Final

Human Trafficking

Describe a current social problem

Human trafficking is a global human rights concern that affects unknown numbers

of people worldwide. Human trafficking (HT) involves dealing with human beings for

exploitation, generally in some commercial sexual mistreatment or forced labor (Barner,

Okech, & Camp, 2014). The appellations "trafficking in individuals," "human trafficking"

and "contemporary," or "modern slavery" are identical and are commonly defined as

transporting someone into a situation of exploitation that can include forced labor,

marriage, prostitution, and organ removal (Barner, Okech, & Camp, 2014; Hachey &

Phillippi, 2017). HT affects every corner of the earth, and it includes men, women, and

children, regardless of the nation’s wealth. Traffickers prey on vulnerable individuals in

some of the most impoverished areas in the world by deceivingly recruiting and

transporting them to countries such as the United States, and pressuring them to serve

the interests of traffickers, through physical force and mental torment (Barner, Okech, &

Camp, 2014). HT is a crime where victims are forced to provide labor or services, or to

engage in commercial sex acts. The coercion can be indirect or explicit, physical or

psychological, and may comprise the use of viciousness, intimidations, deceits, or debt

bondage subject to physical, sexual, and emotional violence (Beck, Choi, Munro-Kramer,

& Lori, 2016). Vulnerable and defenseless to manipulation, children, and youth

experiencing homelessness are a prime target. Besides, some victims have diverse socio-

economic backgrounds, varied levels of education, and maybe documented or

undocumented. Traffickers intent to entice men, women, and children with untruthful

promises of decent careers, education, financial security, and love. (Beck, Choi, Munro-

Kramer, & Lori, 2016). In the health care setting, HT victims hardly ever identify

themselves as HT sufferers, due to fear, humiliation, or language barriers.

How might this problem be incongruent with social work values/ethics?

Knowing that slavery, exploitation, and violence are linked with trafficking are

human rights violations, the enactment of many anti-trafficking programs and policies

tries to find ways for human rights to be asserted and protected. The pedigrees of social

work lie deep in the ground of human rights and social justice. Social work profession’s

mandate to advance human rights and social and economic justice places social workers

in an ideal position to address the problem. The profession’s role does not only recognize

and assist the trafficked victims but also in prevention efforts, and thus to effect change

at the micro-, mezzo-, and macro levels. Social change and social justice advocacy have

long been the foundations of social work practice, as well as the support of such historic

causes such as civil rights, welfare rights, and the labor movement. Directed by the

National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics (20011), social workers involved in

the anti-oppressive action, and that frequently includes advocating for the equal

distribution of wealth, fair representation and opportunity within the business, political

grounds, access to quality education, and appropriate treatment in the criminal justice

system. Also, through education and training, social workers are skilled advocates and

aware of policy and political systems that impact on practice

The social justice case of human trafficking of girls is a universal form which

places teenage girls at risk for getting exploited sexually. In that case, diverse

counsellors ought to increase their assertiveness and awareness of the vulnerabilities

which place girls at risk of getting trafficked. For instance, counsellors might use

activities which are mindfulness-based such as body awareness exercises and body scans

to aid clients to be able to differentiate between past and current experiences.

The two exercises that which are recommendable for a group of adolescent girls

who were victims of human trafficking include: i. Physical exercise.

ii. The use of questionnaires or notes.

Physical Exercise

According to studies, physical exercise usually affects the brain of diverse

individuals. Exercise helps in controlling blood sugar and could also raise oxygen flow to

the brain. Numerous evidences have showed that exercise impacts the plasticity that

influences wellbeing and cognition. From a research conducted among 20 individuals, it

was clear that there was a huge difference between individuals who were involved in

exercise and those that leisure involved less or no workouts at all. From the written

documents, it was clear that the individuals who used to exercise seemed more relaxed as

compared to their counterparts.

