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Taydra Thomas
Mrs. J. Robotham
Period 1
March 31, 2016
The Characteristics of Human Trafficking and How Can It Be Solved

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Research Paper Outline

Introduction:
a. Human trafficking has become an ongoing problem within our society. Over 27
million people from all over the world are currently being forced into modern slavery. It has
become a problem that is becoming harder to tame as years go by.
b. Human trafficking is a heinous crime that should be eliminated and
solved by harsher punishments, stricter government control, and greater fines for traffickers.
Background Paragraph: Definition, Major contributing factors, what causes human trafficking,
Subtopic 1: Historical Overview/ Orientation:, Recruitment, who is involved, current efforts to
stop trafficking
Subtopic 2: Possible Solutions: harsher punishments, strict government control, raising
awareness
Subtopic 3: Life after trafficking: healing process, psychological and physical effects
Counter Arguments: A. legalizing prostitution will make it go away.
Refute: this cause the complete opposite. Causing more women to be put on the streets and at
harms risk. There would not be a way to control the situation.
B. some women wants to be on the streets
Refute: For most, after being in the world of trafficking that is all they know. They are used to
being used and beaten, feeling as if they wouldnt be wanted in the world.
Conclusion: restate thesis, summarize main points, connection to historical significance

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Human Trafficking
Nothing hits the heart and emotion of people, more than thoughts of the illegal form of
modern day slavery known as human trafficking. Human trafficking is a crime in which people
are being taken advantage of for purposes of sexual exploitation, and forced labor(Freedom 4
Innocence). Many remain ignorant to trafficking, believing that this act is rarely occurring in the
world around them. Little do they know more than 50,000 people a year are being subjected to
this horrendous crime (Human Trafficking Facts). No matter where you live, there are chances it
could be happening nearby. This affects everyone, men, women, and children, no one is excluded
from these devious acts. All trafficking victims share one essential experience: the loss of
freedom. Human trafficking is a heinous crime that should be controlled and eliminated by
harsher punishment, strict government control, and increased awareness to limit the amount of
victims.
Human trafficking is an illegal multi-billion dollar revenue business that denies the
freedom to millions of people around the world (Bales, Trodd, and Kent 3). Its a form of modern
day slavery as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons by
improper means of force, abduction, deception, abuse of power, or coercion (Human Trafficking
Search Information and Resources). Trafficking is for the purpose of exploitation, including
prostitution of others, sexual exploitation, forced labor, or slavery (Human Trafficking). Human
trafficking can be caused by a wide array of factors depending on region, type of trafficking and
cultural and social factors. These include violence like civil unrest, internal conflict and war, lack
of human rights, poverty, oppression and lack of opportunity, including those which are
economic, those that stem from social exclusion and gender discrimination and which are
political, legal or result from conflict.

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Human trafficking exists because, there is a high demand for it. Traffickers around the world
profit in pleasure and in price from the exploitation of their victims. Demand is sadly the biggest
reason for anyone being trafficked. There would be no trafficking if there was no end-user
willing to exploit the victims. From private individuals to organized businesses, there are many
people in this society who ensures that there is a demand for exploitation and there is money to
be made from it. Profits amount to US$ 33.9 billion, with almost half - US$ 15.4 billion - in
industrial countries. Asia is the region with the second highest profits (US$ 11.2 billion),
followed by transition countries (US$ 3.5 billion), Latin America (US$ 2.1 billion), and MiddleEast and North Africa (US$ 1.1 billion). Sub-Saharan Africa is the region where these criminal
profits are lowest (US$ 0.5 billion) (Selling people).
Human trafficking and exploitation has been in existence across the globe for thousands of
years. From ancient Greek and Romans to medieval times, and up until today, humans have been
subject to all forms of physical and sexual slavery (Batstone 32). The 1400s marked the start of
slave trading in Africa transporting people from Africa and using them as slaves. This practice,
finally became a political issue in the early 1900s when the International Agreement for the
Suppression of White Slave Traffic was signed. In 1956 (Trafficking prevention), India
initiated the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, which persecuted the parties involved in
trafficking. Activities included running brothels, living on earnings from sex work, capturing and
leaving people in imprisonment. By 1995 the United Nations held the fourth World Conference
to address these issues, accomplishing the fact that trafficking was recognized as an act of
violence (Trafficking Prevention). Even though its now seen as a crime, it still doesnt bring
these practices to an end, therefore more work needs to be done to eliminate the practice

