End sex trafficking

Human Rights Final: Call to Action – End Sex Trafficking by Raising Awareness By: Dale De Mari December 8th, 2013

Why Raise Awareness?

Sex trafficking is often referred to as “modern day” slavery. Today, sex trafficking is a global epidemic, which robs women, men, and children of their individual human rights. When an individual is sex trafficked, their fundamental rights to life, liberty, and security as reflected in Article three of Universal Declaration of human rights are completely disregarded. Countries all over the world are taking strides to create organizations that advocate prohibiting sex trafficking practices.

Although these organizations exist, modern day sex traffickers are still able

to torture and degrade human beings. This is done by sex trafficker’s ability to exploit human beings who are already deprived of their human rights. Various human rights violations occur at different stages of the sex trafficking cycle (Sangalis). Sex trafficking goes against human rights standards and principles and the fight to end sexual exploitation is an ongoing battle.

One of today’s most severe human rights crises is the trafficking of human

beings into sexual slavery. On a global scale, the number of people trafficked each year is estimated to be in the millions. Sex trafficking is a highly profitable industry, which fuels its growth all over the world. It is reported that the sex trafficking of humans generates 30+ billion dollars annually. Over the next few years, global sex trafficking is expected to become the number two most profitable criminal activities, eventually surpassing the illegal drug trade. Every thirty seconds, a person falls

victim to sexual slavery and exploitation. Not only does sex trafficking rob individuals of their human rights by their captures, victims who escape are treated as criminals by law enforcement. The level of abuse, deprivation, and cruelty involved with sex trafficking calls for widespread attention to this issue.

Through the early 1900’s to present day, victims of sex trafficking range in

age, race, ethnicity, and sex. Individuals who traffic humans into sexual slavery are able to manipulate their victims and law enforcement. There is a growing number of people and organizations that believe by decriminalizing prostitution, the number of people sexually trafficked would start to decrease. Others argue that decriminalizing prostitution would not make a difference.

What must be done to combat sex traffickers

praying on the weak are increased awareness campaigns. Specifically, more awareness must be brought to the subject of young boys. Often, campaigns focus more on women and girls and forget how vulnerable young males are. Increasing campaigns to raise awareness of young boys should is vital, sex traffickers have become experts at grooming young boys in metropolitan areas (Knowles). The sad reality is that no one is safe from modern day traffickers.

These criminals know exactly how to pray upon their targets. Using techniques to tap into victims vulnerable side, these traffickers are quick and often fearless.

Sexual slavery is not a new topic, but our modern economy and society have

led to an increased demand. According to Fight Slavery Now, “The common thread in every instance is; ongoing exploitation through the use of force, fraud, or coercion”(FSN). Traffickers are opportunistic criminals. Because sex trafficking is

extremely profitable, traffickers are taking the opportunity make money. To follow the money trail, one must have evidence. When there is evidence that can be traced to a source, criminal activities either move their businesses elsewhere or get shut down by the police. Often, the money trail leads to complex criminal enterprises, which uses businesses such as taxi companies as fronts.

Modern Day Sex Trafficking Sex trafficking and drug dealing are the two biggest criminal enterprises.

Both sex trafficking and drug dealing combined is leading to an increase to extreme violence and abuse to victims of this trade. Florida ranks number one in with the highest potential of victims (MSNBC). Drug dealer Kerry Rodriguez was arrested earlier this year, in addition to finding drugs, law enforcement uncovered a sex trafficking ring out of his apartment (MSNBC). Rodriguez told law enforcement, “If you want them young, normally those we have to take by force. The key is to keeping them drugged and locked up, and have (them) at gunpoint” (MSNBC).

Who purchases sexually trafficked victims?

There is no one profile of the person who looks for sex. Often, people do not

think something such as sex trafficking could happen around them. The problem is sex trafficking is moving faster, joining forces with drug dealers and creating an extremely dangerous environment for these women, girls and boys. The man who purchases victims is western and eastern. In many countries though out the world, women and girls are treated as items, the entire world they live in has been exploited. Sexual tourism, the act of traveling for sex is a multi-­‐billion dollar business.

