally challenged, non-educated, those in desperate economic situations, and certain immigrant populations who have little experience with legal systems (“Human Trafficking Prevention”). Knowing that those who fall into these categories are most susceptible, governments need to develop outreach and educational programs that explain the horrors of human trafficking as well as inform these people on how to identify those who work in the trade. Governments should also inform potential victims on the methods that traffickers use. Research shows that “victims of trafficking are often duped by a recruiter who is a relative, a supposed friend, or someone they can trust. Traffickers and victims often share the same nationality. In some parts of the world, female traffickers are selected to recruit women” (“Prevention”). In the same way that information is key to raising awareness to identify victims, educating potential victims and stopping human trafficking before it starts is vital to eliminating the practice.
The final step in eradicating human trafficking is harsh punishment for those who are convicted. This punishment needs to be standardized within governments. In the United States, every state has different laws and punishments for convicted traffickers, laws that are often different from and less harsh than the federal law. United States federal law carries a fifteen year to life sentence for convicted traffickers. Federal law takes into consideration the age of the victim, coercion and kidnapping, and sexual abuse when deciding the sentence. However Nevada state law is not as harsh—if convicted, a trafficker can face from one to twenty years in prison. While twenty years is long time, it is the maximum sentence and only five years longer than the minimum federal sentence (“Nevada ‘Human Trafficking Laws’”). Standardizing punishments and making them harsher could possibly serve as a deterrent for traffickers who choose to operate in a certain state because of lax laws. In addition to a deterrent, maximum prison sentences are a fitting punishment for those who engage in human trafficking.
The violence, threats, deception, and manipulation that is used to trap victims of human trafficking in a life of sexual and labor exploitation is a deplorable but increasingly common occurrence in the modern world. The loss of freedom and misery that victims have to endure lasts a lifetime, even if they are lucky enough to escape their bondage. The International Labor Organization has estimated that 20.9 million victims of human trafficking exist globally. Of this 20.9 million victims, 5.5 million are children of these and 55% are women and girls (“Human Trafficking”). This is deplorable and governments and international organizations have a responsibility to eliminate human trafficking. By educating citizens to help identify victims, educating at-risk populations on the danger they endure as potential victims, and standardizing and increasing punishments for traffickers, government can begin to protect their citizens from the horrible crime of human trafficking.
References
“Human Trafficking.” (2014). United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/what-is-human-trafficking.html
“Human Trafficking.” (2014). Polaris. Retrieved from http://www.polarisproject.org/human-trafficking/overview
“Human Trafficking Prevention: Help us Identify Potential Victims.” (2012). The Federal Bureau of Investigation. Retrieved from http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2012/january/trafficking_012012/trafficking_012012.
Nevada ‘Human Trafficking’ Laws (NRS 200.467; NRS 200.468) Explained by Las Vegas Criminal Defense Attorneys.” Las Vegas Defense Group. Retrieved from http://www.shouselaw.com/nevada/human-trafficking.html
“Prevention.” (2014). United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/prevention.html
“What is Human Trafficking?” (2014). State of California Department of Justice Office of the Attorney General. Retrieved from http://oag.ca.gov/human-trafficking/what-is
Yong, Patricia. (2011). “Timeline of Human Trafficking.” Rutgers University Campus Coalition Against Trafficking. Retrieved from http://www.eden.rutgers.edu/~yongpatr/425/final/timeline.htm.
