THE TECHNOLOGYTRAFFICKING NEXUS

Emerging Technologies And Their Relationship To Human Trafficking

By Olivia Riess

Contextualizinghumantrafficking

Human trafficking is one of the most prominent humanitarian crises that exist today. It is an intersectional issue that is defined in two instances: sex trafficking and forced labor. In addition to race, gender, disability, age, and class, other factors, such as migration status and economic instability, can increase vulnerability to human trafficking Therefore, ending human trafficking requires addressing the root causes, such as poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to education and opportunities. It also requires a comprehensive approach that involves law enforcement, civil society, governments, and the private sector to prevent trafficking, protect victims, and prosecute perpetrators.

Sex trafficking victims are disproportionately women of color, many under the age of 18. In Louisiana alone, we can see this as an intersectional issue as “black girls represent 49% of child sex trafficking victims, even though they comprise only 19% of Louisiana’s population of youth.” [1] There is a range of misconceptions surrounding human trafficking that can hinder efforts to address this issue Common misconceptions may include the notion that human trafficking only happens in developing countries or in certain industries, such as the sex industry, however, human trafficking is a global issue that can occur in any industry, including agriculture, domestic work, and manufacturing and can happen in any country, including developed countries.

Combattinghumantraffickingwithtechnology

Unfortunately, many advancements in technology have been exploited to aid perpetrators of human trafficking. New tech such as instant and secure communication, remote control of victims using GPS location apps, and the use of cryptocurrency or receiving and moving illegitimate profits through cryptocurrency have all been employed as a tactic to maintain HT operations. However, new technologies also have the potential to play a critical role in the fight against human trafficking by helping to identify and prevent trafficking activity, and by providing support and resources to victims. [2]