Sex and human trafficking
Abstract
In a world full of criminal activities, sex and human trafficking are modern-day forms of slavery. Human trafficking involves the illegal trade of human beings for sex or labor. It is a form of modern slavery where individuals are traded for sex. Globally, it is estimated that 4.5 million people are victims of sex trafficking. This paper discusses the concepts of sex and human trafficking, their definitions, the effects and the. The paper finds women and girls to be the primary victims of human trafficking, making about 70% of all the cases reported. The techniques used by the sex traffickers include guerilla pimping (use of threats, violence, intimidation and aggression) and finesse pimping (use of compassion, kindness, and promises to lure the victims). The article also cites challenges that governments face in trying to combat this growing business and provides some tips on how to overcome those challenges. The paper ends with a call for action from governments and agencies to bring to an end this inhumane business. Everyone should be vigilant and criminalize the selling of sex as well as enact anti-trafficking laws.
Sex trafficking
Sex trafficking is a form of present-day slavery where individuals mainly women perform commercial sex from coercion, fraud or force. Sex exploitation is the primary purpose for sex trafficking. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) in the USA defines sex trafficking as the process where individuals are recruited, harboured, transported, provided, obtained, patronized or solicited by use of force, fraud, or coercion for commercial sex (Segrave & Pickering, 2012). However, sex trafficking does not necessarily have to use force or fraud for children under the age of 18 years. Minors (under 18 years of age) who engage in commercial sex are considered to be victims of human trafficking, even if fraud or force was not used. According to Hodge (2008), sex trafficking is one of the most inhumane and criminal businesses in the world. Individuals who perpetrate Sex trafficking are known as sex traffickers. Sex traffickers usually target victims and then use threats, violence, false promises, and lies to win the victims for their won profit. Sex trafficking takes place in diverse venues and businesses such as brothels, strip clubs, motels, hotels, escort services, truck stops, among other sites (Raymond et al., 2001). Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Sex trafficking can be differentiated from other forms of commercial sex using the criteria of Action+ Means+ Purpose model. Human trafficking takes place when a trafficker the above actions and employs force, fraud or coercion to compel the victim to give commercial sex acts (Hodge, 2008). On the other hand, for sex trafficking, at least one element from the actions must be present. Using force and coercion means the act is done against the will of the person.
According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), out of the 20.9 million victims of forced labor, 4.5 million are victims of commercial sex. However, due to the covertness of the business, it is not easy to establish accurate and reliable data concerning sex trafficking (Hodge, 2008).
Main reasons for trafficking
Sexual exploitation and labor are the primary purposes of trafficking.
Sex
Sex is one of the primary reasons for trafficking. According to Kara (2009), victims of sex trafficking are mainly subjected and forced to many forms of sexual exploitation such as pornography, stripping, sexual tourism, and mail-order brides. Military prostitution and exotic dancing are also other forms of sexual exploitation that these victims are subjected to. It is essential to differentiate between sex trafficking and prostitution because they are different. Prostitution is one type of work performed by victims of sex trafficking, whereas sex trafficking is a general term that includes pornography and other sexual activities (Hodge, 2008). Traffickers or pimps get their clients (women and girls) who are socially and economically vulnerable who are susceptible to marginalization, isolation, violence, unemployment and drug addiction. The victims of sex trafficking are unable to escape as they face legal barriers, language barrier, limited knowledge, that prevent them from escaping (Kara, 2009).
Labor
In the majority of the countries in western and southern Europe, trafficking is mostly for labor or sexual exploitation. The male gender is one which is preferred to offer labor services. Boys are trafficked for exploitative labor such as slaves, soldiers and porters (Hodge, 2008).
Victims of sex trafficking
Many people think that women and girls are the only victims of sex trafficking. However, men and boys are also victims of this heinous act. According to the International Labor Organization, there are about 40.3 victims of human trafficking, most of them being in the United States (Kara, 2009).
