The fight to combat modern slavery ended one decade on a high note, and entered the next on yet again another high note. The new administration has given considerable focus to the increasing the fight globally. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, continued to raise her voice against human trafficking on December 2, 2009, the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, stating;
Modern slavery is a global phenomenon and must be addressed with global partnerships between governments, non-governmental organizations, and civil society. Through new partnerships, the United States and the international community will work to rescue and serve survivors, bring traffickers to justice, and create a world where every person has the freedom and opportunity to fulfill his or her God-given potential.
On January 4th, President Barack Obama proclaimed January 2010 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The announcement was set to preclude the nation’s annual celebration of National Freedom Day on February 1. The announcement of this years recognition is hopefully only the beginning, as currently Congress is looking to permanently set January as National Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Month, of which the Senate has already take action to place a similar measure into consideration.
This Monday marks National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, which was set by the 110TH CONGRESS – 1ST SESSION S. CON. RES. 40 – CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, passed by the Senate on June 22, 2007. The resolution was established to support the goals and ideals of observing an established National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness to be recognized each year on January 11. The day is set to raise awareness of, and opposition to human trafficking/modern slavery, both domestically and across the globe. In honor of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, January 11, 2010, various events will be taking place across the country, so please look for events in your community…better yet, organize your own! If you know of any events taking place, please share them with the other readers and post a comment with the event details today. If you are on Facebook please also join the nationwide (and global) group dedicated to the day, where over 500 members are already sharing ideas and resources.
Why is your participation in this day and month of recognition so vital? Human trafficking/Modern Slavery is the world’s fastest growing industry, according to 2009 State Department Trafficking in Persons Report over 80% of those trans-nationally trafficked are women and children. The US State department estimates that some 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders each year and about 80 percent of them are female and at least 50% are children. The numbers given by the State Department do not included the millions of victims which are trafficked with in countries borders, including the United States. The US government has stated that there are some 17,500 victims of sex trafficking in the United States each year, however all of these government figures are well understated and the true number of victims is unknown. According to the International Labor Organization (End of Child Labor Within Reach 2006), each year, some 1.2 million children are trafficked for the purposes of labor, while another 1 million are trafficked into the sex trade.
What is Human Trafficking, or Modern Slavery? It is when the use of fraud, force, or coercion is used in which to exploit an individual for the mere means of profit or economic gains. There is no stereotypical face of human trafficking, for the chains of modern slavery can bind anyone, of any gender, race, religion or age. Those bound by slavery do not have to cross borders to be victimized, for one can be exploited within their own home, community, as well as half across the globe. Modern slavery comes in many shapes and forms, such as; child soldiers, forced labor through debt bondage, and forced prostitution or sex slavery. And as we have seen, not even rural North Carolina is immune to this disease of power and greed, which binds some 27 million people around the world.
Why are so many children being trafficked today? Victims are lured by traffickers who offer promises of a better life, work opportunities or a chance to live in a more democratic and free society. Some families, desperately poor, are willing sell one of their children as a sacrifice for the rest of the family. However the reality is a far cry from the promise of freedom, or an escape from poverty and hardship. Forced into prostitution or trained to kill in child armies, victims of sexual and psychological exploitation are literally robbed of their childhoods, a commodity that is rarely recovered. One driver behind trafficking in children and young women is the global sex tourism industry, which thrives on foreign demand. If governments and societies do not enforce laws to protect children from pedophiles, many will continue to travel in search of sex with minors. As traffickers and brothel owners rake in large profits, this seedy underbelly does not drive capitalism, but merely creates corruption, fuels the drug market, and other illegal and illicit activities.
How do you know if you have come across a victim?
Common Work and Living Conditions
The Individual(s) in Question:
- Is not free to leave or come and go as he/she wishes
- Is under 18 and is providing commercial sex acts
- Is in the commercial sex industry and has a pimp / manager
- Is unpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips
- Works excessively long and/or unusual hours
- Is not allowed breaks or suffers under unusual restrictions at work
- Owes a large debt and is unable to pay it off
- Was recruited through false promises concerning the nature and conditions of his/her work
- High security measures exist in the work and/or living locations (e.g. opaque windows, boarded up windows, bars on windows, barbed wire, security cameras, etc.)
Poor Mental Health or Abnormal Behavior
- Is fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous / paranoid behavior
- Exhibits unusually fearful or anxious behavior after bringing up “law enforcement”
- Avoids eye contact
Poor Physical Health
- Lacks health care
- Appears malnourished
- Shows signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement, or torture
Lack of Control
- Has few or no personal possessions
- Is not in control of his/her own money, no financial records, or bank account
- Is not in control of his/her own identification documents (ID or passport)
- Is not allowed or able to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on being present and/or translating)
Other
- Claims of “just visiting” and inability to clarify where he/she is staying / address
- Lack of knowledge of whereabouts and/or do not know what city he/she is in
- Loss of sense of time
- Has numerous inconsistencies in his/her story
Note: This list is not exhaustive and rather represents a selection of possible indicators. Also, the red flags in this list may not be present in all trafficking cases and are not cumulative. (Polaris Project, Action Center)
If you see any of these red flags, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-888-3737-888 now to report the situation. We highly recommend you take a moment to place this number in your mobile phones now.
So, take action today, be it via the internet or in your own city/town/village across the world to remember all those around the globe who have been victimized by modern slavery and who are unable to govern their own lives.
* The author is the Executive Director and Founder of Bridge to Freedom Foundation (BTFF), works to enhance and improve the opportunities available to survivors of modern slavery, including sex trafficking, child soldiers and forced labor. BTFF accomplishes this by connecting for-profit corporations, community groups, educational establishments and the general public. The cornerstone of BTFF’s work is found in the support of those who have been victimized by modern slavery, through their personal and professional development. For more information on how you can get involved or donate contact [email protected] or call 703-869-2575.
