Setting the record straight: What we should all know about trafficking
What is human trafficking?
Human trafficking is an unduly profitable industry that exploits its victims for commercial sex, labor or servitude. Most often, trafficking victims are held against their will, either physically or through the use of deception, violence, threats, false promises, fraud, coercion and psychological manipulation.
Human trafficking is an international and domestic crime (in many but not all US states), as well as a severe human rights violation. However, the laws for traffickers are not strict enough and do not adequately protect victims.
Who is vulnerable to sex trafficking?
Traffickers, pimps and johns frequently target runaways and individuals with a history of abuse. These populations are easy and malleable targets because of their unique circumstances, and traffickers take advantage of this opportunity to manipulate and profit from their emotional vulnerability.
Despite the fact that certain populations have been identified as vulnerable, there is no single population that is exclusive to being trafficked. One of the most frightening but unaccepted facts of this industry is that anyone can be a victim.
Where does sex trafficking take place?
Pimps, johns and traffickers often operate out of different locations and not permanent residences or businesses, in an effort to prevent suspicion. However, businesses such as massage parlors often front as venues for sex trafficking and in other unassuming locations. Trafficking also occurs in hotels, strip clubs, through escort services (advertised on backpage.come and Craig’s List) hostels, brothels and truck stops and on the street. One of the greatest obstacles in eradicating this industry, apart from its demand and profitability, is the fact that it operates surreptitiously and in both illegal and legal settings. It is difficult to track its operators and even more difficult to locate victims, as many do not self-identify as victims and may be unable to communicate for help.
Sex trafficking also occurs at large events, such as the World Cup and Olympics. The high demand at such events has led many traffickers to cross both state and international lines, and puts the victims lives in danger.
Are victims protected by pimps or traffickers?
No. It is a misconception that sex trafficking victims are seen as “equals” or “business partners” who receive money for being trafficked. Internationally, particularly in Asia, women and children are sold into trafficking by their family due to poor socio-economic conditions, with the pimps and family receiving the money. There is practically no protection for victims in developing countries due to government corruption and the unsettling fact that police officers and government officials are often the pimp’s customers. Domestically, men, women and children being trafficking in the United States are not protected either. Pimps operate based on daily quotas, and victims often face serious consequences for not meeting these quotas.
While laws exist that prosecute traffickers and pimps, victims are often not assisted as well as they could. Young girls often appear, in the eyes of the law, as prostitutes rather than trafficking victims.
For more information on Human and Sex Trafficking, please visit the Polaris Project:
Sex Trafficking in NYC
JFK Airport is the number one location in the country where trafficked individuals are transported. With New York as a primary location for the industry, we must do all we can to prosecute pimps and traffickers, protect victims, and eradicate the sex industry by decreasing the demand.
Legislation: How is New York taking steps to end trafficking? (Information courtesy of http://www.stophumantraffickingny.org )
· New York Anti-Human Trafficking Law (2007): Clearly defines human trafficking, delineated comprehensive services for victims, officiated more pronounced laws on sex tourism, increased penalties for patronized prostitution (it is not an A misdemeanor), and pronounced sex trafficking as a class B felony.
The problem: Since 2007, severe state and city budget cuts have dissolved services for trafficking victims. With nearly half of trafficking victims suffering from PTSD, it is crucial that psychological and social services be provided to victims so they can rebuild their lives. Additionally, it is difficult to locate pimps and traffickers and is therefore difficult to prosecute them.
What can we do? Educate the public about trafficking, promoting and practicing gender equality, racism, initiating a committed relationship with law enforcement and creating productive alternatives to generating income. If we take these small steps, we can help decrease demand and increase the likelihood that trafficking can one day become obsolete.
The Numbers
Due to its underground nature, it is difficult to enumerate exactly how many victims exist. Most often, victims are unable to contact others for help and such ambiguity greatly decreases the chances that accurate numbers exist.
· 700K-4 million: The number of girls and women trafficked annually, world wide, each year.
· Someone becomes a victim of sex trafficking every 30 seconds.
· Girls as young as 7 years old are being trafficked and sexually exploited in this industry.
· 14: The average age for sex trafficking victims in Asian brothels.
· $19 billion: Estimated amount of money trafficking generates annually (according to INTERPOL).
· 2,200: The number of children in New York that are annually exploited in the sex industry (information courtesy of GEMS).
· 100K-300k: The number of children at risk for sexual exploitation in the United States each year (information courtesy of GEMS).
