6 minute read
huMAN TRAffICKINg AND SExuAL ExPLOITATION
by Juanita Headley
Tackling modern slavery and human trafficking is a complex and daunting challenge, especially in countries where child labour is prevalent and where there are large numbers of migrant workers. Multinationals are required to report on such risks in their supply chain – particularly where their operations cross multiple borders. Corporations are asked to state what steps or measures are being taken to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in supply chains, or within their business.
Human trafficking is an equal opportunity employer, and just as has been evident in past months with the virus and subsequent lockdown, it does not discriminate, regardless of a person’s creed, colour, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, economic or celebrity status.
No country is exempt from the scourge of this modern-day slavery. On the contrary it exists in even the most beautiful parts of the world, is often hidden in plain sight and is very much present in our very own backyard. One of society’s greatest shame, is the turning of a blind eye to the needs and pain of others in its own community.
Too often in Trinidad and Tobago, the practice has been to ignore these social issues unless it lands on our doorstep. While there are seemingly valid reasons for such a mindset, primarily fear for one’s own safety, such caution may sometimes be at the expense of another life.
Having visited Trinidad and Tobago consistently over the past 5 years I have observed a growing trend where the topic of human trafficking is being brought more to the forefront. Media reporting on this issue is on the increase which means one of two things. Either trafficking is on the increase, or more worryingly, it is only now surfacing as a national issue.
Assuming the latter is true, mainstream media, movies, and fiction books can be attributed to the heightened sensitivity by residents to human trafficking. What needs to happen next is widespread education and knowledge sharing to build a better understanding of the aspects of trafficking which could aid detection and early intervention.
For instance, the concept of trafficking is not well understood. For example, popular movies like ‘Taken’, suggests that trafficking requires movement of persons. On the contrary, as evidenced by the Palermo Protocol: “Trafficking in persons” shall mean the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.”
The Protocol highlights that transportation is not a requisite element in the offence of trafficking but is instead a possibility. The reality of this is that a person could be born in Port of Spain, live in Port of Spain and be trafficked in Port of Spain. Where parents, guardians, caregivers or even
huMAN TRAffICKINg AND SExuAL ExPLOITATION
Sharing with counselling psychologists at Dolly & Associates
landlords (as in the case of migrants), engage in the commoditization of a human being, there is often no need for that person to ever leave the confines of their own bedroom to be ‘trafficked’.
A Trinidad Newsday article dated February 16, 2018, makes reference to one such case in which a 13-year-old girl alleges that her mother was prostituting her. Although trafficking requires 3 elements: Act, Means and Purpose, the 2nd element is not required when an offence involves a minor. As shocking as this case may have seemed it is nothing new, in certain communities around the world it is expected of the girl child to “work” in prostitution to support her family.
Of course, the reality is that prostitution is not work despite being legalized in some countries. On the contrary, it involves a transaction, often with a man, considered to be a “customer,” and a female who one would assume is the “product.” In some island states where the sale of underage girls and boys for sex is prevalent, we witness exploitation. This is nothing other than paid rape. A child or woman selling their body on a street corner may not be there by choice. Some of these actions are driven by real needs – e.g. the inability to care for one’s family, overdue bills, insufficient money for school fees – these all demonstrate perceptions about choice.
However, it is important to point out that it is not just economic deprivation that places someone at risk of exploitation – very often, as in the case of minors, all that is required is vulnerability.
Human trafficking is not just about migrant women crossing borders for economic reasons. It also includes women and girls being sold through online exploitation, from what should be the comfort and safety of their own home.
Parents and caregivers need to be sensitized to identify red flags in attitudes and behaviours of minors in their care. ‘Stranger danger’ is far less of a risk when compared to the violations by a relative or close family friend. Unfortunately, with the advent of Covid-19, many young persons are cooped up in vulnerable situations and less likely to be able to share with a friend or teacher.
huMAN TRAffICKINg AND SExuAL ExPLOITATION
A CHAllenge to Sd8 - deCent woRk And eConomiC gRowtH (ContinUed)
There must be increased transparency and open conversation if we are to put a stop to human trafficking and sexual exploitation. My book, “Can You Keep A Secret?” discusses the links between child sexual abuse and human trafficking, provides signs and identifiers of exploitation and gives valuable advice on how to handle disclosures.
Promoting the Movie Screening of SOLD on Tobago Channel 5
More needs to be done, and not just by the local government. Grassroots organisations need to be established to provide aftercare support, and first responders need to be trained to identify human trafficking and to respond appropriately.
Juanita Headley is a pro bono licensed N.Y. attorney, an international speaker on human trafficking and child abuse, the author of “Can You Keep A Secret?” and the Founder and CEO of Changing Cases. You can connect with Juanita on Facebook at Changing Cases or on IG: changingcasescykas.
Launched in June 2020, “Can You Keep A Secret?” is a very honest account of Juanita’s life and experiences around the world and will provide valuable information to those seeking to assist in the restoration of those suffering in silence.
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