Human Trafficking

Understanding the social impact of human trafficking

Introduction

Human trafficking has taken numerous forms throughout history, and cases have dictated

since biblical times where the Egyptians enslaved the Israelites. Humanity has taken a liking to

exploit other people to accomplish their own goals and desires. Human trafficking became a threat

to a more vulnerable group and allowed others to thrive in a demoralized wicked industry (Bonilla,

2019). Anyone can become a victim of the crime no matter the sex, age, or background. As

society progresses, crime does the same; human trafficking is the perfect example; traffickers have

adapted and molded their tactics to today’s modern world. Traffickers use creative tactics to lure

their victims, offering opportunities for employment or education.

The United Nations defines human trafficking as “the recruitment, transportation, transfer,

harboring, or receipt of people through force, fraud, or deception, to exploit them for profit”

(United Nations, n.d.). This industry has generated an annual turnover of billions of dollars,

affecting a countries society, economy, health, and laws (Cormack, 2011). Human trafficking is

one of the most significant growing crimes society faces. Understanding the social impact this

crime brings is crucial to the prevention and victim assistance after the crime and molding the

future laws and the support of law enforcement.

Body:

The Victims:

This black market business targets vulnerable people in society. Human trafficking views

some people as an asset or source of income. Usually, when thinking of human trafficking, society

has an image of a young woman that has been kidnap, drug, and transported to another location;

this might have some truth, but this is not always the case. Traffickers use psychological

manipulation to have a better success rate in luring the victim. However, it does not mean that

violence and aggression are not used; on the other hand, it brings unwanted attention. This is why

the traffickers prefer manipulation and psychological abuse; besides luring the victims, it keeps

them enslaved. This evidence shows how the victim's state of mind is weaponized by the

traffickers against them, explaining why victims may have a chance to escape but do not take it due

to how vulnerable they feel (Withers, Ph.D., M.H.S, 2018). The impact left on surviving victims is

a harsh reality, no matter the type of human trafficking. However, the type of human trafficking

can determine the level of physical and psychological risk the surviving victims may encounter.

The psychological aftermath left on the victim after surviving human trafficking is immense.

Different studies have shown that surviving victims demonstrate high levels of Post-Traumatic

Stress Disorder (PTSD). Some of these effects can lead to cognitive impairment, memory loss, and

depression. Leaving victims to experience different levels of mental health; some may experience

anxiety, fear, and trauma that can end in suicide at times (Human Trafficking Search, 2017 para 2).

The evidence shows what the victims encounter after they experience such a heinous crime and

how it can lead to suicide if not treated properly.

Human Trafficking Laws

Human Trafficking has a global impact depriving victims of their human rights and

freedom. It is a global health risk. It fuels the growth of organized crime, making it a multi-

dimensional threat (U.S. Department of State, 2004). This crime impacts the victims and their

families and poses a threat to the safety and security of all nations. The United States has taken a

stern approach towards human trafficking. In one of former President Bush's speeches to the

United Nations General Assembly, he brought awareness of the growing issue human trafficking

poses towards the world, asking world leaders to work together to end it. During 2003, Congress

contributed more than $70 million to strengthened anti-trafficking legislation and with the efforts

of ending modern slavery. Due to the seriousness of human trafficking, the United States Congress

has passed a series of bills protecting trafficking victims with a series of laws prohibiting any act

that may influence or encourage human trafficking (U.S. Department of State, 2004). Also, one of

the most prominent types of human trafficking is sex trafficking. The United States Congress

acknowledges that and passes The William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection

Reauthorization Act of 2008, which aims to prevent and deter trafficking. One of the significant

points of this Act is the inflicting criminal liability to those involved in the crime that knowingly

intended to recruit and defraud workers from outside the United States promising employment

under false claims (United States Department of Justice, 2016 para 21). As human trafficking

evolves, laws have to do the same to combat crime, which one of those advancements is The

William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008.

Law enforcement role

Law enforcement has trouble depicting routine crime vs. human trafficking cases. The

distinction between the two is a fine line and not very apparent to those without a keen eye for such

a situation. Furthermore, responding to it once it has been identified is also a hard task. Officers

may not want to intervene for lack of understanding of the situation. On the other hand,

immigration could also threaten how officers try and dismantle a situation. Truthfully, there is no

straightforward answer or mathematical solution to which an officer can identify human

trafficking. This is something that has to be thoroughly sought and pursued with experience. Law

enforcement should have a good amount of personnel dedicated to human trafficking significantly

since the number of victims increases each year exponentially. It is sad to say that this is not the

case. The percentage of cases to the ratio of agencies dedicated to human trafficking is

astronomically low. Only 4% of law enforcement agencies are committed to looking into human

trafficking in their area, overworking the officers assigned to this department (Guardian Group,

2021 page 3). This evidence demonstrates the lack of personnel assign to combat this crime and

how it can do a disservice to the victims.

Conclusion

It is not a secret that human trafficking is one of the most atrocious crimes that deprive the

victim of any freedom. This crime has been developed and taken a different form throughout the

centuries. Using psychological manipulation and deceiving victims, traffickers leave such an

imprint in their victims that even if they can escape physically; mentally, their battle has just begun

to attempt to get some normality in their lives. Victims who survive have to battle physical and

mental health issues. Knowing how broad the crime can be can help prevent and bring awareness

to communities to assist the victims better. Funding and training to local law enforcement are

critical to the war against human trafficking. Understanding is crucial in providing support,

molding, and creating laws to follow the continuous changes of the crime, providing the tools and

personnel to law enforcement to help combat this crime.

References

Bonilla, T., & Mo, C. H. (2019). The evolution of human trafficking messaging in the United

States and its effect on public opinion. Journal of public policy, 39(2), 201-234. Retrieved

from https://doi:10.1017/S0143814X18000107

Cormack, F. (2011). Helpdesk Research Report: The impact of human trafficking on people and

countries Query: Please provide an overview of the impacts of human trafficking on people

and countries. http://gsdrc.org/docs/open/hd780.pdf

Guardian Group. (2021, May 3). Sex Trafficking in America - 2021 Report. Guardian Group.

https://guardiangroup.org/sex-trafficking-in-america-2021-report/?

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JiI81BgMcSbkDgEM6zZxxUP2j0lKBSNTPtC--4aXB49vmo_AMQxoCRrsQAvD_BwE

Human Trafficking Search. (2017). Impact. Human Trafficking Search.

https://humantraffickingsearch.org/impact/

U.S. Department of State. (2004). FACTS ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING. https://2001-

2009.state.gov/documents/organization/33216.pdf

United Nations. (n.d.). Human-Trafficking. United Nations : Office on Drugs and Crime.

https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-Trafficking/Human-Trafficking.html

United States Department of Justice. (2016, December 9). Human Trafficking: Key Legislation.

Justice.gov. https://www.justice.gov/humantrafficking/key-legislation

Withers, Ph.D., M.H.S, M. (2018). Psychological Tactics Used by Human Traffickers. Psychology

Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/modern-day-slavery/201610/

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