Women and girls
The United Nations reports that about 70% of the victims of sex trafficking are women and girls. These victims are trafficked for sexual exploitation. Traffickers worldwide often target women and girls. Some of the contributing factors to sex trafficking include poor social, economic conditions and weak rules in countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. These conditions exacerbate the requirements for traffic, leading to sexual slavery and forced marriage (Raymond et al., 2001). Traffickers have targeted women in War-torn countries like Syria, Myanmar, Palestine, and Afghanistan feeing conflict and asylum seekers. Migrants and refugees are also a target group for sex traffickers in countries like Libya and Somalia (Deshpande & Nour, 2013). Women and girls are vulnerable to sex trafficking due to certain factors. Some factors undermine the ability of individuals to protect themselves or which disrupt connections to social and family support. These factors increase the susceptibility to fraud and coercion, and this makes women and girls more susceptible to sex trafficking. Secondly, women are usually exposed to variables that contribute to a person’s vulnerability to being trafficked. Such variables include disabilities, refugee groups, immigrants, membership to a marginalized group, poverty, war, unemployment, and political stability. According to Deshpande & Nour (2013), these variables usually expose women and girls to be victims of sex trafficking. The traffickers take advantage of the desperate situations of these people, such as lack of food, unemployment, lack of shelter, and poverty and make them their prime target for sex trafficking. These girls and women have fled abusive conditions at home. Traffickers pick them and coerce them into prostitution, promising them shelter, food and other goodies. These are the factors that make women be significant victims of sex trafficking.
Boys
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), men and boys who are victims of sex trafficking are trafficked for exploitative labor such as slaves, soldiers and porters. 28% of trafficked victims are children with 62% coming from Sub-Saharan Africa. Men and boys represent the smaller percentage of victims of sex trafficking.
Explaining sex trafficking
Recruitment of women
Women are the prime target of sex traffickers. Women are lured in many ways, both by violence and deceit. Methods of recruitment include false promises of food, shelter, and clothing. Other techniques involve befriending vulnerable-looking girls at schools, theatres and malls. Traffickers can be women or young men posing as doting boyfriends. FBI reports that traffickers may use force, intimidation, financial and emotional tactics to win the victims (Kara, 2009). Women are lured for promises like love and marriage or vast amounts of money. Others use violence and threats forcing women to remain under their control.
Thrives on extreme poverty
Victims of sex trafficking are mainly those from deprived backgrounds and those who yearn for better lives. These victims are promised good jobs, citizenship in a foreign country, education. Poverty exacerbates sex trafficking by making poor people vulnerable to the act. Poor parents may sell their daughters into sex trade or prostitution. Also, girls and women from impoverished backgrounds may not have the education which would help them acquire good jobs. These individuals are promised good jobs by the traffickers and end up falling prey to these perpetrators. They may also be determined to have better lives by travelling overseas to change their fortunes (Raymond et al., 2001).
Family involvement
Although a significant number of sex trafficking victims are kidnapped or lured by the traffickers, a considerable amount of them is sold into the sex trade by their parents and other close relatives. Parents who fail to educate their children may sell their children as sex slaves, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. In some societies, children are sold for sex or work regardless of the status of the communities (Kempadoo et al., 2015). This is mostly found in developing countries where children are sold to support the rest of the family. Children may be forced to perform as sex slaves after their families sell them for nightly basis. In other circumstances, the family fails to give time and attention to the children. These children seek love and affection elsewhere, which make them easy prey for traffickers.
Spousal prostitution and mail-order bride industry
Mail-order bride involves women who list themselves in catalogs for selection for marriage by men. This is mostly done by women living in developing countries seeking men from developed countries. It is estimated that 4, 000 men find brides through the mail-order bride industry annually. Mail-order bride companies perpetrate sex trafficking. Women move to foreign countries as mail order brides. Sex traffickers take advantage of such women who become their prey. Women from China, Colombia, Japan, and Southeast Asia states list themselves as mail order brides (Deshpande & Nour, 2013).