Conclusions Victims of sex trafficking need our support. These individuals have been beat down by every person in their lives. We must as a society come together and embrace giving second chances to people. Awareness must be raised because sex trafficking is living a life with a gun held to your head. Life for these workers is a

game of Russian Roulette. No one deserves a life that. It is important to keep supporting organizations, which are working to end this epidemic. There are several large non-­‐profit organizations that are fighting to end the problem, but the problem is bigger than them. Campaigns to support anti-­‐trafficking need higher visibility in places where trafficking is highest Florida, California, and New York. It is important to give a message to the johns out there, too. These men are why the industry thrives.

Sex trafficking has a horrible effect on mental, emotional, and physical well

being of the women and girls trapped by drug dealers and pimps (Soroptimist).

Victims also suffer extreme depression and suicidal thoughts. In addition, many victims do not leave the web of hell alive. The every day risk of living your life exposed to the most dangerous types of abuse is something no one should have to go through.

The Polaris Project: For a World Without Slavery has ten years of creating

positive impacts. Most importantly, the Polaris Project is working to change the way which individuals and communities perceive sex trafficking, both in the United States and internationally. The Polaris project has an agenda, which is geared at making the public aware of this human rights violation. Through pushing for stronger federal and state laws, operating the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline, conducting trainings, and providing victims of sex trafficking with resources needed emotionally and physically.

To end human trafficking, the Polaris Project focuses on running the following programs; •

National Human Trafficking Hotline

•

Policy Advocacy

•

Client Services

•

Training and Technical Assistance

•

Global Programs

Sex trafficking is a major problem in the Midwest, there are thousands of

people who are sex trafficked in Chicago each year. CAASE, Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, “Envisions a community free from all forms of sexual exploitation, including sexual assault and the commercial sex trade (CAASE). In addition, “CAASE addresses the culture, institutions, and individuals that perpetrate, profit from, or support sexual exploitation” (CAASE).

CAASE focuses their agenda to providing support in the following areas; •

Prevention

•

Policy and Advocacy

•

Community Engagement

•

Legal Services

Each of these services is highly needed through out Chicago land. CAASE is committed to ending this practice. Chicago is a great city for trafficking, the location, highways, and ease make it a heaven for criminals.

Plans for Direct Action: End Human Trafficking

By Raising Awareness

Take Action! Ways to Stop Human Trafficking ! In the Untied States, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Hotline at 888-­‐373-­‐7888 (24/7). ! Learn the red flags that may indicate human trafficking and ask questions. ! You can raise awareness at work, on campus, basically anywhere you go!

No direct action plan can be effective without positive examples of non-­‐violent direct action.

To raise awareness of the problem, these campaign flyers will be posted throughout gas stations, truck stops, highway motels, and restaurants.

This is phase-­‐one of an going project.

Objective: To end sexual exploitation and persecute those guilty of crimes against other humans.

Goals: Enhance community awareness and open up lines of communication.

Ultimately, end the commercial sex trade by making laws and regulations stricter.

Ending corruption and organized crime, which is how most sex trafficking operations are ran.

Audience -­‐ Campaign Reach

Communication campaigns are popular tools in promoting a pro-­‐stance message.

With widespread coverage, a successful media campaign can reach millions of people.

Target Audience – Core group affected by the problem: women and children.

People whose behavior we wish to change, as well as people who will influence those audiences.

Human trafficking exists because there are men who purchase these services.

We must take action and raise awareness to johns in the country and throughout the world. When your purchase a child or women for sexual exploitation, you are fueling the fire to this problem. Government action must crack down harder on johns who are repeat offenders. The message must become clear, this type of activity is wrong and goes against every type of fundamental human rights.

Get the message out there! Raise awareness by promoting CAASE or The Polaris Project on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

Do not sit by and wait, use the media to gain publicity for events and campaigns.

Think, how would I feel if this were me?

References

Kangaspunta, Kristina. "A Short History of Trafficking in Persons." Freedom From Fear Magazine -­‐ Freedom From Fear Magazine. UNICRI. Web. 20 Oct. 2013.

Knowles Wirsing, E. (2012). Outreach, Collaboration and Services to Survivors of Human Trafficking: The Salvation Army STOP-­‐IT Program's Work in Chicago, Illinois. Social Work & Christianity, 39(4), 466-­‐480. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://fightslaverynow.org/ Trymaine Lee (2013). Staggering report exposes US sex trafficking. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/sex-­‐trafficking-­‐america-­‐0.

[Last Accessed 5 December 13.

Soroptimist (). What is sex trafficking?. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.soroptimist.org/trafficking/faq.html. [Last Accessed 5 December 13].