Anonymous, and Gabriel H. Sanchez.

5 Heartbreaking Accounts of Sexual Abuse in Modern

India. Buzzfeed

, 2 Oct. 2016,
www.buzzfeed.com/anonwriter/heartbreaking-accounts-of-child-rape-in-india?utm_ter=.
paKal8NlmX#.rszMlgvl64. Accessed 12 Oct. 2016.
Summary:
This article depicts various encounters concerning rape in India. Though the article is not
particularly focused on human trafficking, I thought it would be good for me to look at articles
concerning rape since I find myself more drawn to learning about the subject of sex trafficking,
which involves rape. The article introduces five cases of rape that have occurred within India,
and highlights on the fact that many of these rape victims are often young girls and receive no
justice when they report the cases to the police. The areas in which these girls live in are often
very impoverished and corrupt. In one of the cases, the victims mother blamed her for being
raped, even though the victim was only nine years of age when she was raped.
Application to Research
I think this article will be useful to me as I continue to research about the topic of
trafficking because it focused more on how a victims family members may treat them after the
incident. These incidents often occurred in the very impoverished areas of India, where many
individuals fail to receive a proper education. The mindset that many individuals obtain in these
areas are questionable - as they lead them to think that it is okay to rape little girls. In the last
case, one could clearly see that the mothers mindset was caused by utter ignorance. After all,
how could a nine year old provoke someone - actually, it was her father - to rape her? The
situation is absolutely disgusting and the victim was not at fault in any way, in my opinion.
"Bangladesh." US Department of State: Diplomacy in Action, 16 Nov. 2016,
www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/countries/2015/243392.htm. Accessed 16 Nov.
2016.
Summary:
This report discusses the occurrences of human trafficking related to the county of
Bangladesh. Like in Pakistan, debt bondage trafficking seems to take place in Bangladesh very
often. The report emphasizes that certain parts of the country are much more vulnerable to the
whole trafficking system in its entirety. For instance, the report specifically states that the
Burmese Rohingya community is an example of the many communities that find themselves
more vulnerable to trafficking. The report also highlights on the fact that though the Bangladeshi
government may not be the best when it comes to making regulations about human trafficking,
the government is definitely trying to do so by creating shelters for trafficking victims and even
rescuing them. Lastly, the report also mentions that law officials amongst the India and Pakistan
borders may have a part in trafficking - and may be the reason why traffickers are illegally
passing through the countries.
Application to Research:
This report was extremely interesting and full of depth. It was very useful to learn the
specific names of certain communities that are more vulnerable to the act of human trafficking. I
noticed that in the India and Pakistan reports, specific communities were not mentioned.
"Bhutan: Working against Human Trafficking - Focusing on Rights, Not on
Numbers." United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,

http://www.unodc.org/southasia/en/frontpage/2013/April/bhutan-working-against-human-traffick
ing-focussing-on-rights-not-on-numbers.html. Accessed 15 Dec. 2016.
Summary:
Like the previous article, this news article also explained how alarming the trafficking
issue in Bhutan is and just how problematic it has become. The article explains that the first case
study on human trafficking within Bhutan was actually done in 2007, which is pretty recent
considering how long human trafficking has been around for. This case study revolved around a
girl that was trafficked from India to Bhutan for labor trafficking. After this incident, many acts
of sex trafficking that happened in Bhutan - involving women being trafficked into the country
from mainly India - were discovered as well. This was very shocking for the country as a whole
since trafficking occurrences werent very prominent before 2007, usually they happened in
other South Asian countries. The articles author also explains that Bhutan, since learning of this
alarming issue, is working very hard to lessen human trafficking occurrences. However, as
mentioned in the previous article, natural disasters are bound to occur at times which displace
human beings, which can lead to traffickers taking advantage of the confusing situation and
smuggle trafficking victims across the borders.
Application to Research:
I think that this article was very useful, as it let me know of how trafficking wasnt
exactly a very big and prominent thing that was seen to happen in Bhutan before around 2007.
Perhaps trafficking situations always existed in Bhutan, and they were just discovered in 2007 or perhaps traffickers started actually targeting victims in Bhutan around that time period. It was
interesting to learn of how officials responded to this situation.
Biswas, Suvendu. "Human Trafficking in Bangladesh: An Overview." FAIR: Foreign
Affairs Insights & Reviews, 16 Nov. 2016, fairbd.net/
human-trafficking-in-bangladesh-an-overview/. Accessed 16 Nov. 2016.
Summary:
I am honestly speechless after reading this article. Over 250,000 trafficking victims from
Bangladesh that are unwillingly forced to reside in Pakistan are undocumented - these women,
men, and young children literally have no hope for the future. A human trafficking gang basing
in Iran attract Bangladeshi people with assurance that they will give them good jobs in Europe.
They are kept captive when they are taken out of the UAE and moved 39 kilometers away from
the mainland and tortured there. Unless the family of the captive sends money to them, they are
tortured and even killed also (Khan 2015). - This was the most shocking sentence to read. I
knew that trafficking occurred like this, but I think it truly hit home today. It is absolutely insane,
knowing the torture that these individuals have to go through - individuals from Bangladesh that
desired nothing but to be successful in Europe and build a loving family.
Application to Research:
Though I will most likely be moving onto a new South Asian country next week, I will
continue to look up articles about human trafficking in Bangladesh over the weekend. This
article was incredibly useful for me, and I learned so much new information. All the new
information I have just learned makes me wish that I had realized that I should research other
South Asian countries, and not just India and Pakistan. It is absolutely disgusting how these
individuals are lied and deceived in such a horrific manner - I think that their ignorance or lack
of knowing what trafficking is often leads them to these types of situations, which is just awful.

