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Victims of human trafficking are recruited through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purposes of exploitation. The crime affects victims from all walks of life locally, regionally and internationally. Human traffickers target an individual’s vulnerability to feed their enterprise.
Poverty and culturally accepted discrimination are common underlining vulnerability factors which increase the risk for human trafficking. Migrants are particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse from traffickers because of their delicate migratory status, which often leaves them without access to community support or legitimate forms of employment and social protection among other needs. Victims of labor trafficking are often forced to work in deplorable conditions in various sectors such as agriculture and hospitality (including illicit massage/spa locations), as well as in more informal work situations such as domestic servitude (i.e. housekeeping, yard work and childcare). An often overlooked connection is that between sex trafficking, perhaps the most talked about form of human trafficking, and the commercial sex industry, including porn. Society does not often correlate the two and may even justify its benefits or avert the conversation altogether. The question often comes up regarding victims, “why don’t they just leave their situation?." Sex trafficking victims are manipulated by their trafficker who will often resort to psychological threats and abuse, if not also physical, to keep a victim unable to escape their exploitative situation. Data shows that the United States is one of the leading countries in pornography consumption, often user-generated. This means, that individual users are uploading the amateur content to outlets that offer this type of unchecked content which often includes minors (younger than 18 years of age). Beyond any moral argument related to porn, a danger lies when an individual in any of these videos is not participating voluntarily, especially when a minor is involved which would be legally deemed child sexual abuse. This is a complex matter, but simple questions and accountability as to what we are consuming every day, can help us decide if we are indeed respecting the dignity of all human beings we encounter in our daily lives. A leading organization in the U.S. to learn more on the topic: www.polarisproject.org Monthly column written for St. Joseph Catholic Church, Tampa, FL http://bit.ly/CCBulletin0521
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Human trafficking in all its forms (i.e. labor trafficking, domestic servitude and sex trafficking) is a violation of the dignity of the human being. The United Nations reports that the crime impacts over 40 million people around the world with women and children accounting for 71% of all total victims. A more alarming statistic is that one in four human trafficking victims are minors (girls and boys). Human trafficking can take place in any country, state or community, wherever vulnerability is a factor.
Migrants, particularly women and children, are especially vulnerable to human trafficking due to their migrant status while also confronting attitudes and actions of exploitation, discrimination, xenophobia or hypersexualized stereotypes placing them at risk of abuse and violence. Abuse can often manifest itself in emotional and psychological ways, making it more difficult to identify a victim. Elements in the culture within society, such as indifference, play a significant role in enabling human trafficking to occur as well as hiding it in plain sight. How can we serve and act more like a good Samaritan welcoming and drawing close to those around us in vulnerable situations, such as migrants and refugees who are often faced with a journey riddled with difficulty, need, pain and lots of sacrifice in search of a dignified life? Do we know their story? Perhaps we can explore our own attitudes and behaviors to identify ways where we can help provide comfort, protection, integration and support where others can confirm their own dignity and humanity. Monthly column written for St. Joseph Catholic Church, Tampa, FL http://bit.ly/CCBulletin050221 |
gaby DeBellisLL.M., J.S.D., 
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