The Global Impact of Human Trafficking

Abstract 

Currently, human trafficking is a global threat that results in the violation of human rights, particularly for the victims. Millions of people around the world are affected, both directly and indirectly by human trafficking. In responding to the problems of human trafficking, there is the need of ensuring that those found guilty are apprehended and that justice is found for the victims. Research shows that majority of the victims are sold across the international borders, where 42% of the victims are within their borders. Among these victims, 71% are females, while 28% of the victims are children. Over the past decades, trafficking has been fueled by the socio-economic problems such as conflicts and natural disasters. The results of the study indicate that, indeed, human trafficking is a global issue that deserves global attention and action. 

Introduction and Background 

Human Trafficking is a serious problem in the world as it violates the human rights. Each year, people of all ages and gender fall into the hand of traffickers both locally and internationally. There are more than 3 million people who are victims of human trafficking today (Chang & Hayashi, 2017). In responding to the problems of human trafficking, there is the need of ensuring that those found guilty are apprehended and that justice is found for the victims. Research shows that majority of the victims are sold across the international borders, where 42% of the victims are within their borders. Among these victims, 71% are females, while 28% of the victims are children (Kempadoo et al., 2015). Over the past decades, trafficking has been fueled by the socio-economic problems such as conflicts and natural disasters (Lemke, 2018). This paper will propose an education system for using laws that criminalize the act of human trafficking, which will help global nations to adopt the concepts contained in the Trafficking of Persons Protocol 2000. 

Research Question

How is human trafficking a world problem?

Hypothesis

Criminalizing human trafficking is the only model that can reduce the rates of crime in the world (Lemke, 2018). 

Methodology

This proposal used a qualitative analysis to prove the fact that criminalization of human trafficking can reduce the rates of the vice. The analysis sought the approval of governmental officials and the anti-trafficking organizations across the globe, where they were tasked with responding to the fact that criminalization can lead to the reduction in the incidence rates across the world (Kempadoo et al., 2015). The data collection method for the research was through interviews. Participants were expected to give their views on the effect of adoption of legal acts that criminalize human trafficking in the domestic legal system as a proactive model of reducing the incidence rates of human trafficking. 

A sample of 1000 participants were selected, where the proposal sought to collect their confidence levels on the fact that criminalization of the act of human trafficking through illegalization of the vice can reduce the incidence rates across the world (Chang & Hayashi, 2017). Semi structured questions were prepared for the interview, where the research analyzed the confidence levels of participants through the Likert Scale. The expected result should show that most of the participants are in agreement with the fact that the criminalization of human trafficking in the domestic legal system has the potentiality of reducing the incidences of human trafficking across the world. 

Analysis 

An increasing amount of attention is currently being directed toward the problem of human trafficking around the world. Generally, the media is increasingly covering trafficking, with most countries developing new policies, laws, and new enforcement mechanisms aimed at curbing the menace (Weitzer, 2014). Besides, anti-trafficking activism has been on the rise, the objective being to create awareness about the issue. However, there has been a frustrating shortage of technical solutions that can be used to effectively analyze data, perform impact assessments related to anti-human trafficking efforts despite the recognition of human trafficking as a significant global issue. 

Basically, human trafficking is a compound societal issue (Barner et al., 2014). It involves the exploitations of people for monetary gain. The perpetrators of human trafficking are business people who are in to make money by selling humans. Human trafficking presents a serious public health concern, and it violates human rights. Risk factors for human trafficking increase when individuals are vulnerable, particularly due to poverty and the attraction of perceived higher standards of living elsewhere (Chuang, 2014). Statistics for juveniles in the United States show that 83 percent of all confirmed sex trafficking incidents involved United States’ citizens between 2008 and 2010 (Kempadoo et al., 2015). 

Human trafficking is often hard to detect, or even gather statistics on it due to its clandestine nature. Although the prevalence of human trafficking is difficult and complicated to measure, sources estimate that between 27 million and 46 million individuals around the world are victims of human trafficking. This demonstrates the gravity of the issue of human trafficking. There is a significant need for creating global awareness about the existence and danger of human trafficking around the world, given its violation of fundamental human rights (Chang & Hayashi, 2017). Generally, human trafficking is an extremely profitable enterprise for traffickers exploiting humans. It is estimated that forced labor and sexual exploitation generates $150 billion annually in illegal profits. This makes human trafficking one of the largest sources of profit for global organized crime, second only to illegal drugs. 

The prevalence of human trafficking demonstrates that, although slavery and slave trade was abolished in the 19th century, they have not been entirely eradicated. In fact, slave trade is currently called human trafficking, and it is one of the most flourishing and profitable businesses globally. However, modern human differ from the 19th century slave trade in a number of ways, such as the significant regional variations, as well as its clandestine nature. Currently, sexual exploitation is principally the most commonly identified form of human trafficking, accounting for almost 79 percent of all human trafficking incidences. 

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. The declaration ensured that freedom from slavery was recognized as a human right internationally. However, it is important to realize that there is some significant regional variation in terms of compliance to standards. For instance, many African countries still do not have legislations on human trafficking, with some having laws that criminalize only some aspects of human trafficking such as child trafficking. Therefore, there is need for criminalization of all forms of human trafficking in order to effectively curb the menace. However, it is important to note that some significant progress is being made at the institutional level through increased cooperation between world states and organizations. For instance, the United Nations Protocol against Trafficking in Persons is one of the foremost international agreements in the area of human trafficking, which came into force in 2003 (Lemke, 2018). The 2009 UNODC Report on Trafficking in Persons indicates that the number of member states seriously implementing the international agreement has more than doubled. This shows that there is an increasing recognition of human trafficking as a global problem. 