Utilization of the Internet
The Internet has become a vital tool used by sex traffickers to get their prey. Supply and demand for sex trafficking have increased significantly thanks to the use of internet which makes it easy for traffickers and customers to discreetly complete a transaction (Kempadoo et al., 2015). Sex traffickers use social media platforms and dating sites to market and entice minors.
Human trafficking
Victims of human trafficking
Women
Women form the largest category of victims of human trafficking. Women lack empowerment, jobs, proper education which leads to low economic status. Human traffickers take advantage of the desperate situation of such women to deceive them by promising them better lives, love, and money. Deshpande & Nour (2013) state that women are the primary victims of war, whereby they seek asylum to other countries. For example, women in Palestine, Syria, Somalia and other war-torn countries become refugees and immigrants. Human traffickers take advantage of such circumstances to get their clients by use of violence and threats. Since women are often vulnerable because of homelessness, domestic violence, immigration, and poverty, they become the prime target by human traffickers.
Girls
Girls are also the primary victims of human trafficking. Young girls, especially those who flee their homes due to unfavourable conditions at home, are easily enticed by the traffickers who promise them luxuries and enjoyable lives. Girls represent the female gender which is more vulnerable to human trafficking. Just like women, girls lack proper education, jobs, poverty, and marginalization. Therefore they easily fall prey of the human traffickers as they try their luck overseas and change their fortunes. Additionally, girls are victims of war and refugees, and traffickers use such loopholes to acquire them (Deshpande & Nour, 2013).
Boys
Men who are victims of human trafficking are mainly used for labor purposes. Men and boys like women, fall prey of the traffickers because of issues like unemployment, and violence. They are promised good jobs overseas, and most of them end up falling in the snare. Runaway and homeless boys are very vulnerable to trafficking. Drug and substance abuse also make boys susceptible to trafficking (Dempsey, 2015).
Who is more subject to be a victim of Sex and Human Trafficking?
Women and girls are likely to be victims of sex and human trafficking. Girls and women are mainly trafficked for sexual slavery, production of pornography and marriage. More than 70% of the victims of human trafficking are girls and women (UNODC).
III. Identifying Offenders of Sex and Human Trafficking
The “Middle Men”
The middlemen play a vital role in ensuring that the business of human trafficking thrives. Since the industry thrives because of serious demand, the middlemen provide demand-supply relationship, thus making it difficult to end the industry once and for all (Kempadoo et al., 2015). The middlemen connect the buyer and seller. They fuel the market by searching the victims on behalf of the traffickers/pimps. They lure the victims who are sold for profit.
- Fueling the Problem
Investigating efforts
Challenges
Many challenges derail the efforts of curbing sex and human trafficking. Governments lack accurate data on the victims because the victims are unwilling or unable to come forward. The victims are threatened and intimidated by the traffickers such that they very few or no incidences of trafficking will be reported. Corruption, especially in third world countries, also hampers the efforts of putting the perpetrators of sex trafficking to book. Corrupt government officials benefit from permitting trafficking. The efforts of such governments to collect accurate data is hampered by lack of resources and money to do so. (Segrave & Pickering (2012). Governments which lack resources to provide for basic needs like education and health are likely to be countries of origin for human trafficking. Developing countries are unable to collect accurate data, and it is in these countries where most sex trafficking victims are sourced.
Limited reports
Due to the nature of the business, there is a lack of information about the perpetrators of the business. The victims are put in situations where they cannot reveal what happens to them. Due to the covertness of the business, it is tough to establish the exact number of victims who suffer from this business. Also, it is very difficult to bring the perpetrators to book. Because of social stigma or misinformation, victims of human trafficking go unidentified and misidentified (Kempadoo et al., 2015).
