How to Fight Human Trafficking?

Written By: Mariana Delgado Altamira and Michel Nieves Resendiz

Due to the complex nature of human trafficking, it is difficult to solve, but there are things that we can do to help end this heinous crime. To fight human trafficking, we must become educated on the topic. 

Due to the complex nature of human trafficking, it is difficult to solve, but there are things that we can do to help end this heinous crime. To fight human trafficking, we must become educated on the topic. That includes learning indicators of the crimes. According to the U.S. Department of State, these include individuals living with an employer, signs of physical abuse, or inability to speak to an individual alone. Also, it is vital to become familiar with the anti-trafficking efforts in your community and report any suspicious activity to the National Human Trafficking hotline: 1-888-373-7888. In addition, technology also plays a major role in solving this crime. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported that machines are being developed to learn algorithms that automatically analyze online commercial sex ads to reveal whether they are associated with human trafficking. They also noted they are working on facial recognition algorithms to identify the faces of potential victims. 

Human Trafficking Prevention Topic: Sextortion 

The Department of Defense defines sextortion as “a serious crime that occurs when the perpetrator threatens to distribute private and sensitive material if the victim doesn’t provide images of a sexual nature, sexual favors or money”. Explicit photographs of individuals posted online puts them at a greater risk of becoming victims of human trafficking. It is important to remember that sextortion attempts do not always come from strangers online. If a person is attempting to coerce you to share sexually explicit photos, this is an indication that the individual is not acting in your best interest. Sextortion threats should be taken seriously and reported to local law enforcement or directly to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov/1-800-CALL-FBI

Being Safe as We Chat

Now in days, youths are more prone to being victims of human trafficking, which is why it is important to stay safe on the internet. Social media, direct messaging apps, and even games online are all areas in which traffickers can get in contact with potential victims and recruit them. The first and most common sign is the show of concern and care for the potential victim, this makes it easier for the trafficker to gain the individual’s trust and manipulate them. Another technique is reversing the story, rather than convincing the victim to do anything against their will, they may start by coming off as a ‘victim’ themselves to then gain pity. The recruiter may say something along the lines of  “I thought you were older”, making it seem as if they were not fully aware of the situation, this way the victim would gain pity on them and be manipulated into committing unwillingful acts. We may see photos of the individual we chat with, but at the end of the day not everything we see online is true; it is important to be on a constant lookout and stay safe. We should also be cautious of any signs and techniques being used, because before we know it we may become a victim. That is why when in doubt, shut them out. 

Reference: Marcum, C.D. (2007). Interpreting the intentions of internet predators: An analysis of online chat room transcripts. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 16(4). Https://doi.10.1300/J07Ov16n04_06

Understanding Human Trafficking 

Trafficking of human beings is a worldwide crime that involves the exploitation of individuals for the sake of financial gain. It is a grave violation of human rights that has an impact on the lives of millions of people all over the globe. People who become victims of human trafficking are often duped, forced, or intimidated into agreeing to be trafficked and exploited by their traffickers. They could be made to do forced labor or be subjected to sexual exploitation. Additionally, they might be subjected to physical and psychological abuse, such as rape, torture, and other types of violence. To address the practice of human trafficking, efforts are being made by governments, international organizations, and civil society. Raising public awareness, establishing legal frameworks, and expanding access to educational possibilities, training, and job prospects are all important components of anti-trafficking efforts. In addition, governments are attempting to strengthen services for victims, such as making sure they have access to healthcare, legal support, and social protection. Overall, it is essential to acknowledge that people who have been victims of human trafficking are not themselves criminals and that they need care and assistance to heal from the trauma and exploitation that they have been subjected to. It is critical to ensure that victims have access to a variety of services, such as medical treatment, representation in legal matters, and aid in meeting their emotional and social requirements.

The Realities of Human Trafficking

We must be mindful that human trafficking is not always as obvious as we may think it is. When the term human trafficking comes to mind, for some it may invoke images of windowless vans, or older men asking children if they want free candy. In reality, human trafficking happens everywhere and can be done by those we least expect. From a suspicious character following you around a grocery store to a young woman asking if Jo she can use your cell phone, human traffickers can come in any form, and we could be none the wiser about their true intentions. As stated in the previous section, it is important to raise awareness for the issue, as well as methods being used by human traffickers to lure in their victims, that way people can know what signs to look out for to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. Parents should especially be sure to teach their children about these methods so that they can be safe in environments where their parents are not always present, like when walking home from school..