"Combatting Human Trafficking in Afghanistan." USAID, www.usaid.gov/

news-information/fact-sheets/combatting-human-trafficking-afghanistan-project.
Summary:
This report outlined how dangerous the trafficking situation in Afghanistan is.
Eventually, the report listed many objectives that were to be carried out by officials in
Afghanistan that were expected to lessen the amount of human trafficking within the country
overall. Of course, the corruption that allows human trafficking to continue is embedded within
the officials themselves, so I do believe that the law or governmental officials need to be
thoroughly checked to ensure that they arent involved in this system themselves. The data report
explains that protection must be extended and given to potential Afghani victims, and that
officials will be sent out to look for traffickers and trafficking rings or chains. Also, the data
report explains that since human trafficking is not exactly well-known in Afghanistan - meaning
that its not discussed very often, (perhaps its a taboo sort of topic in the country) reports would
be published about trafficking in Afghanistan every year and sent out to raise awareness about
the situation overall. Lastly, the report states that migration issues are expected to be fixed so
trafficking victims are not as easily transported over the border to Pakistan.
Application to Research:
Although this report was very useful to me, I feel like I could use more information about
human trafficking in Afghanistan. Its useful to know that the Afghani victims are transported
illegally to Pakistan and vice versa, which actually makes sense since they are so close.
D'Adamo, F., & Leonori, A. (2003). Iqbal. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Summary:
This novel is loosely based upon Iqbal Masihs life. The story introduces the audience to labor
trafficking and demonstrates how wealthy and corrupt business owners mislead poor families into this
never-ending cycle. Convincing the families that they are in extreme debt and the only way to pay it
off is to send their children to work, these individuals then abduct the children and force them to work
in hazardous conditions for hours on end. The story depicts the struggle of illiterate children stuck in
the cycle of labor trafficking, and how dangerous it is to even attempt to escape the situation, since
often, even the police system is corrupt and bribed to keep everything secretive. Iqbal Masih did end
up escaping and saved thousands of other children, but unfortunately he was shot dead at the age of
13 by unknown beings - it has been speculated that they were most likely trafficking captors.
Application to Research
Labor trafficking is a side of human trafficking that one rarely gets to learn about properly.
Usually, drug or sex trafficking is more heard about in the news. In this story, children in Pakistan
were forced to make carpets. Its true - many carpets are imported from Pakistan, so there is no doubt
that at least some of these carpets have been constructed by the fragile hands of trafficking victims.
This novel will definitely be of great use to me during my research as I venture and learn more about
the world revolved around labor trafficking. Though it is historical fiction, much of the information
stated regarding how captors choose their victims could definitely be true. I think Ill conduct more
research on Iqbal Masih later on in order to properly grasp this area of human trafficking.
Gajanan, Mahita. "Woman Arrested for Human Trafficking after Allegedly Forcing Children to

Sell Cookies." Woman Arrested for Human Trafficking After Allegedly Forcing Children
to Sell Cookies. Time, time.com/4508580/kentucky-human-trafficking-cookies/.
Originally published in Time, 26 Sept. 2016. Accessed 29 Sept. 2016.
Summary:
This article is very brief and the information is presented in a straightforward fashion.
The news article explains of a trafficking incident that occurred in Kentucky, in which a woman
in her early thirties had somehow managed to force nine individuals - all under 18 - to sell
cookies. The children were forced to say that the money given for cookies would be donated to
some type of organization - for charity, perhaps. However, upon further speculation, it was
realized that the organization they spoke of was completely nonexistent. The woman was then
arrested, and the article then states nothing about the whereabouts or mental states of the children
involved - instead, it quickly halts to a finish.
Application to Research:
This article will be useful to me as I continue to further research on into the subject
matter of human trafficking. Its hard to understand that trafficking can literally occur
everywhere - that Maryland, especially, is a hotspot for trafficking in the US. Yet this case
showed me that trafficking can, indeed, occur in the most random locations, such as a small town
in the state of Kentucky. This article has been very useful for me - Im now interested in and
would like to research trafficking cases in small towns within the US.
Guptal, Jayanta. "Drive to Curb Human Trafficking in Bhutan." Times of India, 1 June. 2015,
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Drive-to-curb-human-trafficking-in-Bhutan/artic
leshow/47494262.cms. Accessed 15 Dec. 2016.
Summary:
This article briefly discusses the human trafficking situation in Bhutan. In the article, it is
stated that though the human trafficking occurrences in Bhutan are not as severe as those in other
South-Asian countries, they only continue to worsen. The author of the article explains that most
trafficking victims are smuggled to India and Nepal. The articles author, Jayanta Guptal, raises
concern to the fact that trafficking may only increase - in terms of smuggling between the
borders of South Asian countries - as there was an earthquake in Nepal recently (the article was
written on June 1st, 2015). Since natural disasters undoubtedly misplace so many human beings,
its easy to either kidnap unsuspecting trafficking victims, or transporting trafficking victims
across the borders. I could imagine not much law enforcement would be present because
everyone would be worried about their families - in general, everything would be very displaced.
Application to Research:
I think that this article could be very helpful to me as something I could use to introduce
me to trafficking in Bhutan. Its good that the trafficking situation in Bhutan isnt as severe as it
is in India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. However, it sounds like it is the beginning of
something horrific, as one can assume that trafficking occurrences in Bhutan will only continue
to grow and worsen with time. Overall, this article was very helpful and it was interesting to see
how trafficking functions in Bhutan.
Human Trafficking Council Gives Voice to Victims. The Daily Texan,
www.dailytexanonline.com/2016/10/26/human-trafficking-council-gives-voice-to-victim
s.

