Human Trafficking Civil War

Many abolitionists such as Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, and Sojourner Truth worked tirelessly to eliminate slavery during the Civil War Era. Their contributions had a lasting impact on history, and in 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment put an end to slavery in the US, or at least that's what people commonly believe. However, slavery still exists today as a result of human trafficking. Victims of trafficking are illegally taken into forced labor, the sex trade, or organ removal. Human trafficking is a result of psychological manipulation, gender inequality, and less fortunate conditions in developing countries, in order to drag millions of people each year into a prime example of man’s inhumanity to man.
For centuries, human trafficking has
Even though anybody could find themselves a victim of trafficking, women are especially in danger of being targeted. Adult women are the most frequent victims of human trafficking (Cullen-DuPont). Traffickers often exploit the lack of women’s rights in less developed countries to make a profit. In certain cultures, particularly in countries like India, Nepal, and Ghana, they believe in ritual slavery, where young girls become sex slaves to make up for the sins of the family (Human Trafficking). These girls get no say in this, and they're treated more as merchandise than as human beings. Furthermore, women are often unable to seek aid after escaping because many of them are arrested for prostitution and illegal migration (Cullen-DuPont). The fact that they were not given a choice in the matter is overlooked. Human trafficking is an especially inhumane act because it takes advantage of pre-existing injustices, such as gender inequality, and uses them to further victimize
Underdeveloped countries are the perfect places for human trafficking to begin, due to the abundance of people looking for new opportunities. Many of the most popular origin countries are located in Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa (Human Trafficking). Victims from these places are generally migrants who enlist the help of a smuggler, who tricks them with promises of false opportunities (Human Trafficking). These victims commonly don't have any other option, so they agree without acquiring very much information. Upon reaching their destination, even if they realize the reality of the situation, they do not have the legal documents required to leave. Perhaps the worst part is that victims genuinely believed that they were receiving a chance to start over and redefine their lives in a positive manner. For example, a study following young boys from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan trafficked to become camel jockeys in the United Arab Emirates showed that parents were informed their children would receive good pay for moderate work (Yea 2). In actuality, the boys worked long hours under harsh conditions, and the traffickers usually kept the money they earned for themselves (Yea 2). Traffickers are not above deceit and trickery to accomplish their goals. Human trafficking will even claim victims from conflict zones, where people are most vulnerable due to their country’s strife (UNODC