Given the threat posed by human trafficking on the wellbeing of victims, there is a significant need for identifying effective victim interventions. Most governments are currently playing a critical role in developing socioeconomic policies aimed at addressing systemic drivers of human trafficking. However, ongoing trafficking recruitment of victims calls for more targeted intervention strategies that helped individuals from falling victim to trafficking. For instance, awareness campaigns are arguably the most common form of trafficking prevention activities aimed at raising awareness of the dangers off trafficking. Additionally, awareness campaigns offer to potential victims the strategies for avoiding deception and subsequent exploitation. With effective and appropriate implementation, awareness campaigns can play a significant role in combating the problem of human trafficking both locally and globally

Results and Discussion

Results 

A total number of 1000 participants were interviewed in order to establish their views regarding the issue of human trafficking and its effects on both local and global scale. The participants were drawn from relevant government agencies and anti-trafficking organizations. Of the total participants, 600 were men with the remainder being women. It was important to ensure that all genders were represented in the study. The participants were subjected to structure interview questions. The questions were based on a Likert Scale.

The Threat of Human Trafficking 

On whether human trafficking posed a global threat, majority of the respondents strongly agreed that human trafficking poses a global threat. This shows that there is an increased level of awareness in terms of the existence of human trafficking. This could be attributed to the proliferation of smart devices, which have facilitated access to various social media platforms. Social media are perhaps some of the most effective channels of mass communication.

Effectiveness of Criminalization of Human Trafficking

Criminalization of human trafficking is presented as an effective strategy for combating human trafficking. Based on the results of the interview of participants, it is clear that they believe in criminalization of the issue as a way of minimizing its effects. All the participants strongly agreed that human trafficking should be criminalized in order to reduce its prevalence. Therefore, it is demonstrable that human trafficking should be criminalized.

Discussion 

From the results, it is clear that human trafficking is a serious global threat. As such, human trafficking is a significant global problem, as well as one of the world’s most shameful crimes. Human trafficking affects millions of people around the world, robbing them of their dignity (Lemke, 2018). Basically, human trafficking is a critical violation of fundamental human rights. The perpetrators of human trafficking deceive men, women and children from all corners of the world, forcing them into exploitative situation every other day (Chuang, 2014). This particular problem affects every country, whether they are countries of transit, origin, or destination. Human trafficking represents modern day slavery, where individuals are deprived of their most fundamental rights of freedom. It is also important to note that the needs of survivors of human trafficking are as diverse as their heartrending stories. The journey rebuilding a stable and fulfilling life for those who have been trafficked is not only long but also very hard. As such, victims of human trafficking need help from everyone, including governments and anti-trafficking organizations.

Criminalizing all elements of human trafficking is a sure way of combating the vice, as well as discouraging perpetrators. Creating legislations targeting human trafficking activities will allow for the development of mechanisms that enables the dismantling of trafficking networks worldwide (Kempadoo et al., 2015). Anti-trafficking agencies could exploit the structures that are embedded in social networks in order to understand the social networks of at-risk individuals or exploiters of trafficked individuals. Criminalizing such elements of human trafficking would help law enforcements authorities to scuttle any efforts to exploit humans. 

Human trafficking is a serious and unfortunate crime, as well as an appalling violation of fundamental human rights. Almost every country around the globe is affected by the menace. Despite the prevalence of human trafficking, as well as its seriousness, there is lack of technical solutions that can support decision making regarding anti-trafficking initiatives. However, governments have great opportunities available to them in terms of combating the vice. Creating appropriate legislations, as well as creating mass awareness about the problem can significantly help in stemming the menace. 

Conclusion

Human trafficking is a significant global threat that violates the fundamental human rights of the victims. Human trafficking affects millions of people around the world, robbing them of their dignity. Basically, human trafficking is a critical violation of fundamental human rights. The perpetrators of human trafficking deceive men, women and children from all corners of the world, forcing them into exploitative situation every other day. This particular problem affects every country, whether they are countries of transit, origin, or destination. Human trafficking represents modern day slavery, where individuals are deprived of their most fundamental rights of freedom. Criminalizing all elements of human trafficking presents an effective strategy that would help prevent further violation of fundamental rights of vulnerable populations. Collective efforts by governments and general public would help in stemming the vice. 

References

Barner, J. R., Okech, D., & Camp, M. A. (2014). Socio-economic inequality, human trafficking, and the global slave trade. Societies , 4 (2), 148-160.

Chang, K. S., & Hayashi, A. S. (2017). The Role of Community Health Centers in Addressing Human Trafficking. In  Human Trafficking Is a Public Health Issue  (pp. 347-362). Springer, Cham.

Chuang, J. A. (2014). Exploitation creep and the unmaking of human trafficking law. American Journal of International Law , 108 (4), 609-649.

Kempadoo, K., Sanghera, J., & Pattanaik, B. (2015).  Trafficking and prostitution reconsidered: New perspectives on migration, sex work, and human rights . Routledge.

Lemke, M. (2018). Educators as the “Frontline” of Human-Trafficking Prevention: An Analysis of State-Level Educational Policy.  Leadership and Policy in Schools , 1-21.

Weitzer, R. (2014). New directions in research on human trafficking. The annals of the american academy of political and social science , 653 (1), 6-24.