Lack Of Human Trafficking In The United States

Alas, no gender, age, nor ethnicity is exempt from the global crisis of human trafficking. However, the victims are not dispersed evenly throughout the planet. The International Labour Organization (ILO) has concluded that the over half of all trafficked persons, for a total of 11.7 million slaves, come from the Asia-Pacific region. Meanwhile, the highest rates of people trafficked per thousand inhabitants exists in Central and Southeastern Europe (depicted in light blue) and Africa regions (depicted in tan), both having a rate of over four trafficked persons for every one thousand inhabitants (“Statistics on Forced Labour…”). Though the United States of America has one of the lowest rates of human trafficking worldwide, slavery still poses
Traffickers know how to manipulate another’s weaknesses for their own gain. “Often the traffickers and their victims share the same national, ethnic, or cultural background, allowing the trafficker to better understand and exploit the vulnerabilities of their victims” (“The Victims and Traffickers”). Additionally, many traffickers share more than a nationality with their victims. Forty-six percent of modern day slaves are related to, romantically involved with, or personally know their traffickers in some way (Bryfonski 15). Sex traffickers, or pimps, can easily take advantage of a person’s affection for them and manipulate that person into participating in sexual acts to make them money. Thought the pimp may occasionally participate in the sexual exploitation themselves, they are characterized by their primary purpose which is to make a profit. One pimps has the potential to make hundreds of thousands of dollars a year (“Human Trafficking by the Numbers”) off of a slave that cost them an average of ninety dollars to purchase (Bryfonski 14).These immense profits are encouraging more sex traffickers to join the trade. Lamentable, pimps are not alone in the endeavor to enslave others for financial
Every citizen must contribute in the war against human trafficking. First of all, everyone has a responsibility to keep himself safe by educating himself and those around him about human trafficking (“Steps You Can Take…”). If every person knew how to keep himself and his family out of the hands of traffickers, slavery could be eliminated completely. Unfortunately this is not the reality of today; therefore, everyone must do their part to lessen the demand for trafficking. The demand for labor trafficking can be reduced by being conscientious about the products that are bought. Consumers must take initiative and research to make sure the items are made slave free (“The Business of Modern-Day Slavery”). Actions can also be taken to minimize to market for sex trafficking, particularly by not viewing or supporting pornography. It is true that some pornography is legally made, but much of the pornographic content in the world today is made through some form of sex trafficking (“The Inseparable Link Between…”). If everyone would participate by implementing these simple actions in their life, it could change the entire dynamic of the human trade market, and perhaps thwart it