Thought slavery was abolished, a hideous oppression of the past?…think again. In virtually every country, with the exception of Mauritania and perhaps Myanmar, slavery is illegal. Yet human trafficking activities generate $9.5 billion annually; $4 billion of that is attributed to brothels.

A large portion of human trafficking exists in western culture, especially in North America and Europe. Think about competitive pricing—slavery is often the reason for the low prices paid for agricultural produce, chocolate, sugar, sporting goods and clothing. Buying something on sale does not make it a bargain, especially if we don’t really need it. The people who suffer are not paid for their labor to bring low cost products and services—they have been abducted, coerced, threatened, deceived and exploited; their basic rights have been stolen from them!

 The only way to end the cycle of slavery is to increase public awareness and to adjust our understanding of value. True value is not found in a ‘thing’, it is found in how we live our lives. We need to pay attention. Look for evidence of a person being controlled and signs of physical abuse, fear, depression, not speaking on their own behalf, no passport or other documentation or identification. Identification is often taken and fear of legal authorities is instilled to coerce victims.

Recently, I attended a conference on human trafficking presented by the administrator for immigration, refugee resettlement, and human trafficking at the Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Newark, NJ. The information presented was mind-boggling! The following is apparently a typical account of women enslaved to manufacture garments:

“251 Vietnamese ‘guest workers’ were held for nearly two years under conditions of indentured servitude sewing clothes for J.C. Penny, Sears, and Target at the Daewoosa factory in American Samoa. The women were paid next to nothing, beaten, sexually harassed, threatened with deportation and imprisonment, and starved, while working 12 to 18 hours a day, sometimes seven days a week, all while living in crowded, rat-infested dormitories.”

Every year millions of additional men, women and children are trafficked and forced into the market of sexual or labor servitude. Some trafficking operations may also be involved with smuggling migrants, weapons, or drugs. There have even been many cases of deceit and abduction in order to harvest organs from unsuspecting victims—this is outrageous!

According to the statistics from the Departments of State and Justice, 600,000-800,000 men, women, and children are trafficked annually for commercial sex trade (70% female, 30% male; 50% of those trafficked are children) 200,000 U.S. children are at risk for trafficking into the sex industry. Don’t forget about abducted children—this industry is often what they are forced into.

The TVPA, Trafficking Victim Protection Act, was affirmed and signed by President Clinton on October 28, 2000, and the trafficking Victim Reauthorization Act was again affirmed and signed by President Bush in 2003 and 2005. The TVPA stipulates that “the U.S. Department of Helath and Human Services is designated as the agency responsible for helping victims of human trafficking to become eligible to receive benefits and services.” Additionally, the Departments of Justice, Labor, State, and Homeland Security are involved in the process of helping victims.

How can we advocate for victims of human trafficking? Get informed, many books and documentaries are available. Talk about modern-day slavery and spread awareness. Write letters and call your senators and governor to address the need for an increase in police training so that personnel are better able to recognize indications of trafficking which leads to correct intervention. Volunteer for and donate to a reliable non-profit ngo (non-governmental organization) that arranges for legal intervention and provides shelter, medical, psychological and legal assistance, language and job training, translation services, and employment to victims.
Here are some non-profit ngo’s that help victims of slavery and trafficking:

charitynavigator.org (for an organization’s rating on efficiency and responsibility)
freetheslaves.net
madebysurvivors.com (the Emancipation Network)
iabolish.com
ciw-online.org (Coalition of Immokalee Workers)
crimesofwar.org
anti-slaverysociety.addr.com
justtrustindia.org