Human Trafficking
By Tori Garner
English 4 2nd Block
Mr.Ganey October 25, 2017
Honors English IV Mr. Ganey
October 25, 2017
Human Trafficking
Many believe that slavery was abolished once and for all in 1865, however this is not the
case. The fact is, slavery still exists. Although the term slavery may not be used, human
trafficking is the equivalent to modern day slavery. Nearly 300,000 people fall victim to human
trafficking every year in the United States. (“Sex Trafficking…”). Those who are trafficked can be forced into sex or labor trafficking, which are the two main divisions of modern day slavery. Moreover, regardless of the unawareness of the severity of human trafficking or the lack of
knowledge about what it actually is, it still exists whether it is in the United States, internationally or right here in North Carolina.
“Human trafficking includes domestic servitude, forced labor, and commercial sex trafficking” (“Human Trafficking/Involuntary…”). According to A Safe Place, a safe house in Wilmington, North Carolina human trafficking is “the illegal movement of people, typically for the purposes of forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation”. Signs that a person is in danger or is involved in human trafficking are: suspicious tattoos, unexplained or conflicting stories
about injuries, evidence of controlling relationships, there is a third party present, lack of control of money or finances, and inappropriate attire for the weather or occasion. Some more minor signs are: the aversion of eye contact, signs of drugs and/or alcohol use, and a depressed mood
(VanZandt). Many traffickers will brand their enslaved women in some way whether it is a tattoo or a traditional brand. When those who are involved with this horrible crime are abused they will
handler mad causing them to be harmed further. Many will avoid eye contact because they are unaware of their self-worth. While in people are involved with the crime they are often told that
they are ugly or are not skinny enough or tall enough or curvy enough essentially on top of the possible, physical and/or emotional abuse they face verbal abuse which can harm one’s self-image. This verbal abuse is not necessarily always about image it could be for any number of
things.
Labor trafficking is capturing people without permission to work against their will. The
majority of those who are coerced into labor trafficking are indebted to their abuser (A Safe Place). Forced labor, a subcategory of the physical labor portion of modern day slavery, is when adults or children are convinced into working for a service or company. Domestic servitude is
also often included in this category. Domestic servitude is when people, who are local or of a different ethnicity are pressured to engage in domestic work for families or households through
force or persuasion (“Human Trafficking/Involuntary…”).
The sexual division of modern day slavery is separated into two main parts. The first section is domestic sex trafficking, which involves both minors and adults. The victims who are
under the age of eighteen are considered minors. Domestic sex trafficking can consist of, but is not limited to exotic dancing, escort services, massage services, phone sex, and pornography. For
any of these sex acts to be considered to be domestic sex trafficking, they have to be done by someone involuntarily and have to be in exchange for something. The item for trade does not have to be money (A Safe Place). The difference between minor sex trafficking and commercial
sex for adults is purely age. Adults are encouraged into sex trafficking through force, fraud, or coercion. Sex trafficking also includes those of international descent (“Human
The tragedy of human trafficking is typically thought to be purely an international issue. However, this is not the case. In fact, 80 percent of victims in 2011 were American citizens. Of
this 80 percent, 80 percent were females who were in the average age range of twelve to fourteen years old. Ninety percent of these girls were abused as children (“In Plain Sight”). One of the ways to spot that someone is being trafficked is by observing “a controlling relationship in
someone’s life where they are being forced to provide sexual services or to work” (VanZandt). Hot spots for predators to find new people to sell are malls, schools, online, motels, truck stops,
and massage parlors (“Sex Trafficking on…”). Vulnerable children are usually targeted.
Susceptible children are those who have been abused, lived in a split home or struggle with drugs and alcohol (A Safe Place). 75 percent of those who are involved in human trafficking attempt
suicide. The suicide rate is mainly due to the lack of self-worth, abuse, and poor conditions (“In Plain Sight”). Many if those who are affected struggle with the facts that most victims’ life
expectancy drops. The shortened life span has to do with the poor living conditions and lack of a desire to live. Victims are denied any kind of freedom or independence. Handlers often will not allow the sufferer out of his or her sight. The traffickers are aware of their wrong doings.
Therefore, they fear that they have to watch over their captured to insure that they will not leave or do something that is not allowed (A Safe Place).
Federally the terms “human trafficking” and “sex trafficking” have become more frequently used. Sex trafficking is typically used to describe the act of sex exploitation due to fraud, coercion, or force. The physical pressure or persuasion are from a third party. Technology
makes the recruitment easier. The government does not require evidence of collecting people through lying, persuasion, or physical abuse. According to federal law sex trafficking is felony.
order to achieve federal jurisdiction it depends upon the connection between states. Therefore, sexual trafficking laws are normally done by state. Moreover, sex trafficking is illegal in every
state, but the punishment varies between states. In 2014 the “federal Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families act requires” state involvement for fighting the crime of sex
trafficking. Children at higher risks are those who are on welfare case files, children who are in
foster care and have run away, children receiving assistance for adoption. The agencies of the state must report minors who are identified as sex trafficking victims to law enforcement within
24 hours. Two well know organizations that are not affiliated with the government that analyze the laws against human trafficking are Polaris and Shared Hope International (Musser).
