Human Trafficking
A topic that does not get discussed a lot about is Human trafficking. I decided to write about this topic to bring awareness of the dangers it has to the people in my community. Human trafficking is defined as people engaging in selling people for sex, labor, and/or both. It goes by many names that might be known such as "modern slavery", "trafficking of persons", or "human trafficking." It is an ct of buying or selling people in the black market. Mainly women and children are sold and used for sexual exploitation. As for men that are trafficked they are used for labor. There is no specific race or ethnicity that is mainly trafficked, it can happen to anyone of color, race, and/or race.This is an act of terror and must be put to an end.
Why does it occur?
Human trafficking is used to exploit people for different purposes. Mostly women are used sexual exploitation. Other uses of this exploitation is domestic servitude. Which uses people from a different country and controlling them to clean up after their house. In addition, people are used in the trafficking system for organ removal, forced marriage, sex trade, war fare, and children that are used to beg.
There are many factors that contribute to the trafficking. People living in poverty, lack of education access, and little amount of job opportunities.
The demand of people is a high reward with a low risk. This is because there is no legal action to punish the people who partake in these acts.
Where does it occur?
Most continents on this world participate in modern day slavery. People living in poverty are at risk being trafficked.This happens because people in poverty are persuaded by these traffickers for a better job opportunity and later being taken because of lack of knowledge. It is shocking to find out that some states in the United States partake in this awful act. Some states like Florida, New York, Texas, and even California! Research has stated that California is one of the largest state that is involved with trafficking. In 2016 there were about 1,331 cases that had occurred just in California. Majority of these cases were sex exploitation, others were involved in labor and others not known.
Why does it occur?
Human trafficking is used to exploit people for different purposes. Mostly women are used sexual exploitation. Other uses of this exploitation is domestic servitude. Which uses people from a different country and controlling them to clean up after their house. In addition, people are used in the trafficking system for organ removal, forced marriage, sex trade, war fare, and children that are used to beg.
There are many factors that contribute to the trafficking. People living in poverty, lack of education access, and little amount of job opportunities.
The demand of people is a high reward with a low risk. This is because there is no legal action to punish the people who partake in these acts.
Where does it occur?
Most continents on this world participate in modern day slavery. People living in poverty are at risk being trafficked.This happens because people in poverty are persuaded by these traffickers for a better job opportunity and later being taken because of lack of knowledge. It is shocking to find out that some states in the United States partake in this awful act. Some states like Florida, New York, Texas, and even California! Research has stated that California is one of the largest state that is involved with trafficking. In 2016 there were about 1,331 cases that had occurred just in California. Majority of these cases were sex exploitation, others were involved in labor and others not known.
Statements from my community
Stephanie thoughts on the topic: "Human trafficking is probably one of my biggest fears. I've heard many stories of normal day to day who dropped their guard for just one minute and did not make back to their regular lives after being trafficked. The crazy part is most of the people are never found again! I feel there should be more being done to prevent and protect people. There needs to be more work forces trying to catch the main organizers of human trafficking."
Angel Q. thoughts on the topic: "As a male I think it is difficult to exert my feelings towards human trafficking because we don't experience the same thing as a female. But from a females perspective I think it must be an uncomfortable subject to think about. Females always have to worry about dealing with uncomfortable situations everyday such as random guys staring and trying to talk to them or even trying to get their contact information. I live by a metro station where men were targeting women and children. Having to see and live next to this was surreal. As a male in my community it is a terrible thought because it could happen to my mom or my sister and I wouldn't have to think twice because I am a male."
Megan thoughts on the topic: "I think human trafficking is an ongoing issue not only in the U.S but all over the world. In my opinion, I think this has been going on for a very long time, but the government and state officials choose to ignore it or not address it. I've heard that it's happening more openly and frequently. It's mainly girls who these people are after and girls have been approached now in parking lots or malls. The girls who are being targeted are young girls and from my understanding, are being drugged and raped by hundreds; if not by thousands of men a day. It's a very sad situation for these girls because they are being robbed of their childhood. It not only makes me sad and angry, but disappointed that our country is aware of the ongoing issue but has done nothing to prevent this from occurring.