Summary:
This news article highlights how Texas is right behind DC on the frequency of the
occurrences of human trafficking cases. The article explains that Dallas, Houston, and San
Antonio form what is known as the sex trafficking triangle. After explaining the trafficking
issues within the state of Texas, the article goes on to point out that the US Advisory Council of
Human Trafficking is extremely significant, since the organization is completely composed of
those who once were trafficking victims, and survived the brutal and never-ending cycle. The
article concludes by stating that whatever decisions made by this specific council must be
regarded with an immense amount of respect and consideration, since these council
members most definitely know what to do to help others escape the cycle of trafficking as
well.
Application to Research:
Perhaps somewhere down along the road, I may be able to contact this specific
council. However, I do not know of their whereabouts just yet, but I do think that the fact that
this council is composed entirely of trafficking victims is amazing. I also think this article was
useful because it showed how this council can greatly benefit decisions made about trafficking
within the US. The article contained refreshing and very interesting information - for instance, I
did not know that Texas was where the sex trafficking triangle is. I hope to learn more about the
human trafficking issues within the state of Texas in the future.
"Human Trafficking in Nepal." Free for Life, freeforlifeintl.org/nepal/
human-trafficking-in-nepal/.
Summary:
This article highlights on the significance of human trafficking occurrences within
Nepal. In the article, it is stated that though many government officials often do not see
trafficking issues as a violation of the nations laws, the government in its entirety is making
efforts to acknowledge the seriousness of the crime and how to combat it. As of the moment,
however, non-governmental organizations are working consistently to lessen this problematic
issue in Nepal. The article also mentions that many individuals are tricked into becoming victims
of debt bondage trafficking and are transported to unfamiliar countries to work for their captor.
These individuals often feel extremely deceived but continue on and work in the debt bondage
trafficking system because they have no other choice.
Application to Research:
While I do believe this article is very helpful about learning information about Nepals
trafficking system, I think I need to read another that focuses on how the trafficking victims from Nepal - themselves feel about the entire system. At one point, it was mentioned that
thousands of victims are brought to India each year - which was interesting because it further
reveals the corruption there is within law and governmental officials, because they look the other
way while this unjust act occurs.
"Human Trafficking Is Caused by the Greed of Criminals." Gale, www.gale.com/.
Summary:
The main idea of this article was to show how the greed of criminals is one of the many
causes of human trafficking. The major supporting reason for the main idea include how
trafficking programs are often ineffective and lead to criminals easily breaking into the system in

