"Prostitution" One of the Ugly Truths Behind Human Trafficking

"Prostitution" One of the Ugly Truths Behind Human Trafficking
INTRODUCTION
One of the leading problems in the world today is human trafficking. Human trafficking is defined as the "recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons by means of the threat, use of force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse or exploitation." This type of transporting, holding, and forcing people into servitude is considered a modern type of slavery. Many thought that this word "slavery", had been abolished over 150 years ago but it is very much alive in our world today. There are other nations that have eradicated slavery as a state-sanctioned practice, but human trafficking has emerged as a "modern form of human slavery." "It is a growing global threat to the lives and freedom of millions of men, women, and children." Human trafficking often people who are a part of organized crime groups whose number one agenda is to money at the cost of trafficking men, women, and children. Trafficking is broken down into many different aspects, each one more repulsive than the next. Each type of human trafficking exploits men, women, and children. Human trafficking has the following types: sexual exploitation, child soldiers, organ harvesting, and forced labor. More than half of the victims used in trafficking are used for sexual exploitation, prostitution or as sex slaves. Children are forced to fight and given weapons to use in war torn areas. Victims of organ harvesting are forced to give up their hearts or livers which are eventually sold on the black market. Forced labor victims are traditional slaves that are held captive and put to work as indentured servants, in sweatshops, or on farms. Traffickers have many methods to get their victims to perform their bidding.
Many of them are forced into trafficking and do not have a way out. Some are kidnapped or taken by force from their homes. A number of them are tricked by traffickers and promised a better life. Another method is that traffickers go to poor and desperate families and persuade them to sell their children into trafficking. Finally, a majority of them are coerced into human trafficking by way of threats, lies, or violence. There are numerous reasons why human trafficking has come to be such a problem in today 's society. For instance, greed is the number one reason that human trafficking exists. Traffickers partake in trafficking networks because it is a profitable enterprise. Human trafficking has increased enormously in years because of the trafficker 's willingness to exploit people for profit. It has become the 3rd largest criminal activity in the world following drug and weapons trafficking. Economic hardship is another issue that keeps human trafficking alive. Having poverty stricken and despaired people keeps traffickers in work. Children and destitute women are major targets for traffickers. Many of these women and children are desperate for any opportunity to escape the misery that accompanies extreme insolvency. As you would expect, human trafficking is a huge problem in countries where the government does not have support programs for the poor. Unstable countries are a prime target area for human trafficking. Countries that are destabilized keep traffickers in business. Events that keep these areas unstable are corrupted governments, corrupted societies, government instabilities, wars, criminal activities, and natural disasters. Each event makes it easier for traffickers to claim their victims and increase their profits. This report will concentrate on one type of human trafficking, prostitution. Prostitution is one of the most leading problems in many countries. With the rising problem of prostitution and sex trade many questions come to mind in relations to the United States and this growing problem:
● Is the United States in some ways implicated in promoting HT?
● If so, does our government acknowledge our complicity, and if so, what is the United States doing to deter HT by Americans or to help other countries/organizations combat HT?
● What can the United States and its ' citizens do about HT?
To help answer these questions, this report will look at information collected from the internet.

