1-888-3737-888 - National Human Trafficking Hotline
The Modern Day Slave trade is in a new wave and has far surpassed the number of slaves at any time in history. It goes on everywhere in the world including the United States. It might be hard to imagine that something like this happens in the US but the truth is, for criminals it's "safer" because of that exact reason. We don't really suspect it and we don't know what it looks like which makes it difficult to detect and report. This page contains resources on how to recognize victims and take further action, types of slavery, a glimpse into the global slave trade and how to take further action to end this injustice.
What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, harbouring, or receipt of people for the purposes of slavery, forced labor (including bonded labor or debt bondage), and servitude.
Types of Trafficking:
There are two main types of trafficking that involve women, men and children.
1. Sex Slavery: Many women and children are exploited, kidnapped and forced or tricked into brothels. Commonly, an attractive job working in larger cities is offered to poor women and children. When these individuals arrive at their new jobs, they are forced into a debt situation that they cannot ever pay back. Brothel owners use various tactics such as threats to harm the families of vitims. Many oppressors force the victims to situations of repeated rape, physical abuse and drug use. There are reports of children as young as 3 years old exploited in brothels and sex tours.
2. Labor Slavery: This type of slavery also has many forms whether it's young boys working in cocoa farms, children working in brick kilns without food or pay, growing number of child soldiers, and domestic servitude. Sometimes entire families are "owned" because of a small debt that they cannot repay. Overtime they owe interest and find themselves trapped indefinitely. In Africa, girls are kidnapped and sold into the UK as domestic servants. Labor slavery continues to grow in all industries all over the world.
What Fuels Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is a market-driven criminal industry that is fueled by the demand for the labor, services, and commercial sex acts of human trafficking victims. Traffickers, who are motivated by money, force victims into the labor, services, or commercial sex industry because they can generate large profits. Unlike drugs, people are a "reusable" commodity. Read more...
Human Trafficking in the United States
Cases of trafficking going on in the US are increasing rapidly. Individuals are smuggled or "recieved" through the borders and exploited in labour and sex slavery. Threats of deportation and harm to a victim's family are common to control victims. US citizens are also kidnapped, tricked and forced into situations of prostitution and labor. See more facts below.
The Facts:
>>There are estimated 27 million people living in slavery around the world today.
>>Every 10 minutes, a woman or child is trafficked into the United States for forced labor.
>>Human trafficking has become a $10 billion a year global industry.
>>600,000-800,000 trafficked internationally each year
>>80% of victims are women and children, 50% are under the age of 18.
>>Trafficked children are significantly more likely to develop mental health problems, abuse substances, engage in prostitution as adults, and either commit or be victimized by violent crimes later in life.
>>Women who have been trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation experience a significantly higher rate of HIV and other STDs, tuberculosis, and permanent damage to their reproductive systems.
More Resources:
How to Identify Victims of Trafficking
Not For Sale Campaign Abololitionist Guide
The Slavery Map - An interactive map pinpointing cases in specific areas. Have a look.
Trafficking in Persons Report - Global perspective on the trafficking situation country by country.
Stop The Traffik - Download free guides on how to take action in your community.
Abolish Human Trafficking - Local events and links to many resources.
Polaris Action Center - A crash course on trafficking.
Call+Response: Take Action
William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008
Human Trafficking News video journals:
PSAs, News Stories, Clips
How to Buy a Child in 10 Hours
Women on the Front Line: Nepal
Migrant Slavery in Florida
Untold Stories: Part 1 of 4