Human Trafficking
Hundreds of years have passed since William Wilberforce led the effort to make slavery illegal. He managed to put an end to the transatlantic trade of African slaves, but our world has yet to rid itself of the scourge of slavery.
In fact, there are more people enslaved today than in any other time in human history. So much for progress.
But how can this be? Aren't we now an enlightened society? Don't we live under the rule of law?
The problem is that slavery, mostly, is invisible. Especially trafficking.
Human trafficking has been called "modern-day slavery." Some law enforcement agencies rank it as the second-largest criminal activity in the world, tied with illegal arms trading, following closely after the drug trade.
But it often goes unnoticed. And sometimes, it does look legal.
Human trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation, harbouring or exercising control, direction or influence over a person for the purpose of exploiting them. The most common forms are forced labour or sexual exploitation.
Human trafficking occurs across international and domestic borders. Girls are shipped from Cambodia to China. Moldovan women end up in German brothels. African women are forced to service customers in the red light district of the Netherlands.
Lured by promises of a better life, and often of economic stability and freedom, individuals even come to North America. The documents may be legal. But when they arrive, they are forced to work in inhumane situations, often to pay back illegitimate debts owed to those who brought them here. Victims of human trafficking often can't speak English and are denied the opportunity to learn. Even if they have someone to confide in, they may not be able to.
Some seek help, but few find it. Many are deported, only to be re-trafficked upon arrival. A victims family often reap the consequences of her attempt at freedom.
But it happens within North America, too. Women and children are the most common targets. People living in poverty are often victims. Aboriginal peoples are often targets or children without families.
Human trafficking produces over $12 billion annually. It makes a few people rich and exposes vast areas of poverty. It calls us to consider our economics: who produces the goods we buy and sell, and how those things are made. It forces us to consider our relationships: who we include and exclude, how we view families, what we consider love.
Where does human trafficking happen? Everywhere.
Who does it involve? In a word- everyone.
Meagan Gillmore is a freelance writer with a passion to end human trafficking
About the Author
Meagan Gillmore is a freelance writer with a passion to end human trafficking
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