The Use of Questionnaires or Notes

Exercises that could help the girls set priorities and goals include having these

girls write down what they are going through and their problems. Here, the girls are

expected to write down their desires and wishes in the condition as well as distinct

results which they may want to take place as well as the changes which they may want

their colleagues to make (Holosko, et.al, 2012).

At the end of the day, group therapy brings about good communication and

rapport and helps in the facilitation of diverse people of a given group in a therapy

among victims of human trafficking. The kind of therapy comprises of linking the goals

of different girls of the grouping and therapists or rather counsellors who have dealt

with such specific individuals. A group therapist is supposed to be not only encouraging

but also emphatic with an amplified focus on the growth and progression of the people

she or he is dealing with, especially like in our case, who might have gone through a lot.

Something else to include on the notes is how their counterparts would perceive

them in that discussing these issues could be helpful in reducing interpersonal

efficiency.

Some of the strategies to be used by counselors would use include:

i. Values and Ethics

This includes understanding the disparity and convergence that are amid the

values of a dominant community with girls who have been trafficked. While dealing with

girls just like Tiffany, counsellors should be aware that they ought to regard these ladies

with not only care but also with concern since these girls have undergone so much

trauma (Reid, et.al, 2017).

ii. Self-Awareness

Here, counselors should assist in teaching the girls who have undergone

trafficking the concept of learning the different biases, prejudices, stereotypes, judgment

as well as power against each other. While evaluating the prerequisites of these girls,

they are supposed to recommend the examination of humility and confidence when

dealing with the outside world (Farr, 2016). This will be helpful to the girls by

guaranteeing that they are made knowledgeable of their values and freedoms. This type

of confidence will guarantee or rather facilitate that they are not only collaborative but

also other-oriented. That is, they care for each other.

How have the groups affected by this concern changed over time?

Human trafficking continues to be a social problem within the US, but also

globally. Some would say it is a modern-day form of slavery. For centuries, women have

been the target for sexual exploration. From forced marriages to prostitution, a women’s

body is seen as cash value. In the 60s and 70s other countries began importing women

to the US in the hopes to gain citizenship and employment, but in return became sex

workers. Other types of human trafficking include men forced into labor, debt bondage,

and forced marriages. By the 80s, organ transplants were needed, causing the illegal

removal of organs to become popular. Under the black-market scope, bodies and

missing organs were popping up around the US. As time progressed, so did the way of

continuing trafficking. New ways of lurking people over to the US for “fake jobs” were

created. Migrants would come to the US hoping for a new life and quickly forced into

indentured servitude.

The youth have been the most sought at population for human

trafficking. “According to a CIA report, around 50,000 women and children are brought

into the US for slave annually” (Tepfenhart, 2016). Young people are viewed as

vulnerable and easy targets for traffickers. With the increasing numbers of youth that

are homeless or runaways the simpler it is to manipulate and control the mind. The

yearning for attention, male figure, or the affection of another exhibit the unmet needs

that exploited children face. There is a correlation between youth exploitation and the

neglect, abuse, and maltreatment due to their surroundings. “Research findings

estimate that between 33 and 90 percent of victims of commercial child sexual

exploitation have experienced these types of abuses” (Williamson & Pryor, 2009). Trans

gender and male youths are also affected by trafficking and exploitation at a growing

rate. The level of immaturity limits the risk factors that adolescents ignore the potential

dangers from traffickers.

The truth of the matter is that human trafficking still exists. It lies deep, hidden in

plain eyesight and could be in your daily travels. What needs to be understood is that

human trafficking has nothing to do with a person’s color or socio-economic

background. It has everything to do with the injustice and negative climate that was

developed decades ago in the US and other countries.

As a cornerstone to end human trafficking, federal laws have been put in place.

The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act was created in 2000. It

provides a method of seeking prosecution for traffickers, prevention, and protecting

victims. Several other policies, laws and programs have been in place to help aid victims

and prevent. Continuing to advocate and bring awareness to this social problem is a

must. The public needs to be educated and aware of any suspected form of exploitation

on a human must be reported.

