Human Trafficking

Almost everyone around the world is well versed with the term Human trafficking. Human trafficking is the illegal transportation of people for slavery. Force and deception are the techniques to push somebody into this. Many people are either kidnapped or given false hopes and are pushed into this darkness. Slavery, labor, or sexual exploitation are the methods. Furthermore, purpose is  financial benefits. Human trafficking victims are of all age groups and gender. This crime has not left anybody untouched. Furthermore, it is a crime that is prevailing globally. Approximately, 20,000 to 50,000 people are trafficked in the U.S. every year, with victims are destined for the sex trade. Globally, 1,000,000 people trafficked. 

History

Human trafficking and slavery are ancient practices. It might come to you as a surprise that human trafficking prevailed in many civilizations and proud empires all around the world. It is as old as the Sumer, the earliest known civilization of Mesopotamia, on earth. Other civilizations in which slavery prevailed were ancient China, ancient India, ancient Egypt, the Roman empire, the Caliphate and Sultanate of Arabs, pre-Columbian civilizations of America, and many more. The main causes of slavery practice were mostly punishment of a crime, debt-slavery, child abandonment, or prisoner of war enslavement. Also, it was a rule that children of slaves will also do slavery. Sales of slaves were done in the marketplace. 

Types

As old is as this practice, there are different types of human trafficking for different purposes. The most common type of human trafficking is sex trading. Males, females, and children of all age groups are sold and smuggled around the world. Sex trade estimates over 58 percent from all kinds of human trades. Forced prostitution is existing for thousands of years and is still very prevalent. Victims of this trade are subjected to inhuman and fatal conditions. HIV/AIDS is one of them. Also, it is a ritual to repay for the sins done by family members, in many countries. Girls are common victims of this ritual.

Forced labor is another evil prevailing. It has existed since the beginning of the human race. There are different types of forced labor. The most common and age-old forced labor is debt bondage. Victims of forced labor are seen working in homes, restaurants, construction buildings, and shops. Moreover, the non-sex laborers are mostly working as domestic help in America. Children are the most common victim of forced labor. In the pretext of providing better lives, they are trapped and exploited.   

Causes

There are various causes of human trafficking. One of the main causes is poverty. Victims are the people looking for a better life for their families and themselves. Therefore, deceiving them is the easiest. All they want is to provide their family with basic needs and comfortable lives. Therefore the traffickers get a chance to trap these innocent people and take advantage of their situation. Hence, these traffickers buy  people or they take them for slavery. Poverty is also the reason for people becoming traffickers.

Demand for cheap labor is another cause. Cheap labor is a popular demand in countries all over the world. Hence, becoming bait for traffickers to push people into it. Cheap labor or free labor provides large profits to the companies selling products and services. Lack of education becomes another cause for human trafficking. Lack of education is the reason for unknowing the laws and rights. Hence, they become more vulnerable. Also, it decreases the opportunities for a living wage and makes people choose this path. 

Legal Actions

Though human trafficking is ancient, the idea to stop this evil did not emerge before the mid-90s. The issued was raised along with the public awareness issue. The step was to convince the governments that human trafficking is a problem with help of stakeholders An anti-trafficking rhetoric gained momentum. It was an effort so that it crossed political and ideological lines. The U.S. Congress passed The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) in the year 2000. The main goal of this act is to provide assistance and protection to these victims. TVPA seeks to be successful with its three strategies being prosecution, protection, and prevention. The primary U.S. agency charged with monitoring human trafficking is The State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

Human trafficking is a crime that puts all humanity to shame. International support and cooperation is the solution for eradication of this crime. As said by Jacky Rosen,” Human trafficking is a communitywide problem, and as such, requires communitywide solutions”. According to the International Laborer Organization report in 2014, revenue generated by human trafficking and specifically through forced labor is approximately $ 150 billion annual profit

Human trafficking is a crime and evil which can be fought and eradicated by creating awareness and support. As a citizen be aware of your surroundings. If you see any child working as domestic help in someone’s house or a restaurant or a shop, inform the police. This little step can help a victim get freedom from this dark world. Moreover, become the voice of those who cannot voice their miseries. Also, adults can consider becoming foster parents to such children. Together we can bring the change, it requires one step to do so. 

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