A widespread social issue around the world is human trafficking. By definition Human trafficking, is the unlawful act of transporting or coercing people in order to benefit from their work or service, typically in the form of forced labor or sexual exploitation. Human trafficking is considered to be a modern form of slavery and many victims of this social issue are compelled to accept a job through various types of deception including, coercion or physical force. Also Human traffickers usually prey on individuals in poverty, limited intelligence of the English language, not safe housing, and low amounts of education and economic opportunities.
Human trafficking continues to be an issue even with the current laws that are in place. Currently, in the United States, there are punishments for traffickers or people who aid traffickers. The United States has set up services to assist the victims as much as they can, but there are still many ways it can be avoided or prevented. Workers are already protected by federal and state labor laws. They set safety measures, minimum wages requirements, and discrimination laws to help protect the rights of the workers. An increase of enforcement to protect the workers can help lower the need from workers. An increase of enforcement to protect the workers can help lower the need from workers, that puts them in desperate situations. Workers also struggle in certain professions or because of certain employers. They can be excluded from some of the labor/employment laws. The communities in which this is present also have more reports of trafficking. Live-in domestic workers experience a lot of trafficking cases. They are excluded from many forms of legal protection, whether that may be overtime laws, anti-discrimination laws, etc. Making the laws include more of the workers would make them less vulnerable. Increased outreach to those who are not fully aware of their rights could benefit them greatly. Workers and citizens can be protected by increasing the enforcement of existing protection laws on workers, helping lower the amount of workers not protected, and informing undocumented immigrants of their rights.
Human Trafficking is a modern form of slavery and is a growing problem in the US as poverty levels begin to increase. This social issue causes signs of anxiety, emotional numbness, memory loss, and depression. Many that have went through this may start to see signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The affects of human trafficking can be long lasting and affect the persons relationships with people resulting in cycles of victimization. All types of Human Trafficking levels have been increasing rapidly in the past decade and changes have to be made in order for there to be improvement and for levels of Human Trafficking to go down.
There are many different services that are available to victims of trafficking despite their social or economic status. There are judicial remedies as well as government benefits available to those in need. Judicially they can take a stand criminally or civilly. Criminally, victims can fine/imprison their traffickers under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA). Civilly, victims can be compensated for any economic losses they may have had due to being trafficked. They can seek relief through any state or federal labor and employment laws as well. The government also has benefits available to victims. Trafficking victims have access to the services and benefits that are available to refugees. They can receive monetary assistance, food stamps, or health care. The U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has to approve people as a victim of trafficking in order to receive the help they may need. The United States provides many different ways for trafficking victims to get the help they need.
January is National Human Trafficking prevention month in the U.S and you should participate to raise awareness to people about this social issue.
To help prevent human trafficking you can report any suspicious activity to this phone number: 1 (888) 373 - 7888
You could also text "help" or "info" to 233733
“Human Trafficking: Modern Enslavement of Immigrant Women in the United States.” American Civil Liberties Union, https://www.aclu.org/other/human-trafficking-modern-enslavement-immigrant-women-united-states.
“Mental Health Resources for Human Trafficking Survivors and Allies.” Administration for Children & Families, 13 Oct. 2021, https://www.acf.hhs.gov/blog/2021/10/mental-health-resources-human-trafficking-survivors-and-allies#:~:text=Studies%20show%20that%20individuals%20who,%2C%20and%2For%20eating%20disorders.
“What Is Human Trafficking?” Human Trafficking, 28 Sept. 2022, https://www.justice.gov/humantrafficking/what-is-human-trafficking.
“20 Ways You Can Help Fight Human Trafficking - United States Department of State.” U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of State, 11 Jan. 2021, https://www.state.gov/20-ways-you-can-help-fight-human-trafficking/#:~:text=Volunteer%20and%20support%20anti%2Dtrafficking,Be%20well%2Dinformed.