order to kidnap victims. The author contains an understandable amount of bias that supports the
victims and is against the traffickers - they repeatedly mention or imply how inhumane these
criminals participating in this unjust system truly are.
Application to Research
For this topic, I feel disgusted that people would harm other human beings this way. I
cannot understand how another individual could not feel any type of remorse when attacking
another in such a despicable way. I feel like the author and I have found some common
ground on this topic upon perceiving their rendering of it.
"Human Trafficking, Prostitution Thrive in Afghanistan." DW, www.dw.com/en/
human-trafficking-prostitution-thrive-in-afghanistan/a-16327746.
Summary:
This article discusses how many human trafficking victims are put into jail themselves
for their engagement in the system. However, officials do not properly realize that the women in
prostitution and sex trafficking are forced into the system by their male relatives, to relieve their
family of extreme debt or other troubling circumstances. The women are not willing to
participate, they are deceived and tricked into being a part of this type of trafficking. However,
when they are discovered by law officials, they are punished under extreme circumstances
because they have violated the Islamic law in Afghanistan. Yet what these law officials dont
even realize is that theyre not properly reading the Islamic law and are not applying it correctly,
because what they are doing - punishing the victim - is unjust. A lot of this behavior also seems
to account for the extremely twisted way infamous terrorist groups will manipulate words in the
Quran in a way that will lead to solely their own benefit.
Application to Research:
I do believe that this article will assist me in my trafficking research, but it is only a little
that covers the surface of the trafficking world in the country of Afghanistan. However, it is a
good start and will aid me in learning more about how trafficking works in Afghanistan. I am
annoyed at the fact that prostitution rates are so high in this country, as it is very unjust.
"Maldives." US Department of State Diplomacy in Action,
https://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/countries/2015/243486.htm
Summary:
This data report highlights on the major aspects of the human trafficking situation
within the Maldives. In this data report, it is stated that many of the human trafficking victims in
the Maldives come from Bangladesh. These human trafficking victims make up around 200,000
of the Maldives. Though in the Maldives, human trafficking efforts are being made to combat the
act of trafficking itself, they have been decreasing in recent years. Out of 200,000 possible cases,
only five human trafficking cases were actually investigated in just 2014 alone. Out of 2014, no
human trafficking offenders were convicted. Overall, only nine human trafficking victims were
identified in the entire year of 2014 - normally, that seems like good news, except for the fact
that there are definitely about 200,000 victims of trafficking. In 2013, ten victims of human
trafficking were identified, which demonstrates how efforts against human trafficking seem to be
decreasing in recent years especially.
Application to Research:

This data report will be useful to me and aid me throughout my research concerning
human trafficking, as it provides ample information on the trafficking issue in the Maldives.
Overall, the data report perfectly highlights on how the trafficking issue in the Maldives seems to
grow worse in recent years, which must be changed in order to help the trafficking victims.
M, Judy. "10 Disturbing Facts about Human Trafficking You Need to Know."
Care2, 10 Jan. 2017, www.care2.com/causes/
10-disturbing-facts-about-human-trafficking-you-need-to-know.html.
Summary:
This informative article details ten sinister facts about human trafficking, in honor of
Human Trafficking Awareness Day (January 11th) and Human Trafficking Awareness Month in
general (January). Some of the most surprising facts reveal information that one may never had
considered prior to reading the article. For instance, Judy M states that the average cost for a
slave around the world is 90 dollars. One is also reminded that yes, prostitution is a form of
human trafficking. This is something that individuals forget to take into account - prostitutes are
known amongst the public, and they are often criticized for their actions. Yet what is rarely
acknowledged is that not all of the prostitutes one may see strolling in DC or Baltimore at night
are willing to be prostitutes. Often, they are stuck with a trafficking captor that they serve. Lastly,
the article mentions how just providing education to men and women from when they are
children could greatly reduce human trafficking rates.
Application to Research:
I would say that this article is useful, but only in the sense that is just enforces
information that I already know. I guess that its an okay article for someone to read, but because
I already have all this knowledge on human trafficking, I felt like I didnt learn anything new.
Next time, Ill be sure to find an article that doesnt make me feel like Im rereading the same
information - otherwise, I can never accomplish my goal of preventing trafficking globally.
Murugadoss, A.R, director. Ghajini. 2008.
Summary:
This film is a remake of Hollywoods Memento. Based on my knowledge, the plot is
mainly identical, aside from a few changes. However, I have yet to see the original version Memento - itself. The movie simplistically introduces a man and woman who fall in love but are
torn apart due to very horrific and sorrowful circumstances - however, I would like to focus on
the trafficking aspect of this film. The protagonists love interest is known for helping trafficking
victims - usually young girls. In the movie, she saves around twenty little girls on the train from
debt bondage trafficking (their kidneys were being cut out and sold on the black market).
However, after sending them to an orphanage, she realizes that a few girls are missing. She then
finds out that the mastermind behind it all is a very well-known governmental official, who
bribed another law official to kidnap the girls from the orphanage. In the end, the little girls that
were kidnapped die and the woman is murdered as well.
Application to Research:
I decided to watch the Bollywood version initially because I am researching the
occurrences of human trafficking within South Asia, and I wanted to see if I could gain more
information about the topic and its occurrences within India. Though it must be taken into
account that films exaggerate certain details, I think it was very useful to find out the severity of