COLLECTED DATA
The Business of Prostitution and Sexual Exploitation
Among the many types of human trafficking, prostitution is the number problem that the United States faces within it own borders. More than half of the women, and children brought into the U.S. through trafficking are sexually exploited. They are forced into prostitution and slave labor by human traffickers.
The Perpetrators. Traffickers belong to a criminal underworld. Some are deeply involved in organized crime and some are petty criminals or freelancers. Freelance operators earn money by forging passports and other official documents, providing transportation and/or connections, etc. International crime syndicates rely on vast criminal networks made up of forgers, providers, extortionists, financiers, corrupt travel agencies, corrupt officials, and brothel operators. These slave traders prey on those that are vulnerable; mainly children and young women. They target them and use ploys that win their confidence and trust.
Process of Persuasion. Traffickers use many means of persuasion to get their victims into trafficking. Sometimes they promise them marriage, employment, educational opportunities, or a better life.
1. Lies- traffickers assert and maintain power over their victims by lying to them about future employment and travel opportunities, living conditions and treatment.
2. False promises- victims are typically promised valid immigration and travel documents only to find that said documents are later held back.
3. Threats- traffickers suppress resistance with threats of harm to the victim and/or the victim 's family.
4. Violence-
Additionally, perpetrators attack and/or rape their victims. In some cases, attacks are targeted at the victim 's family as well.
To protect themselves, traffickers often move victims around among a circuit of workplaces and coach them on what to say to police. Sometimes the victims are also forced to engage in criminal activities. When this occurs, it makes it impossible for them to turn to the police for help. Traffickers/recruiters gain further control of their victims by isolating them and breaking them off with the outside world.
Techniques of Control. Traffickers use many techniques in order to keep their victims in control. Violence is an inherent part of the prostitution and sexual exploitation used to manipulate and threaten these women. Many victims are kidnapped, held captive, and coerced into prostitution. "Methods used to control women in the sex industry included: denying freedom of movement, isolation, controlling money, threats and intimidation, drug and alcohol dependencies, threatened exposure of pornographic films, and physical and sexual violence." A major pitfall for these women is the debts they incur. They are forced to pay these debts in order to get out of trafficking. Often they are stuck in this lifestyle for many years with no way out.
Methods of Transportation. Many trafficked victims are brought into the United States along the U.S.-Canadian and Mexican borders and through international airports. After they are smuggled into these entry points they are later taken to other locations where they are put to work. About 62% of trafficked women from the U.S. and another 29% from other countries are domestically trafficked across city, state and even national borders. Industry of Prostitution in U.S. The sex industry of human trafficking is in various regions of the United States. These regions consist of the Northeast, Metro New York, the Southeast, the Northern Midwest, and Metro San Francisco. Each one of these areas was chosen because of their geographical area, racial and ethnic diversity. In these areas the traffickers can exploit their victims and capitalize on both supply and demand. Most of the enterprises that traffic include strip clubs, health clubs, beauty salons, and massage parlors. Some are crude and undercover prostitution enterprises, operating out of mobile trailers, private residences, and warehouses. There are some establishments that show a visible legal establishment but have illegal operations on the side. No matter what, all of these businesses are illegal prostitution activities in disguise.
Sex Industry targeted at the Military. Prostitution within human trafficking is many times targeted at the U.S. military. Traffickers make it a point to set up their shops near and around military bases. These businesses thrive because of the business they receive from being around military bases. In some military towns, street prostitution is common. "Military personnel create enormous demand for the industry and, according to some accounts, facilitate the proliferation of sex businesses around the bases." Some women that are in prostitution within many of the areas around military bases are turned into prostitutes by their military spouses. Service men marry many of these women from foreign countries and bring them back to the United States and pimp them out. Other military wives are abused by their military spouses and sometimes become displaced and homeless. Many speak no English, understand their legal rights, have no work skills, or the ability to access resources. Because of these drawbacks, they are lured by want ads in the newspapers advertising for work that are in illegal establishments owned by human traffickers.
Answering the Tough Questions
Question 1. The United States does not promote Human Trafficking. It has many efforts in place to deter and punish those that partake in human trafficking. "In October 2000, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) made human trafficking a Federal crime. It was enacted to prevent human trafficking overseas, to protect victims and help them rebuild their lives in the U.S., and to prosecute traffickers of humans under Federal penalties. Prior to 2000, no comprehensive Federal law existed to protect victims of trafficking or to prosecute their traffickers." In April 2003, the Protect Act was signed into law. This Act gives law enforcement officers the right to prosecute Americans who travel abroad to abuse minors. It also states that there is no statue of limitations for any crimes involving the abduction or physical/sexual abuse of a child. Many of these criminals that commit these crimes can face up to 30 years in prison. Also, on December 16, 2002 the President signed a National Security Presidential Directive mandating a "Zero tolerance policy toward trafficking among members of the U.S. armed services, civilian employees and civilian contractors." The U.S. government continues to learn more about human trafficking. In fact, the government continues to create a broad range of actions to confront and eliminate it.
Question 2. The U.S. condemns the idea of trafficking and is firmly committed to fighting and eradicating the process. The United States has the following things in place (http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2004/33202.htm):
• Vigorously enforcing U.S. laws against all those who traffic in persons;
• Raising awareness at home and abroad about human trafficking and how it can be eradicated;
• Identifying, protecting, and assisting those victims exploited by traffickers;
• Reducing the vulnerability of individuals to trafficking through increased education, economic opportunity, and protection and promotion of human rights;
• Employing diplomatic and foreign policy tools to encourage other nations, the UN and other multilateral institutions to work with us to combat this crime, draft and enforce laws against trafficking, and hold accountable those engaged in it.
Some countries ability to fight trafficking is crippled by govt. corruption. Others simply lack or have weak anti- trafficking laws. For these reasons, it has been difficult in the past for the U.S. to enforce rules against trafficking overseas. However, the United States created a Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Office to fight and eliminate "human trafficking by focusing worldwide attention on the international slave trade; assisting countries to eliminate trafficking; promoting regional and bilateral cooperation; supporting service providers and NGOs active in trafficking prevention and victim protection efforts. The TIP office also assists foreign governments in drafting or strengthening anti-trafficking laws and funds law enforcement and victim assistance training to foreign governments to ensure traffickers are fully investigated and prosecuted to final conviction. The TIP Office supported more than 240 anti-trafficking programs in over 75 countries in fiscal year 2003. The types of assistance include the following: economic alternative programs for vulnerable groups; education programs; training for government officials and medical personnel; development or improvement of anti-trafficking laws; provision of equipment for law enforcement; establishment or renovation of shelters, crisis centers, or safe houses for victims; support for voluntary and humane return and reintegration assistance for victims; and support for psychological, legal, medical and counseling services for victims provided by NGOs, international organizations and governments." The most recent event to do away with human trafficking occurred in January 2006, when "President George W. Bush signed the TVPRA into law, stating, "We cannot put the criminals out of business until we also confront the problem of demand. Those who pay for the chance to sexually abuse children and teenage girls must be held to account. So we 'll investigate and prosecute the customers, the unscrupulous adults who prey on the young and innocent." The new law contains domestic provisions aimed at decreasing demand for sex trafficking victims. It authorizes block grants of $25 million by the Attorney General to states and local law enforcement to: investigate and prosecute buyers of commercial sex; educate individuals charged with or attempting to purchase commercial sex; and collaborate with local NGOs who are skilled at providing services to victims. The new law also provides $10 million to local governments and NGOs through the Department of Health and Human Services to help survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation."
Question 3. The US and its ' citizen need to know that human trafficking is very much alive in our country and in the world. "Local, state, national, and regional efforts to fight trafficking must be coordinated. By drawing public attention to the problem, governments can enlist the support of the public." Strategies must target both the supply and demand sides of human trafficking. The government has given law enforcement the right to vigorously prosecute traffickers, identify and interdict trafficking routes. These law enforcement agencies clarify legal definitions of trafficking and train personnel to identify and direct trafficking victims to appropriate places for care. Also, "with regard to sex slavery, public awareness campaigns must be conducted in destination countries to make it harder for trafficking to be concealed or ignored." With all of these practices in place they will eventually minimize the business of human trafficking.