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Some believe that only women and children can fall victim to the illegal crime of trafficking
but contrary to their beliefs, statics shows men and young boys are also recruited, outnumbering
female victims in certain categories of trafficking. No race nor gender is safe, each can be made
profitable in many scenarios. The involvement of trafficking includes lone individuals or part of
extended criminal networks, with the common means of exploiting people for profit. Traffickers
can be national and U.S. citizens, males or females, family members, intimate partners,
acquaintances, or strangers. They are known as pimps, lords, daddies, mistresses, and masters.
Using people as property to attain their need for greed, they are heartless and cold blooded
thinking of no one but themselves.
As many would agree, something needs to be done to put this terrifying misdeeds to an end.
There a variety of ways to get the word out about his issue and work on eliminating it. For
instance, harsher punishments would cause a stir. When we were children we knew certain
consequences would be worse than others based on the intensity of our misbehavior, same goes
for crimes. If traffickers knew that there would be extreme punishments such as more years or
greater fines, there wouldnt be as many traffickers as there are today. At this rate traffickers are
not scared of the consequences and as for fines, they are making double of that with their profits.
What good does it really do? Fines need to be increased tremendously and still be put in jail for
time as well.
Government control has a big impact on this situation. Without the governments help we
cant get too far in stopping the criminal tactics. Having more strict control over the border can
limit smuggling from other countries to use for trafficking. Using special under cover forces to
go in and take down as many operations as possible. Even funding programs in the pursuit in
helping victims could manage to help the issue.

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One of the most important ways of all problem solutions is to spread awareness. What
could possibly be solved if no one knows about the situation? Helping educate people on specific
issues will cause more people to be alert and raise awareness of what they should look for and
how it can be handled. Statically, there is almost a 60 percent higher chance that there will be
less cases will appear when more people are of knowledge (Preventing human trafficking).
Having panels, bringing forth victim to speak on experiences would help. Doing meetings to
support the elimination of the felony shows how serious the situation is. Lastly, educating kids of
all ages, genders, and races of the characteristics of human trafficking can give them insight on
whats going on and how this could possibly affect them in a way.
Could you imagine life after being in the trafficking industry, being sold as property over
and over again losing all hope and freedom? The saddest thing about being a slave within this
industry is that victims who are successful in escaping can never really escape it completely.
Mentally, victims are still trapped and possibly like in most cases will never be the same as they
once were. The recovery process is complicated and can vary by individuals. Survivors may
need medical attention from physical and or sexual abuse. Some may also suffer from extreme
psychological issues gained from certain experiences they accumulated.
As for physical abuse, some scars may never go away. In most cases it includes STDs that
could have been possibly transmitted to victims. Other health risks such as addiction, broken
body parts, traumatic injuries, are seen in 35 percent of the US cases along with 7 percent of
international cases. There is a percentage of those victims who will die from there abuse due to
extremities. Even more disturbing, psychological problems are even worse.
Victims may face a tremendous amount of psychological effects. These effect includes
shame, grief, fear, distrust, self-hatred, depression, mind/ body separation and the list goes on.

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Unfortunately, effects like this calls for a deeper type of therapy that could take years and years
depending on the individual themselves and intensity of their experience. Programs are held to
help them through the process, therapy teaches them how to live within society again without so
much fear. It takes time but is the start of their new life and getting their freedom back. The path
to healing is a hard rode but is absolutely possible.
In conclusion, human trafficking has many characteristics to it and something needs to
be done to end this crime. Its affects every one of all ages, genders, and races. No one is counted
out of this sick industry. Traffickers have truly made a life style out using people as property for
their inner greed. It is now becoming the worlds most profitable illegal industry after weapons
and drugs because merchandise can be bought and sold repeatedly (United Nations Office on
Drugs and Crime). As a whole we must work together to overcome trafficking for the sake of
victims lost to the industry and also our future generations.
Some may think there isnt a problem within this crime but its becoming a widespread
that will soon, if not controlled, take over the globe. Anyone could be victims of trafficking. If
we all come together we could possibly prevent that from happening and fight for the freedom
we all deserve. Human trafficking is one the most devastating problems that exists in the modern
world desecrating the lives of millions of people around the world. with the cooperation of the
government and the public itself, we can make a difference and save lives.

Works Cited

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Bales, Kevin, Zoe Trodd, and Alex Kent. Williamson. Modern Slavery: The Secret World of 27
Million People. Oxford: Oneworld, 2009. Print
Batstone, David B. Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade-- and How We Can Fight
It. New York: HarperSanFrancisco, 2007. Print.
"Facts on Human Trafficking and Sex Slavery | Soroptimist." Human Trafficking Facts. Web. 22
Feb. 2016.
"Human Trafficking." Human Trafficking. Web. 22 Feb. 2016.
Human Trafficking Search Information and Resources on Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking,
Child Labor and Forced Labor. Web. 22 Feb. 2016.
Sex Trafficking and Prostitution. Sex Trafficking and Prostitution RSS. Web. 22 Feb. 2016.
"United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime." Preventing Human Trafficking. Web. 22 Feb.
2016.
"What Is Human Trafficking?" Freedom 4 Innocence. Web. 23 Feb. 2016.