By: Andrea Ortiz
In the United States, slavery may be remembered as an abolished practice of the past, but it is still happening here today. It has been carried on through a new, illegal outlet: human trafficking. Human trafficking is the illegal recruitment, transportation, and trading of humans for sexual exploitation, forced labor, or the removal of organs. Human trafficking is also commonly known as modern-day slavery.
“While smuggling requires illegal border crossing, human trafficking involves commercial sex acts or labor that are induced through force, fraud, or coercion. Smuggling and trafficking can be similar but not fully”. Stated Carmen Vasquez a young woman who is a dentist assistant. Who has been taught many things about this topic at an early age. Human trafficking victims can be of any age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, immigration status, cultural background, religion, socio-economic class, and education attainment level. These crimes also include the recruitment of children and forced early marriage.
There are many different types of trafficking for example like, Sex trafficking is not something you can see happening across a crowded room. It is not a crime that occurs in an instant, like a kidnapping or carjacking, that a bystander can witness and report. In fact, many people in active sex trafficking situations do not recognize themselves as being victims because they have been expertly groomed by a trafficker to believe they have chosen to participate in commercial sex. Understanding how sex trafficking really works can help families and communities to recognize vulnerable people before they become victims and provide survivors with the support, they need to break free, heal and move on with their lives.
“In Mexico you see motorcycles or vans doing this type of stuff. I have been taught a lot, I lived most of my life over there and we had to learn these things at school. For example, they told us to avoid going anywhere by yourself, avoid wearing bright colors just because it is easier to spot at night. Avoid going to stores alone and if something does happen use violence”, stated Carolina Cano a young Hispanic girl who is very familiar with this topic because of her living in an area where this topic occurs a lot of. Human trafficking can happen in any community, and it can affect victims of any gender, race, nationality, or age. Oftentimes, traffickers lure victims in by using fraud, coercion, or force. Education is key to spotting, reporting, and preventing trafficking.
Therefore, it is important to educate young adults on this topic because you will never know what can happen. “This happens very often, and it is always good to know how to defend yourself. My parents have always been big on this topic. They have always told me to be aware of my surroundings and to always walk with a group of people and never to go anywhere by myself at night”. Stated Mixlye Cano a young female who has always been very aware of her surroundings. When you know your surroundings, you can take better notice of the things that are out of the ordinary. Consider whether you need to tell someone or react. Do not presume changes in your surroundings are innocent or fine.
In conclusion, Human trafficking is a hard topic to talk about but is important to educate young adults at an early age, because it is better to be safe than sorry.
In the United States, slavery may be remembered as an abolished practice of the past, but it is still happening here today. It has been carried on through a new, illegal outlet: human trafficking. Human trafficking is the illegal recruitment, transportation, and trading of humans for sexual exploitation, forced labor, or the removal of organs. Human trafficking is also commonly known as modern-day slavery.
“While smuggling requires illegal border crossing, human trafficking involves commercial sex acts or labor that are induced through force, fraud, or coercion. Smuggling and trafficking can be similar but not fully”. Stated Carmen Vasquez a young woman who is a dentist assistant. Who has been taught many things about this topic at an early age. Human trafficking victims can be of any age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, immigration status, cultural background, religion, socio-economic class, and education attainment level. These crimes also include the recruitment of children and forced early marriage.
There are many different types of trafficking for example like, Sex trafficking is not something you can see happening across a crowded room. It is not a crime that occurs in an instant, like a kidnapping or carjacking, that a bystander can witness and report. In fact, many people in active sex trafficking situations do not recognize themselves as being victims because they have been expertly groomed by a trafficker to believe they have chosen to participate in commercial sex. Understanding how sex trafficking really works can help families and communities to recognize vulnerable people before they become victims and provide survivors with the support, they need to break free, heal and move on with their lives.
“In Mexico you see motorcycles or vans doing this type of stuff. I have been taught a lot, I lived most of my life over there and we had to learn these things at school. For example, they told us to avoid going anywhere by yourself, avoid wearing bright colors just because it is easier to spot at night. Avoid going to stores alone and if something does happen use violence”, stated Carolina Cano a young Hispanic girl who is very familiar with this topic because of her living in an area where this topic occurs a lot of. Human trafficking can happen in any community, and it can affect victims of any gender, race, nationality, or age. Oftentimes, traffickers lure victims in by using fraud, coercion, or force. Education is key to spotting, reporting, and preventing trafficking.
Therefore, it is important to educate young adults on this topic because you will never know what can happen. “This happens very often, and it is always good to know how to defend yourself. My parents have always been big on this topic. They have always told me to be aware of my surroundings and to always walk with a group of people and never to go anywhere by myself at night”. Stated Mixlye Cano a young female who has always been very aware of her surroundings. When you know your surroundings, you can take better notice of the things that are out of the ordinary. Consider whether you need to tell someone or react. Do not presume changes in your surroundings are innocent or fine.
In conclusion, Human trafficking is a hard topic to talk about but is important to educate young adults at an early age, because it is better to be safe than sorry.