this crime and how corruption contributes to it immensely. The film also served as a grave
reminder that some individuals will do anything to ensure that they have power and profit.
Mustafa, Ammara Gul. "Human Trafficking and Forced Marriages." Dailytimes, 6
Nov. 2016, dailytimes.com.pk/opinion/07-Nov-16/human-trafficking-and-forced-marriages.
Accessed 6 Nov. 2016.
Summary:
This article introduced the idea that forced marriages and human trafficking are not very
different from one another, and that the line differentiating the two is almost non-existent. The
article explains that forced marriage could fall under the sex trafficking aspect of human
trafficking because women can be unwillingly placed in a marriage overseas that they wish to
not engage themselves in. This can happen to women in South Asia especially, in which they
may somehow be deceived into travelling back to the country of their ethnic roots from the
country that they were born and raised in, and then forced into a marriage with some stranger for
whatever reason.
Application to Research:
This article is fairly new - it was actually published today, seven hours earlier. Im not
sure if this source is giving me credible information, because it states that there are 45.8 million
individuals in the act of human trafficking according to the statistics the author has utilized.
However, I know for a fact that all the sources I am using that are statistic-based are providing
me correct information, as they are known to be widely credible worldwide. My sources tell me
27-28 million individuals are enslaved worldwide. I find myself unsure of whether this article
will be useful to me in the future or not. I will need to check back on the credibility of this source
in a few days - I do not think I can right now because it is fairly new and the author could have
simply made an error.
Naish, Ahmed. "Maldives Signs Anti-Human Trafficking Protocol." Maldives
Independent, 28 Dec. 2015, maldivesindependent.com/politics/
maldives-signs-anti-human-trafficking-protocol-121018.
Summary:
This news article initially explains how much of the undocumented population in Nepal
may be composed of victims of the human trafficking industry. The news article states that at
least 30,000 - most likely more - individuals were undocumented and human trafficking victims
in the Maldives. The news article further discusses how the governments minimal efforts in
reducing the crime of human trafficking had definitely been noticed by US State Department tier
2s watch list. Being eventually placed on the tier 3 watch list would mean, the Maldives may
be subject to non-humanitarian and non-trade sanctions.. After mentioning how the
governments minimal efforts towards preventing the act of human trafficking in the Maldives
had certainly been recognized by other countries, it was discussed how there were committees or
organizations that were further establishing how the situation must be dealt with. This was being
done in order to develop an outline that would explain how exactly to fight the act of human
trafficking in the Maldives.
Application to Research:
I believe that this news article will be greatly beneficial in aiding me with my research
about human trafficking, especially concerning the trafficking occurrences within the Maldives.

The news article brings forth more information that seems to be much newer than the US
Department of State data report, as it mentions how the data report had been acknowledged by
the government, and efforts were being made in order to help trafficking.
"Pakistan." U.S Department of State: Diplomacy in Action, 2014,
www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/countries/2014/226793.htm. Accessed 20 Oct. 2016.
Summary
This webpage depicts the occurrences of human trafficking within the country of
Pakistan. The webpage is a trafficking report about Pakistan, and it concludes that Pakistans
unstable economy is one big factor for trafficking. Debt bondage trafficking mostly occurs
within Pakistan, which is a type of labor trafficking in which people are tricked into thinking that
if they give away their children for work, their debts will be paid off. However, sex trafficking
occurs as well - surprisingly, these trafficking cases mostly occur in Punjab and Sindh, which are
the two areas that I am from in Pakistan. Lastly, the webpage highlights on what can still be done
to prevent trafficking, and what measures have been already taken and have failed in the
prevention of human trafficking within Pakistan.
Application to Research
I will definitely keep this webpage in mind when I travel to Pakistan in two months. I
think that this webpage is definitely the most helpful source I have found so far throughout my
research journey. The webpage provides ample information about trafficking in Pakistan, and I
noticed that it gives many examples of how certain scenarios may occur. As aforestated, Punjab
and Sindh are the two provinces where bonded labor trafficking takes place fairly often. This was
interesting to learn, as I now know to look for this specific type of trafficking when I stay in
Punjab during winter. The webpage explains that children are often forced to beg on streets and
then give the money that they have received to their captors, which was very valuable
information to learn of.
Patterson, Thom. (2016, August 12) Inside Houstons sex slave trade. Retrieved from
http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/11/us/the-hunt-john-walsh-diaz-juarez-texas-sex-slave-hum
an-trafficking/
Summary:
This news article discusses and depicts the world of sex trafficking. The article follows a
story of a girl named Esperanza - her true identity has been concealed - who was kidnapped one
day and taken to a house in which she was forced to engage in sexual acts. If she did not comply,
she would be beaten by her captor, Pancho, and her family members would be threatened as
well. She was impregnated during this horrific experience, and the life of the baby was also
threatened by the captor. Fortunately, Esperanza was found and was safely reunited with her
family. Pancho, however, has not been found and his memory continues to haunt Esperanza
every single day. He is most likely still involved with the sex trafficking industry as the police
try to find him.
Application to Research
Though there are many types of trafficking that I think I would like to research, sex
trafficking is the most common one amongst them. This was an interesting read and will
definitely be useful to my research. I think this article perfectly depicted how a trafficking
victims mental and physical state of mind often is after being rescued by authorities, and how