Identification of Policy

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act was first established in 2000. The federal law

covers prevention of human trafficking, the protection of victims, and prosecution of

offenders. The act has stiff penalties and provides restitution to be given to victims and

survivors. TVPA continues prevention by utilizing the Office to monitor Combat

Trafficking in Person, a report issued yearly. The report includes the ranks of other

countries and their attempt to end human trafficking. TVPA supports victims by

creating a T-visa that allows temporary U.S. citizenship and eligibility for permanent

residency after three years.

In 2003, TPVA became the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization

Act. Human trafficking victims have the right to sue their traffickers. The act has

provisions to protect victims and their families from being deported. “It is a requirement

that the Attorney General report to Congress annually on activities of the U.S.

government in the fight against trafficking” (Current Federal Laws, 2019).

2005, a pilot program was created for survivors of human trafficking that shelters

adolescents and grants for local and state law enforcement. TVPRA of 2005, expands

measures of combating internationally and regulations on the government contracts to

ensure that organizations aren’t involved in human trafficking.

TVPRA of 2008, includes new policies that require the government to give information

to victims that that have a t visa on workers’ rights when applying for employment. “In

addition to the prevention strategies, the 2008 reauthorization expanded the

protections available with the T visa and required that all unaccompanied alien children

be screened as potential victims of human trafficking” (Current Federal Laws, 2019).

The act gives sanctions and definitions on different types of trafficking that can be use

for prosecution.

In 2013 the policy was amended to reflect the Violence Against Women Act to ensure

the US doesn’t purchase goods that were made by human traffickers. Emergency

responses were put into effect so if areas that are in crises where people may be

trafficked receive quick assistance. This policy being reauthorized has brought local and

state law officials the ability to prosecute traffickers with ease.

The United States and several countries have combatted and implemented policies that

protect victims and punish offenders. Raising awareness about the affects of human

trafficking are a common goal that US stands behind. Conducting human trafficking

research and educating the public is needed. “There is a need for the United States to

continue to strengthen a domestic and transnational agenda to combat human

trafficking” (American Psychological Association, 2017).

Currently, the National Immigration Justice Center is opposing the TVPRA. The agency

states that the rolling back on protection for children in Mexico and the region. The

agency feels denying protection will not tackle the present border issues. National

Immigration Justice Center suggest using funding to address the causes of migration

and reinstate protection to children and families who seek aid in their native country.

The fight for protection and ending human trafficking continues to be a global concern.

References:

Current Federal Laws (2019). Retrieved from https://polarisproject.org/current-

federal-laws American Psychological Association. 2017. Resolution on Human Trafficking in the United States, Especially of Women and Girls. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Retrieved from: http://www.apa.org/about/policy/trafficking-women-girls.aspx.

Barner, J. R., Okech, D., & Camp, M. A. (2014). Socio-economic inequality, human trafficking, and the global slave trade. Societies, 4, 148–160. doi:10.3390/soc4020148

Beck, D. C., Choi, K. R., Munro-Kramer, M. L., & Lori, J. R. (2016). Human trafficking

in Ethiopia: A scoping review to identify gaps in service delivery, research, and

policy. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 1–12. doi:10.1177/1524838016641670

Berg, R.C., Landreth, G.L., & Fall, K.A. (2018). Group counseling: Concepts and

procedures (6th ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.

Farr, K. (2016). Trafficking in Women and Girls: Commodification for Profit.

In Borderline Slavery (pp. 67-88). Routledge.

Hachey, L. M., & Phillippi, J. C. (2017). Identification and management of human

trafficking victims in the emergency department. Advanced Emergency Nursing

Journal, 39(1), 31-51.

Holosko, M. J., Dulmus, C. N., & Sowers, K. M. (2012). Social work practice with

individuals and families: Evidence-informed assessments and interventions.

