Human Trafficking

International law language might be dense, but it is also accurate. The word "Trafficking" as defined by the U.N. in 2000 is as follows:

The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coersion, of abduction or fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payment or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.

Here's an interesting tidbit from www.godspy.com

"The CIA believes that fifty thousand women and children are being trafficked into the United States annually."

Yeah. Right here. In America. How about that? People are being ABDUCTED from other countries and brought HERE as SLAVES. Sex slaves, domestic slaves, pornography slaves, labor slaves. Children are brought in by pedophilia rings. Outside of the U.S. the number of people trafficked annually is in the millions. MILLIONS.

Also according to www.godspy.com:

"The first case of trafficking prosecuted in the United States involved women as young as fourteen years old who were trafficked from Mexico into Florida in 1999. The victims were forced to prostitute themselves with as many as 130 men per week in a trailer park. Of the $25 charged to the "Johns," the women received $3. Threatened by rape and other physical abuse, the women were kept hostage by members of a trafficking ring known as "Cadena." One woman who tried to escape was kept in a closet for fifteen days. Others were forced to have abortions, the cost of which was added to their debt of $2,000 to $3,000 each."

Here is a testimony of a young girl trafficked into the United States:

Testimony of Rosa

"When I was fourteen, a man came to my parents' house in Veracruz, Mexico and asked me if I was interested in making money in the United States. He said I could make many times as much money doing the same things that I was doing in Mexico. At the time, I was working in a hotel cleaning rooms and I also helped around my house by watching my brothers and sisters. He said I would be in good hands, and would meet many other Mexican girls who had taken advantage of this great opportunity. My parents didn't want me to go, but I persuaded them.

A week later, I was smuggled into the United States through Texas to Orlando, Florida. It was then the men told me that my employment would consist of having sex with men for money. I had never had sex before, and I had never imagined selling my body.

And so my nightmare began. Because I was a virgin, the men decided to initiate me by raping me again and again, to teach me how to have sex. Over the next three months, I was taken to a different trailer every 15 days. Every night I had to sleep in the same bed in which I had been forced to service customers all day.

I couldn't do anything to stop it. I wasn't allowed to go outside without a guard. Many of the bosses had guns. I was constantly afraid. One of the bosses carried me off to a hotel one night, where he raped me. I could do nothing to stop him.

Because I was so young, I was always in demand with the customers. It was awful. Although the men were supposed to wear condoms, some didn't, so eventually I became pregnant and was forced to have an abortion. They sent me back to the brothel almost immediately.

I cannot forget what has happened. I can't put it behind me. I find it nearly impossible to trust people. I still feel shame. I was a decent girl in Mexico. I used to go to church with my family. I only wish none of this had ever happened."

- Rosa, Age 14, trafficked in Florida, originally from Mexico;
Testimony before US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, 2000


According to www.stophumantrafficking.org:

"Trafficking is a profitable business, the UN estimates that trafficking in "human cargo" generates around US$7 billion per year."

Can you believe this? I mean, of course it's all about money...it almost always is. But can you really stomach the fact that someone is eating dinner right now, and paying for it with money obtained from abducting a human being and forcing them into some type of illegal work, most likely involving sex. What is the situation that makes it possible for people to descend so deeply into decay of coinscience? Poverty, for sure. And the lure of easy money. Unstable economic conditions tend to breed willingness to do just about anything to stay on top economically. A man may have kidnapped some women and children the day before and sold them to a traffic ring leader. But in his mind, he is doing it to feed HIS family, so HIS wife and children are not forced into sex labor. Economic instability provides an environment for desperation and greed to overcome sensibility and value of humanity. Political instability allows it to go undetected, because there are "bigger fish to fry" so to speak. Let's not rule out the possibility of Iraq becoming (if it is not already) a breeding ground for this sort of "commerce."

Human traffickers are taking advantage of the Tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia, according to this article:

http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2005/02/24/trafficking/


Are you outraged too?

You can sign up to become a part of the solution here: http://www.stophumantraffic.org/lists/?p=subscribe

You can donate or become a member of Project Hope, an organization committed to helping victims of Trafficking: http://www.phi-ngo.org/USA/Invovled.htm

Here are other ways to help, as suggested by www.breakthechaincampaign.org :

Be vigilant.

The best defense against modern-day slavery is a vigilant public. Be a nosey neighbor. We usually find out about these situations because a member of the public sees something odd and speaks up. If you know of a situation that doesn’t seem right, please call us at 1-202-234-9382 x244.

Lend Your Skills.

If you have a talent or skill that you can impart, please talk to local organizations that work with trafficked individuals. People are interested in all sorts of skill sets from literacy, English , or acting classes to computer skills and basic banking 101. Lend your expertise.

Interpreter/Translator.

If you have a language skill, help other organizations or the Campaign translate materials so that we can reach a greater number of people in this situation. Volunteers can also act as interpreters for intake interviews with the staff attorney or legal director.

Lawyers/Law Firms.

If you are a lawyer or work for a law firm with a pro bono part, please offer your legal services. Low-cost or no-cost mental health providers are also desperately needed.

Housing.

Unfortunately, housing remains one of the most difficult aspects of assisting enslaved or exploited individuals.

Donate Business Clothes and Equipment.

Folks need clothes for job interviews and, at times, need clothes, in general. Most organizations accept clean clothes in good condition. We are also particularly looking for old computers, old cell phones, etc.

Donate Money to a Women's Economic Initiative in a Developing Country.

Donating to a project and program in a Third World nation which is promoting economic self-sufficiency for women to help curb some of the root causes that cause individuals to take great risks to find a job. We would be happy to help you to identify organizations abroad.

Donate to help someone work towards self-sufficiency here in the US or return to his or her home country.

Once individuals escape from their harrowing experiences, they usually does not have any money. Many need assistance while they wait out the trial against their abusers. Others need help purchasing an airplane ticket home.

Help with publicity. Spread the word. Let your friends know.