What is Human Trafficking?
Elizabeth Rohrer
Mrs. Kost
English 104
14 April 2014
What Is Human Trafficking?
Who does not want a better life? There are those who in countries like Cambodia, India or Thailand that are so desperate for a better life that they fall for the lies they are sold by those who wish to exploit them. Every year, every day, every hour, every minute a man, woman or child is being trafficked and the majority of Earth 's population is unaware of what is transpiring. Most would tell you the idea of human trafficking was something made up for a movie, most likely one with Liam Neeson in the testosterone driven, butt-kicking lead. However, human trafficking, especially sex trafficking, is a harsh reality that we face today.
Since many here in the United States do not realize that human trafficking takes place, it is safe to assume that they do not truly know what defines it. The glamorized, Hollywood version depicts young girls being kidnapped and auctioned off to the highest bidder or being sold to a brothel where they see man after man in a drugged stupor. While this does take place, it is only a partial truth. According to the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), …the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons defines Trafficking in Persons as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.
Another common misconception is that trafficking only
Mrs. Kost
English 104
14 April 2014
What Is Human Trafficking?
Who does not want a better life? There are those who in countries like Cambodia, India or Thailand that are so desperate for a better life that they fall for the lies they are sold by those who wish to exploit them. Every year, every day, every hour, every minute a man, woman or child is being trafficked and the majority of Earth 's population is unaware of what is transpiring. Most would tell you the idea of human trafficking was something made up for a movie, most likely one with Liam Neeson in the testosterone driven, butt-kicking lead. However, human trafficking, especially sex trafficking, is a harsh reality that we face today.
Since many here in the United States do not realize that human trafficking takes place, it is safe to assume that they do not truly know what defines it. The glamorized, Hollywood version depicts young girls being kidnapped and auctioned off to the highest bidder or being sold to a brothel where they see man after man in a drugged stupor. While this does take place, it is only a partial truth. According to the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), …the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons defines Trafficking in Persons as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.
Another common misconception is that trafficking only
Cited: "The Facts." The A21 Campaign. A21 Campaign, n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2014. <http://www.thea21campaign.org>. Kristof, Nicholas D. "The Face of Modern Slavery." New York Times 16 Nov. 2011: n. pag. The New York Times. Web. 1 Apr. 2014. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/17/opinion/kristof-the-face-of-modern-slavery.html?_r=3&>. Marston, Sallie A., Paul L. Knox, and Diana M. Liverman. World Regions in Global Context: Peoples, Places and Environments. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008. Print. Saar, Malika Saada. "There Is No Such Thing as a Child Prostitute." Washington Post 17 Feb. 2014: n. pag. The Washington Post. Web. 1 Apr. 2014. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-child-prostitute/2014/02/14/631ebd26-8ec7-11e3-b227-12a45d109e03_story.html>. "What Is Human Trafficking?" UNODC. UNODC, n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2014. <http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/what-is-human-trafficking.html?ref=menuside>.