long it takes for them to adjust back into society. I think that further observation of human
trafficking victims behavior after being rescued will greatly aid us in knowing how to get these
individuals back on the right track again from the torture they had previously experienced.
Polaris. "Polaris: Freedom Happens Now." Polaris, polarisproject.org/human-trafficking.
Accessed 29 Sept. 2016.
Summary:
This webpage consists of valuable information about the subject of human trafficking.
The site introduces trafficking in a manner in which the topic is easily comprehensible, yet the
urgency and panic surrounded around the situation is not overlooked either. The webpages on the
website list telephone numbers one can call in order to report any suspicious activity, and even
recent articles/news updates about trafficking. The site lists ways that one can contribute in a
beneficial manner to the fight against human trafficking of all kinds - sex, labor, debt bondage,
etc, and more. Lastly, the website also accepts donations, from which all the proceeds are put
along the effort to ending this horrific cycle.
Application to Research
I think that this website will be extremely helpful to me during my process of learning
more about trafficking. I havent established a proper research question about my subject yet, so
perhaps this website will help me do so with all the information it provides on trafficking. The
website is very up-to-date and one can tell that it is a reliable source because it does not display
any of the signs - about a non reliable source - we learned about in class. I think that this website
will also be useful for me staying in tune about trafficking-related news stories, because it
updates any news about trafficking fairly frequently.
Raj, Y. R (Producer), & Sarkar, P.S (Director). (2014). Mardaani [Motion picture]. India: Yash
Films.
Summary:
This motion picture illustrates the world of sex trafficking in India. Though the film is
fictitious, it is most certainly based off of actual sex trading that regularly occurs in South Asia.
In the movie, a police officer notices that the orphan girl she was taking care of has disappeared.
The officer then goes on a mission to find the young girl, and discovers secrets about the corrupt
system of trafficking along the way. The officer is beaten severely as the film goes on and
traffickers attempt to murder her, yet she manages to escape and find the orphan girl that she was
taking care of. She learns that the orphan girl was forced to work as a prostitute - even though
she was only about fifteen years old - in order to bring in money for her captors. Luckily, the
movie ends on a good note, where the officer and the orphan are reunited harmoniously.
Application to Research:
Though the film was mainly fictitious, many of the events that occurred within it are
undoubtedly occurring in this very moment. I think it was a good idea for me to watch a movie
on trafficking, as it helps me fully understand and contextualize with trafficking victims.
Fortunately, I may never know what these trafficking victims truly go through - the emotions
they feel - while trapped in this cycle, but I can definitely sympathize and understand more about
these victims backgrounds by watching these types of films more often. As aforestated, Id like
to look into the world of sex trafficking a bit more in-depth instead of solely focusing on labor
and other types of trafficking, since sex trafficking is becoming more prominent each day.

Boyle, Danny, director. Slumdog Millionaire. Warner Bros, 2008.

Summary
This movie highlights the world of the trafficking industry within India. In the movie, the
slums of India are particularly depicted for what they truly are, rather than them being modified
to look desirable as shown in Bollywood films. The movie follows the story of Jamal Malik, who
finds himself and his elder brother thrown into the despicable world of human trafficking when
their mother is brutally killed after a fight erupts between Hindus and Muslims within their
village. In the movie, the audience sees traffickers taking children's eyes out by burning them
with some type of liquid substance, and this was done in order for passerbys to feel more pity
for the children and thereby, giving them more money. The money would then be brought back
to the traffickers themselves and they would profit immensely from it. Later on in the movie,
Jamal manages to escape from where he was being held captive and wins a grand amount of
money on a show similar to Jeopardy. However, Jamal never forgets the horrific experiences he
had as a child growing up as he basks in all the wealth he has earned.
Application to Research
This movie truly showed me how the slums are in India and Pakistan, as well as other
South-Asian countries. In all the Bollywood movies Ive watched growing up, a wealthy family
was usually in the center of everything and the setting of the film itself almost always showed
extremely fancy surroundings. In a way, I feel like Im more prepared to deal with the trafficking
situation in Pakistan by viewing the horrific things done to trafficking victims in this movie - so I
wont feel so queasy or unsure about everything when I actually research the situations over
there. Since the movie was set in South Asia, Im assuming the slums shown in India are very
similar to the impoverished areas in Pakistan, so I think I know areas Ill begin to look around in
and help when I go to Pakistan. The trafficking situation in South Asia is getting ridiculously
larger and more gruesome with each day, so learning about how I can possibly assist the victims
and sympathize with them is very helpful.
Sri Lanka. US Department of State: Diplomacy in Action, 6 April 2016,
https://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5249.htm. Accessed 23 Dec 2016.
Summary:
This report focuses on trafficking occurrences in Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, debt bondage
and sex trafficking are the most common types that happen. Though typically women are more
likely to be forced into the world of sex trafficking, the data report states that in Sri Lanka, young
boys are more likely to experience this aspect of human trafficking. The young boys are more
likely to experience child sex tourism, which is a bit unusual when looking at trafficking
statistics based on the major countries in the world. The article also states that if a child has
some type of deformities in their appearance, traffickers then have those children involved in
criminal activity. The report also highlights on that although traffickers were convicted for their
crimes in recent years, they dont actually serve time in prison. Somehow, they manage to get
around it. Also, the data report mentions how women in Sri Lanka are often shown sexist
behavior and illustrates how this specific type of treatment towards women could negatively
impact them as a whole and lead to even more trafficking, whether that be labor, sex, or debt
bondage.
Application the Research:

