Human Trafficking

Introduction

I. Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings for the purposes of reproductive slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, forced labor, or a modern-day form of slavery. II. Human trafficking is a human rights violation at every stage of the trafficking process. It is a crime against dignity and integrity of person. It may include deprivation of liberty, cruel and degrading treatment, physical and psychological violence, theft of documents and property, sexual abuse, labor violations, deprivation of access to medical care and education among others offences. III. Often used by the term of ‘modern slavery’, trafficking has a broad global impact as well. It weakens legitimate economies, fuels violence, threatens public health and safety, shatters families, and shreds the social fabric that is necessary for progress. IV. Today I would like to inform you about what is human trafficking, who are the likely victims and the traffickers and how to end it.

(Transition: Let’s start with what is human trafficking)

Body

I. Right now, the largest slave trade in history is taking place around the world. A. As quoted from www.endhumantraffickingnow.com the definition is structured around three major elements: 1. ACT: Human trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring and/or receipt of a person. 2. MEANS: It can be the threat or use of force, deception, abduction, the abuse of power or a position of vulnerability, or other forms of coercion. 3. PURPOSE: The purpose of human trafficking is exploitation, which can include the prostitution of others, forced labor, slavery or servitude. B. There is an estimated 2.5 million people are in forced labor (including sexual exploitation) at any given time as a result of trafficking of these:

1. 1.4million – 56% – are in Asia and the Pacific 2. 250,000 – 10% – are in Latin America and the Caribbean 3. 230,000 – 9.2% – are in the Middle East and Northern Africa 4. 130,000 – 5.2% – are in sub-Saharan countries 5. 270,000 – 10.8% – are in industrialized countries 6. 200,000 – 8% – are in countries in transition

(Transition: Now that you know about human trafficking, let’s look at who is involving in the issue.)

II.Human trafficking affects women and children, normally. The majority of trafficking victims are between 18 and 24 years of age. A. According to the www.unglobalcompact.com , 43% of victims are used for forced commercial sexual exploitation, of which 98 per cent are women and girls. B. In 54% of cases the recruiter was a stranger to the victim, 46% of cases the recruiter was known to victims. 1. Traffickers recruit women and children through deceptive means including falsified employment advertisements for domestic workers, waitresses and other low-skilled work. Traffickers include those involved in highly sophisticated networks of organized crime and may be as close to home as a relative to the victim. 2. Victims of trafficking are subject to gross human rights violations including, rape, torture, forced abortions, starvation, and threats of torturing or murdering family members.

(Transition: Given the severity of who’s involved in the issue, lets discuss on how to end human trafficking)

III.Report to the authority if there any information regarding the human trafficking process or situation. C. Volunteer on organizations that involve in the campaigns against human trafficking. 1. Due to the clandestine nature of human trafficking, the majority of cases go unreported and traffickers continue to remain free 2. The prevention of human trafficking requires action by all relevant sectors of society, such as the business sector, media and artistic community.

D. Increase awareness among society and surroundings. 1. In order to prevent human trafficking, awareness-raising is vital, especially but not only in developing countries, so that people are alerted of the possibility that the offers presented to them are not always what they appear to be. a. Advocate: engage with communities and professionals to create an environment where it is harder to traffic, hide and exploit people 2. It is imperative to provide psychological and/or physical recovery measures and support. It is also crucial that the victims are given integration opportunities such as the regularization of their status, employment, training, housing and medical care.

Conclusion

I. As we have seen, human trafficking affects millions of people. As such, it is important to know about the issue, who is the victim and
traffickers and how to end it. II. As we speak, human trafficking is still at large especially in the third world countries which poverty and exploitations are main causes of why it happens. III. We need to provide a better surrounding for our family and country where the people can feel safe and no women or children are hurt and exploited around us. IV. Human trafficking is a human rights violation at every stage of the trafficking process. It is a crime against dignity and integrity of person and it is up to us to take action on the traffickers.

Bibliography

Internet Sources

Human Trafficking, Modern-day Slavery, Forced Labor and Debt Bondage. “Human Trafficking & Modern-day Slavery.” Retrieved 12 Nov 2011 from http://gvnet.com/humantrafficking/

Stop Human Trafficking. “Combatting Human Trafficking.” Retrieved 12 Nov 2011 from http://www.stophumantraffic.com/combat_trafficking.html

UN GIFT. Global Inititative to Fight Human Trafficking. “Human Trafficking:The Facts.” Retrieved 12 Nov 2011 from http://www.unglobalcompact.org

Educational Information. “Human Trafficking Facts & Figures.” Retrieved 12 Nov 2011 from http://humanrightsteam.org/educational-information/human-trafficking-facts-figures/

End Human Trafficking Now. “PPP Prevention, Prosecution & Protection.” Retrieved 12 Nov 2011 from http://www.endhumantraffickingnow.com/prevention_prosecution_protection.php