CONCLUSION
Summary of Findings
Human Trafficking is a major problem in the world today. Approximately "600,000 to
800,000 men, women, and children are trafficked across international borders each year, approximately 80 percent are women and girls, and up to 50 percent are minors." Even though these numbers are high it does not include those that are trafficked within their own countries. More than half of these victims are transported for sexual exploitation; about 16,000 to 18,000 make it into the United States. The United States is working hard at trying to do away with human trafficking by making laws such as TVPRA and setting up TIP offices. With different laws and practices in place the United States hopes to get a hand on this problem.
Interpretation of Findings
Human trafficking affects everyone it comes in contact with. There are women, men, and children that are stuck in this type of life with no way out. It is important that the U.S. government and other nations take a stand against human trafficking. The United States continues to make laws that hinder the effect of human trafficking within its borders. If everyone is united on this issue then human traffickers do not have a chance.
Recommendations
If you are interested in doing something about human trafficking, consider these suggestions: 1. Do research on the topic. Find everything you can on human trafficking and educate yourself.
2. Open your eyes and see if there are any businesses around your neighborhood that are linked to human trafficking. If these types of businesses exist; find out what steps you need to take in order to report them to law enforcement.
3. Find out what laws your State government has to punish those that participate in human trafficking. If there are no laws push to get some incorporated into the law system.
4. Elect government officials that will do something about this immoral act.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

The Link between prostitution and sex trafficking. Retrieved August 6, 2006, from http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2004/33202.htm

Responses to Human Trafficking. Retrieved August 7, 2006 from http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itgic/0603/ijge/ijge0603.htm Fact Sheet: Human Trafficking. Retrieved August 7, 2006 from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/about/fact_human.html
The United States ' Effort to Combat Trafficking in Persons. Retrieved August 12, 2006 from http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itgic/0603/ijge/gj02.htm

Trafficking in Persons Report. Retrieved August 12, 2006 from http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2006/65983.htm Sex trafficking of women in the United States. Retrieved August 13, 2006 from http://www.uri.edu/artsci/wms/hughes/
Pictures were retrieved on August 6, 2006 from http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?p=human+trafficking&fr=FP-tab-img-t-t500&toggle=1&cop=&ei=UTF-8

Bibliography: The Link between prostitution and sex trafficking. Retrieved August 6, 2006, from http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2004/33202.htm Responses to Human Trafficking. Retrieved August 7, 2006 from http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itgic/0603/ijge/ijge0603.htm Fact Sheet: Human Trafficking. Retrieved August 7, 2006 from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/about/fact_human.html The United States ' Effort to Combat Trafficking in Persons. Retrieved August 12, 2006 from http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itgic/0603/ijge/gj02.htm Trafficking in Persons Report. Retrieved August 12, 2006 from http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2006/65983.htm Sex trafficking of women in the United States. Retrieved August 13, 2006 from http://www.uri.edu/artsci/wms/hughes/ Pictures were retrieved on August 6, 2006 from http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?p=human+trafficking&fr=FP-tab-img-t-t500&toggle=1&cop=&ei=UTF-8