This data report was very lengthy and I definitely do think itll be very useful for me as I
progress forwards with my research. The data report provided one with ample information, and I
was only able to cover a little of that information. I think that this data report will be extremely
helpful to me because it highlighted on the relation between sexist behavior and trafficking. Of
course, all the articles Ive read previously do the same, but this data report explicitly stated that
many women can unwillingly get involved in trafficking as a result of extreme sexism.
"Sri Lankans Busted for Kidnapping, Trafficking." Pattaya Mail, Nov. 25 2016,
http://www.pattayamail.com/news/sri-lankans-busted-kidnapping-trafficking-156224. Accessed
23 Dec. 2016.
Summary:
This article is extremely brief and mentions how a Sri Lankan women complained how
she was trafficked by unknown men and then she was forced to serve them when she moved to
Pattaya. Though the article does not further explain how the woman served the men, it can be
implied that perhaps she was forced to engage in sexual acts or labor trafficking. The men that
she made the claim against stated that she was lying, however, upon further investigation that
was conducted by the authorities, it was found out that the men were actually lying. The
authorities that investigated this matter discovered that the men actually did force the woman
into serving them in some way - whether that be sexually or through labor. In order to prove that
the men were indeed traffickers, those who were working on the case had to analyze the mens
bank records and then state that they actually had trafficked the woman in Sri Lanka.
Application to Research:
I think that this article was very useful as an introduction to learning information about
human trafficking in Sri Lanka. I dont think that this article would be extremely useful to me for
my research overall, as it was pretty brief. However, it helped me realize how traffickers often
avoid being arrested for a crime by trying to cover up their tracks. In this case, the authorities
realized that the men were actually traffickers by analyzing their bank records and accounts, but
the men could have easily gotten away with the act.
Statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved September 12, 2016, from http://www.mdhumantrafficking.org/statistics/
Summary:
This website cites general trafficking statistics within the state of Maryland. While reading
through the site, I found out that about 27 million individuals are trapped in the cycle of human
trafficking worldwide. The fact that DC itself is a hotspot for trafficking within the US was also
something else that was greatly emphasized in order to stress the significance of this issue. The
website lists telephone numbers on which one is able to report suspicious trafficking activity
observed. Additionally, this website provides information on sex and labor trafficking and lists how
one can learn more about the problem.
Application to Research
Im just getting started on my research, yet I already feel like that this particular website will end
up helping me the most. The fact that it focuses on trafficking within Maryland will help me learn
how to prevent it from occurring locally. This site is incredibly useful - the statistics it provides are
absolutely mindblowing. I learned that trafficking the second highest grossing criminal enterprise in
the world, which is disgusting. Learning so much more information about this topic truly made me
want to get up and do something about it - however, before I do, I want to conduct more research and

learn more about this corrupt system. Apparently, Maryland is a goldmine for human trafficking.
Previous traffickers have let officials know that most victims are transported from different locations
on Interstate-95, which is something I already knew by interviewing a county official last year.
Overall, the information I learned from this website was extremely shocking and has made me want
to learn even more about how to prevent the act of trafficking through the world.
"Timeline of Human Trafficking." Rutgers University Campus Coalition against
Trafficking, www.eden.rutgers.edu/~yongpatr/425/final/timeline.htm.
Accessed 13 Oct. 2016.
Summary:
This webpage introduces background information about the human trafficking system.
The webpage provides one with a timeline, which shows that though trafficking had begun
shortly after the abolishment of slavery, it was officially acknowledged through white traffic.
White traffic was when white individuals had begun to become treated as slaves, as opposed to
those of color. Often, these white individuals were women or young girls and were forced to
engage in sex trafficking. Another very significant point emphasized within the timeline
provided was when many Eastern Asian women were kidnapped into the world of sex trafficking
throughout World War II by Japanese officials. Unfortunately, many of these women were killed
after being raped by the men.
Application to Research:
Ive always wondered about the roots leading up to the establishment of the trafficking
system, but I never actually researched it. Instead, I assumed that it was a subtle shift from legal
slavery to illegal slavery. Taking into account of the information that this human trafficking
timeline provides to the audience would be very useful, primarily because it shows the evolution
of trafficking - which can lead one to think of ways to combat the act of trafficking as well.
Tziperman-Lotan, Gal. Two Accused of Murder, Human Trafficking of 14-year-old Girl.
Orlando Sentinel, 12 Oct. 2016,
www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-two-arrested-murder-14-year-old-201
61012-story.html. Accessed 12 Oct. 2016.
Summary:
This news article was actually published very recently - today. The article discusses
how
a 14-year-old girl overdosed on drugs in order to get away from the whole business of human
trafficking. The 14-year-old was not kidnapped into the act of trafficking, which was surprising
for one to learn since most teenagers usually seem to be kidnapped into this cycle. However, the
article explains that the girl was threatened by her trafficking captors and forced to tell her
mother that she was going to a friends house after school every day. Instead, they would take
her from school and then proceed to take her to locations where she was forced to have sex with
men she did not know. Her captors said that if she ever went to the police, they would also put
loved ones at risk. As aforestated, the girl decided to take her own life in order to make the
constant sexual abuse and harassment stop.
Application to Research:
What I believe that will help me most with my research from this article is the idea I
learned of human trafficking being able to occur in the most absurd circumstances. I would

