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Human Trafficking

When people think of human trafficking, different images come to mind. Many people see a group of people crowded in the back of a truck, transported from one country to another in deplorable conditions. These people were most likely kidnaped, coerced, or lured by other means, such as the promise of financial gain. Another possible image is a group of people, including children, who are forced to work long hours and then turn over their wages to their traffickers. Human trafficking can be defined as the use of forceful and exploitative means such as kidnapping or force to exploit people for sexual acts or forced labor. There are many kinds of human trafficking, such as sex trafficking, child soldiers, forced marriages, organ harvesting, labor exploitation, among many others. Governments around the world have to work together to put an end to human trafficking, especially for poor and vulnerable populations.

In the United States, the Department of Homeland Security website is a useful source of information about human trafficking. Many people do not understand the basic definitions of human trafficking, especially those that may be happening around them. One of the myths surrounding human trafficking is that it only happens to poor people, especially in impoverished countries (DHS). This idea is utterly false, as anyone can fall victim to human trafficking. Victims of human trafficking come from all genders, socioeconomic groups, countries, races, and religious groups. Every individual must be vigilant on the issue. Another point of false information is that victims of trafficking seek help most of the time. The truth is that these victims are bound to their traffickers through various means, such as threats of violence to their families. They may also not have the necessary identification documents to help them escape.

Human trafficking is essentially a form of modern slavery because a person takes total control over another’s life. This begs the question of what exactly should be done to curb this ever-present threat that affects hundreds of thousands of people each year. The Thomson Reuters Foundation offers several solutions, the first of which is to allow the fight to be led by survivors. Only a person who has been a victim of human trafficking understands the experience, and this positions them to come up with useful solutions (Millar 1). Another way to end this type of modern slavery is to adjust attitudes. Although people think human trafficking involves the use of chains and handcuffs that result in scars, such sensational images do not accurately represent human trafficking. Traffickers use psychological means to hold their victims captive.

In conclusion, there needs to be increased awareness on the issue of human trafficking. Every individual should be educated on how to identify victims and perpetrators of human trafficking and report to local authorities. Countries should also have stricter measures around their borders to protect vulnerable people from trafficking. Only coordinated efforts can protect all people. In addition, identified traffickers should be persecuted with harsh punishments to deter others. It is quite tragic that in these modern times, slavery is still an issue for millions around the world.

Works Cited

“What is Human Trafficking?” Homeland Security. https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/what-human-traffickingMillar, Molly. “Scapegoats to supply chains: Five aims for the anti-slavery fight in 2020.” Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-trafficking-targets-yearender/scapegoats-to-supply-chains-five-aims-for-the-anti-slavery-fight-in-2020-idUSKBN1YZ04I