Currently only 12 states have changed their laws to protect victims (Piner).
Forced labor or labor trafficking is all over the world. In fact, over 12.3 million suffer in labor trafficking internationally and 2.4 million of them are casualties because of human
trafficking. These poor people work “in agriculture, construction, domestic work or restaurants” . Some even are forced to shoplift or pick pocket which are illegal acts. Though the tragedy of forced labor is tittled differently than tradition slavery which was abolished in 1865 nothing has
changed. The freedom of choosing one's workplace or job is supposed to be protected by the constitution however, due to the elusiveness of the crime it is difficult to properly accuse those
who are breaking the law (Drumea).
Human trafficking is not only a problem in the United States and in North Carolina, but it is also a global issue. Internationally there are currently 20 to 30 million people enslaved. The
between prostitution and sex trafficking without intensive investigation. It is estimated that the crime produces $150 billion worldwide, and $32 billion in the United States. Of the nearly 30
billion affected 68 percent are in forced labor, which is like traditional slavery. “26 percent of them are children” and 55 percent of them “are women and girls”. “An estimated one out of six runaways reported to National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are likely” victims of
minor sex trafficking(“The Facts”). Eighty-six percent of said kids were in foster care social services before running away from home. The percentage of kids who are from foster care is
high because they run away trying to be independent and want find their purpose in life.
North Carolina is one of the top ten states in the United States for human trafficking. The main characteristic that make North Carolina a prime location for human trafficking is the easy
access to highways. A top city in North Carolina is Wilmington. This city is a place of concern because of the highway system [and it is] a corridor on the East Coast”. Even though trafficking
in North Carolina has the geographical aspects of a good place to host human trafficking the majority of its trafficking is through the internet (VanZandt). Due to the high rates of sexual slavery the North Carolina General assembly approved the Safe Harbor Law, which enables the
state to not persecute boys and girls under the age of 18 for prostitution. The Safe Harbor Law ensures that these boys and girls are seen as victims rather than criminals (McAdams). This law
creates less tension and pressure because the victims of sexual slavery for minors do not have to worry about being penalized for being tricked into the atrocious business. When those in the field of work are brave enough to reach out for help they should not be punished, hence why The Safe
Harbor Law is a great relief for those attempting to get out of the crime.
Wilmington is a place of high concern for the crime of sexual slavery because it is a
well as recruit new girls to get involved in the crime. Wilmington functions well as a destination spot because of the easy access to high ways such as 17, 117/133, 421 and 132. It is also a sex
trafficking hot spot because 25 percent of those who are brought to the United States are brought to the South East. Due to Wilmington being a source and destination spot a lot of the victims are not even transported. It is often a misconception that in order to be convicted for human
trafficking one has to be transported however, this is not the case (Piner).
One can only imagine what these victims have experienced. Many if they manage to
come out of the life have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Traumatic Bonding to the trafficker. When a victim is finally able to seek help and proceeds to leave the life it takes anywhere from 18 months to 5 years. Sadly many victims also end up giving up on their recovery and get back
into human trafficking. They will often get back into the crime when they realize life is hard and they have a shortage of money for bills (Piner)
In conclusion, human trafficking is an atrocious crime that should be ended. However it will take enormous amount of effort, much like the abolition of traditional slavery did in 1865. mover over through perseverance, dedication and awareness slavery could be put to an end once
and for all. Whether it is international in the United States or right here in North Carolina.
Works Cited
A Safe Place - Advocacy & Restoration for Victims of Sex Trafficking. A Safe Place, n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2017.
"Sex Trafficking on the Rise in Wilmington." WECT TV6: News and Weather for Wilmington, NC; WECT.com - WECT TV6-WECT.com:News, Weather & Sports
Wilmington, NC. WECT, 28 Nov. 2012. Web. 13 Sept. 2017.
"Human Trafficking/Involuntary Servitude." FBI. FBI, 03 May 2016. Web. 12 Sept. 2017. VanZandt, Lorin. Interview. 21 Sept. 2017.
“In Plain Sight - Documentary and Music Album - Natalie Grant.” In Plain Sight - Documentary on Sex Trafficking in the US - Natalie Grant, 11 Dec. 2015.
McAdams, Ann. "SPECIAL REPORT: Wilmington Human Trafficking Survivor." WECT TV6: Wilmington, NC. N.p., 26 Aug. 2013. Web. 06 Oct. 2017.
Musser, Ashley. "States, Federal Government Address Child Sex Trafficking." First Reading
(Legislative Research Unit), vol. 30, no. 4, June 2017, p. 1. EBSCOhost. Piner, Amanda. Interview. 12 Oct. 2017.