never have thought something like this could have happened with the victim not being directly
kidnapped from their home. In this case, the girl went to her house every night, talked to her
parents, and slept in her own bed, but what was different was that the time she spent after school
at her friends house was actually a horrific time period, when she was forced into trafficking.
Ugly. Directed by Anurag Kashyap, DAR Motion Pictures, 2013.
Summary;
This movie revolves around the kidnapping of a young girl in India. In the beginning of
the movie, the little girl is seen being drawn to a mask seller from a car in which her father had
briefly left her in, in order to run a quick errand. The mask seller motions for the little girl to exit
the car and come to him, and her naivety leads her to do so. The little girl is not seen again,
leading her father to believe that she has been kidnapped. He contacts the police about the issue,
and is first laughed off by the local police officers. However, the police chief realizes the issue is
significant once he realizes the kidnapped girl is his step-daughter (the police chief is the
husband of the girls biological fathers ex-wife). Throughout the movie, one may observe the
police chief questioning his wifes ex-husbands involvement in this kidnapping, as he believes
that he possibly had something to do with the crime - probably out of jealousy of some kind.
Then, the police chief questions his current wife in the kidnapping of her daughter because of her
past history of drug abuse which took a toll on her childs life. At the end of the movie, they all
find the body of the young girl, now dead. It turned out that the mask seller had kidnapped her
after all, and if they hadnt wasted time with their own problems, they could have saved her.
Application to Research:
Though I do think that this movie was not very good, I do like the useful aspect of how it
shows that the little girl could have been saved if not for the utter stupidity of the police chief
and his family matters. I think this movie could supply one reason that illustrates what may go
wrong when a child is reported to be trafficked in a South Asian country. Either the matter is not
taken seriously, or the officers may not piece together the obvious clues that could easily lead to
one saving the child - instead, they may be entangled within a web of their own lies and
misdeeds, as seen in this film.
Villani, Chris. "Couple Charged with Human Trafficking, Held on $500K Bail
Each." Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2017, www.bostonherald.com/news/
local_coverage/2017/01/
couple_charged_with_human_trafficking_held_on_500k_bail_each.
Summary:
This news article discusses how an elderly couple was being charged with crimes of
human trafficking. The specific type of human trafficking the elderly couple engaged in was
prostitution. The couple had decided to discreetly place on ad up on a website - backpage.com where they advertised Asian models. On the website, one could make an appointment for one of
the models and they would then be directed to the couples house. Often, a man would make an
appointment and pay the Asian model around 200 dollars for sexual services. It is unknown
whether the model was willingly participating or not, yet it is reasonable to assume that she was
not, since her identity was not given out. However, there is always a possibility that she was
willing to do this, though it is unlikely. The model would then give the money over to the couple,
and they would use it for whatever they desired.

Application to Research:
I think that this article will be very useful to me as I continue to research trafficking. It
further demonstrates how trafficking may occur anywhere - even in a neighbors house. This
article serves as a reminder that we may not actually know those who put trust in.
Williams, Rachel. "Nepal Struggles to Contain Human Trafficking Problem." The
Guardian, www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2013/
may/08/nepal-struggles-human-trafficking-problem.
Summary:
This article discusses how trafficking victims from Nepal feel about the entire system.
The one very significant aspect of this article is the discussion of trust. Many of the women that
were forced into engage in sex trafficking described that their own relatives led them to this
corrupt industry for money. These women were married off and then travelled to different
countries where they were sexually assaulted. The article actually starts off by a little girl, known
as Raji, telling her experience as a labor trafficking victim. She stated that whenever she and her
fellow trafficking victims grew tired of constantly working, they would be beaten by their
captors with metal rods. Though Raji and her friend - Kamashi - were not sex trafficking victims,
Kamashi ended up getting raped by another captor and was pregnant by the time the two could
finally go home to Nepal from India. The two girls were lured into the system after a woman
convinced their families that if they worked in India, they would earn substantial amounts of
money and be fed very well. Unfortunately, one can now clearly see that it was all lies.
Application to Research:
I thought that this article was extremely interesting - learning how those from Nepal are
often tricked into working in the trafficking system within India was not surprising, but it was
also something that I have never fully considered. I actually want to contact the author - Rachel
Williams - since at the end of the article it is written that she has actually worked a bit in the
trafficking prevention industry. Unfortunately, her contact information did not come up on The
Guardian, but a Google Search did lead me to her Twitter account, so perhaps I will find some
other way to get her contact information.