Impact of the internet
The internet plays a significant role in the recruitment of individuals. Victims fall prey to traffickers via websites, social media platforms and other internet services. As more and more people use the internet, human traffickers use this chance to recruit victims. Young girls get offers from unknown people to date, meet, travel or work. The internet is used for human trafficking through offers to meet in person, attractive jobs, false promises and other invitations. Recruitment can also be done through advertisements. Traffickers use chat rooms and ads as their prime methods of recruiting the victims. Traffickers use sites like dating clubs, mail-order brides, escorts sites, modelling, and entertainment industry for recruitment of victims (Kempadoo et al., 2015).
- Legislative Responses to Sex and Human Trafficking
Educating People on Sex and Human Trafficking
People should be sensitized on sex and human trafficking. The community, youth, parents, and professionals should be taught to prevent sex trafficking through the identification of warning signs. Victims of sex trafficking should be embraced in society and treated for drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, delinquency, physical, psychological, and emotional abuse (Dempsey, 2015).
- Promoting Awareness
Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000
In 2000, the United States Congress passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), which created the first law to combat trafficking (Dempsey, 2015). The Act which has been revised five times since its enacting has played a significant part in fighting sex trafficking globally. TVPA increases education about human trafficking, collects funds for the treatment of sex trafficking victims, and enforces laws that help in the prosecution of the traffickers.
Conclusion
Human and sex trafficking is a form of cruel modern-day slavery that occurs more often than many people might think. It is not only an international or national problem but also a local one. It is a booming business involving many victims and perpetrators. The industry is fueled by demand and supply. The primary victims of this business are women and girls who form three-quarter of the victims. Most of these women are found in poor countries and war-torn countries. The traffickers use varied methods to get the victims from violence and intimidation to luring them. Refugee groups, immigrants, membership to a marginalized group, poverty, war, unemployment, and political stability are variables that predispose victims to their predators. The internet plays a significant role in perpetrating trafficking by connecting people.
Efforts have been put to place to combat this booming business. In 2000, the US Congress passed the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, which helps in fighting sex trafficking globally. Despite these efforts, many challenges hamper the efforts of combating this problem. Lack of inaccurate data of the victims is one of the challenges that governments face in their efforts to curb this business. The victims are unable or unwilling to expose themselves for help. Lack of resources and money also hampers the efforts of government agencies to combat sex trafficking (Dempsey, 2015).
Sex and human trafficking is a global problem that everyone should be concerned about. It is one of the most degrading businesses that exist in the modern world. Victims of sex trafficking have devastating consequences such as stress, physical and psychological trauma, diseases like HIV/AIDS, stigmatization and ostracism. Therefore, agencies at all levels must remain alert to this issue and address it vigilantly. Segrave & Pickering (2012) opine that countries should come together and pass anti-trafficking rules, bring to book the perpetrators and prosecute those who are found guilty. Governments should introduce legislation aimed at criminalizing sex trafficking and raise awareness of the issue. Governments should criminalize the buying of sex, whether consensual or forced.
References
Dempsey, M. M. (2015). Decriminalizing victims of sex trafficking. Am. Crim. L. Rev., 52, 207.
Deshpande, N. A., & Nour, N. M. (2013). Sex trafficking of women and girls. Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 6(1), e22.
Hodge, D. R. (2008). Sexual trafficking in the United States: A domestic problem with transnational dimensions. Social Work, 53(2), 143-152.
Kara, S. (2009). Sex trafficking: Inside the business of modern slavery. Columbia University Press.
Kempadoo, K., Sanghera, J., & Pattanaik, B. (2015). Trafficking and prostitution reconsidered: new perspectives on migration, sex work, and human rights. Routledge.
Kotrla, K. (2010). Domestic minor sex trafficking in the United States. Social work, 55(2), 181-187.
Raymond, J. G., Hughes, D. M., & Gomez, C. J. (2001). Sex trafficking of women in the United States. International sex trafficking of women & children: Understanding the global epidemic, 3-14.
Segrave, M., & Pickering, S. (2012). Sex trafficking. Routledge.
Websites
https://humantraffickinghotline.org/what-human-trafficking/human-trafficking/victims
https://www.dw.com/en/women-girls-main-victims-of-sexual-exploitation-trafficking-un/a-46978357