Surviving Victims of Human Trafficking:
People that have survived or escaped the life of horror have mental health problems. These victims deal with mental disorders and psychological illness. These illness include depression, anxiety, substance abuse, panic disorders, suicidal thoughts, post-traumatic stress disorder, and Stockholm syndrome. The most common side effect is the Stockholm syndrome. This is a syndrome where the victims feel hard to leave the abuser. They fear the abuser will harm them or worse being killed. Also they tend to depend on the abuser for security, shelter, food, and clothing.
Bringing Awareness:
People in our society need to be aware of this issue because no one deserves to taken from their family or even put through such madness that has major mental and emotional effects. People are now involved in social media and that is one way we can prevent or bringing awareness of people in our community. A simple post to watch out for signs if you are being targeted by traffickers to be on alert. Or even putting up a flyer in school campuses or public places that allow it. Spreading the word can help save lives. And it starts with us.
Asking for help:
If you may know someone who is need of help don't be afraid to ask for help.
The Human Trafficking hot line is 1(888) 373-7888.
They are available 24/7 for assistance.
Their website is https://humantraffickinghotline.org
References
Stephanie thoughts on the topic: "Human trafficking is probably one of my biggest fears. I've heard many stories of normal day to day who dropped their guard for just one minute and did not make back to their regular lives after being trafficked. The crazy part is most of the people are never found again! I feel there should be more being done to prevent and protect people. There needs to be more work forces trying to catch the main organizers of human trafficking."
Angel Q. thoughts on the topic: "As a male I think it is difficult to exert my feelings towards human trafficking because we don't experience the same thing as a female. But from a females perspective I think it must be an uncomfortable subject to think about. Females always have to worry about dealing with uncomfortable situations everyday such as random guys staring and trying to talk to them or even trying to get their contact information. I live by a metro station where men were targeting women and children. Having to see and live next to this was surreal. As a male in my community it is a terrible thought because it could happen to my mom or my sister and I wouldn't have to think twice because I am a male."
Megan thoughts on the topic: "I think human trafficking is an ongoing issue not only in the U.S but all over the world. In my opinion, I think this has been going on for a very long time, but the government and state officials choose to ignore it or not address it. I've heard that it's happening more openly and frequently. It's mainly girls who these people are after and girls have been approached now in parking lots or malls. The girls who are being targeted are young girls and from my understanding, are being drugged and raped by hundreds; if not by thousands of men a day. It's a very sad situation for these girls because they are being robbed of their childhood. It not only makes me sad and angry, but disappointed that our country is aware of the ongoing issue but has done nothing to prevent this from occurring.
Surviving Victims of Human Trafficking:
People that have survived or escaped the life of horror have mental health problems. These victims deal with mental disorders and psychological illness. These illness include depression, anxiety, substance abuse, panic disorders, suicidal thoughts, post-traumatic stress disorder, and Stockholm syndrome. The most common side effect is the Stockholm syndrome. This is a syndrome where the victims feel hard to leave the abuser. They fear the abuser will harm them or worse being killed. Also they tend to depend on the abuser for security, shelter, food, and clothing.
Bringing Awareness:
People in our society need to be aware of this issue because no one deserves to taken from their family or even put through such madness that has major mental and emotional effects. People are now involved in social media and that is one way we can prevent or bringing awareness of people in our community. A simple post to watch out for signs if you are being targeted by traffickers to be on alert. Or even putting up a flyer in school campuses or public places that allow it. Spreading the word can help save lives. And it starts with us.
Asking for help:
If you may know someone who is need of help don't be afraid to ask for help.
The Human Trafficking hot line is 1(888) 373-7888.
They are available 24/7 for assistance.
Their website is https://humantraffickinghotline.org
References
Becerra, X. (2017, September 27). What is Human Trafficking? Retrieved October 30, 2019, from https://oag.ca.gov/human-trafficking/what-is.
Hampton, T.-L. (2019, February 4). Sex Trafficking: impact on victim's mental & physical health. Retrieved October 30, 2019, from https://medium.com/spartan-writers/sex-trafficking-impact-on- victims-mental-physical-health-f74e1dd61df2.
How Trafficking Exists Today. (2016, January 6). Retrieved October 30, 2019, from https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/how-trafficking-exists-today/29715.
Rlemke, R. K. (2019, October 2). 7 Things You May Not Know About Human Trafficking, And 3 Ways To Help. Retrieved October 30, 2019, from https://www.crs.org/stories/stop-human- trafficking.
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