Human Trafficking Definition

According to the International Labor Organization, global profits from trafficked victims in forced commercial sex is approximately $27.8 billion per year. Additionally, labor trafficking creates estimated profits of $43.40 billion annually worldwide (Ezell 507). These numbers indicate that human trafficking – of which forced sex and forced labor are the major components - is one of the most profitable illegal trades, behind only the illegal drug enterprise and illegal arms dealing (Tonge 455). The lucrative nature of human trafficking presents a formidable task in attempting to arrest its perpetuation. It, therefore, behooves us to make a concerted effort to tackle if any significant progress is to be made in curbing it.
In response to
Bravo explains that at the state level, not only do they enact legislation but, sufficient effort is geared towards tracking down offenders and enlightening the people concerning the perils of human trafficking (18). A second crucial difficulty is the loose definition of beneficiaries in the illegal trade, which has provided exploitable legal loopholes. Being able to wangle out of criminalization due to their financial muscle and political connections, multinationals exonerate themselves from complicity in the trade via classification of those truly involved in human trafficking. According to Ezell, “Corporations can sometimes rely on the legal separation between themselves and a supplier to deflect liability for the supplier’s” (516). Conversely, Helton expounds that despite the TVPA being the first Act to be passed regarding human trafficking in the US, it does not cover all aspects of human trafficking instead, it provides a narrow category (439). While it may not be possible to successfully wedge every possible legal ambiguity, the current policy requires extensive revision with regards it definitions and classifications of human trafficking. Lastly, very little is known about human trafficking laws and even the existence of trafficking by the populace. Sadly, not much appears to be done about this.
Bravo argues that efforts should not only vested in creating laws against human trafficking but also “…educate the public about its evils” (18). Education will go a long way in disabusing the minds of the populace of their ignorance and misconception of human trafficking and eliciting a moral response to this avoidable iniquitous act against humanity. A suggestion would be to produce ad campaigns that the general public will view, and produce awareness programs in public schools. Rocha, in her study of human trafficking in the state of Ohio, contends that because of the “underground nature human trafficking”, public awareness campaigns are essential (411). Therefore, the necessity of a national awareness effort cannot be