John Wiley & Sons.

National Association of Social Workers (2011). Code of ethics of the National

Association of Social Workers.

Reid, J. A., Baglivio, M. T., Piquero, A. R., Greenwald, M. A., & Epps, N. (2017). Human

trafficking of minors and childhood adversity in Florida. American journal of

public health, 107(2), 306-311.

Tepfenhart, O., (2016). A history of human trafficking in modern America. Retrieved

from: https://www.rebelcircus.com/blog/history-human-trafficking-modern-

america/5/

Williamson, C., & Prior, M. (2009). Domestic minor sex trafficking: A network of

underground players in the Midwest. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma,

2(1), 46–61.

ADD

Analysis of the Policy The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) was reauthorized in 2003,

2005, and 2008 as the Trafficking Victim’s Protection Reauthorization Act

(TVPRA), and each reauthorization offered positive changes. The provision of helpful

resources supporting holistic services for survivors and allowing law enforcement to

explore cases, to hold culprits accountable, and to avoid human trafficking, forced labor,

and modern slavery from occurring, prevent U.S. foreign assistance from going to

countries that utilize child soldiers (Policy Priorities (2019). For example,

Massachusetts, regarded as one of the most improved states by the Polaris

Project, formed a Human Trafficking Task Force, which toughens the protections for

victims of trafficking and makes using the internet as a trafficking tool a punishable

offense. Indict the confiscation of identity documents, a prevalent form of coercion that

traffickers use to exploit victims. It enhances law enforcement dimension to fight sex

tourism by extending jurisdiction under the 2003 PROTECT Act to indict U.S. citizens

living abroad who commercially sexually exploit children. Policy’s Weaknesses

Unfortunately, there is nearly universal consensus that the Trafficking Act, while well-

intentioned has thus far unsuccessful in taking sufficient steps in addressing the

problem of human trafficking, either internationally or domestically. The border

interdiction strategies, harsh penalties for undocumented migrant workers, and

insufficient labor protections for all workers, but particularly undocumented migrants,

all interact to facilitate trafficking, notwithstanding the TVPA (Yoo & Boyle, 2015). The

TVPA addresses human trafficking crimes and enhances the existing crimes of peonage,

involuntary servitude, and slavery. Ironically, with this lack of cooperation, few human

trafficking prevalence studies have been conducted. What is Working?

Anti-trafficking efforts have even been linked with the campaign against terrorism that

has been the centerpiece of the current Administration's foreign policy agenda after

September 11, 2001. The Act added a new prohibition on forced labor, which provides

up to a twenty-year sentence for anyone who knowingly offers or obtains the labor or

services of a person who has been forced into performing labor or services (Policy

Priorities (2019). The TVPA expressly criminalizes trafficking by legislating that any

individual who knowingly recruits, harbors, transports provide or obtain by any means,

any person for labor or services in violation of the TVPA is subject to a twenty-year

sentence, or a life sentence if the victim is younger than fourteen years old. What is not Working?

These resolutions are challenging, however, as there is no one means to address the

variations in trafficking across the world. Different cultures, economics, and religions all

make laws intricate to implement, and corruption, cultural interpretations, and various

systems of justice make them even more challenging to enforce. Also, human trafficking

and forced labor criminal cases are frequently complicated and lengthy legal

proceedings that entail further resources for prosecutors as well as for victims. Several

of these victims necessitate complete case management offered by victim services

organizations to see them through their recovery, aid them in navigating the legal

system and deliver assistance to law enforcement, all of which are essential to prosecute

criminal enterprises involved in human trafficking.

References

Policy Priorities (2019). Retrieved from https://endslaveryandtrafficking.org/policy-

priorities/

Yoo, E., & Boyle, E. H. (2015). National Human Trafficking Initiatives: Dimensions of

Policy Diffusion. Law & Social Inquiry, 40(3), 631–663. https://doi-

org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1111/lsi.12115