“You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.” — William Wilberfoce
There are more people trapped in slavery today than ever before in human history.
#HumanTrafficking #ModernDaySlavery #enditmovement
Photo ©: @SoulPolitics92
There are more people trapped in slavery today than ever before in human history.
#HumanTrafficking #ModernDaySlavery #enditmovement
Photo ©: @SoulPolitics92
FACTS ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING — Thread:
Today, there are approximately 45.8 MILLION PEOPLE caught in the trap of MODERN SLAVERY around the world. This includes 10 million children, 15.4 million people in forced marriage, and 4.8 million people in forced sexual exploitation. 1/
Today, there are approximately 45.8 MILLION PEOPLE caught in the trap of MODERN SLAVERY around the world. This includes 10 million children, 15.4 million people in forced marriage, and 4.8 million people in forced sexual exploitation. 1/
WHAT IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING?
It involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act against the will of the person trafficked. 2/
It involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act against the will of the person trafficked. 2/
WHAT IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING?
Traffickers may use violence, manipulation, or false promises of well-paying jobs or romantic relationships to lure victims into being trafficked. Trafficking victims include men, women, and children of all ages, races, and nationalities. 3/
Traffickers may use violence, manipulation, or false promises of well-paying jobs or romantic relationships to lure victims into being trafficked. Trafficking victims include men, women, and children of all ages, races, and nationalities. 3/
ELEMENTS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
On the basis of the definition given in the Trafficking in Persons Protocol, it is evident that trafficking in persons has 3 constituent elements:
The Act (What is Done):
- Recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons 4/
On the basis of the definition given in the Trafficking in Persons Protocol, it is evident that trafficking in persons has 3 constituent elements:
The Act (What is Done):
- Recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons 4/
ELEMENTS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
The Means (How it is Done):
- Threat or use of force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or vulnerability, or giving payments or benefits to a person in control of the victim 5/
The Means (How it is Done):
- Threat or use of force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or vulnerability, or giving payments or benefits to a person in control of the victim 5/
ELEMENTS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
The Purpose (Why it is Done):
- For the purpose of exploitation, which includes exploiting the prostitution of others, sexual exploitation, forced labour, slavery or similar practices and the removal of organs. 6/
The Purpose (Why it is Done):
- For the purpose of exploitation, which includes exploiting the prostitution of others, sexual exploitation, forced labour, slavery or similar practices and the removal of organs. 6/
WHO IS AFFECTED?
Those experiencing economic hardship, lack of social safety net, natural disasters, or political instability. WOMEN & CHILDREN are disproportionally affected, making up as much as 71% of all trafficking victims, including 99% of all sexual exploitation. 7/
Those experiencing economic hardship, lack of social safety net, natural disasters, or political instability. WOMEN & CHILDREN are disproportionally affected, making up as much as 71% of all trafficking victims, including 99% of all sexual exploitation. 7/
$$$
Human trafficking is extremely lucrative, earning traffickers approximately $150 billion/year. Ending this human tragedy will require a multi-faceted approach that addresses the economic, social, cultural, & legal realities that contribute to the problem around the globe. 8/
Human trafficking is extremely lucrative, earning traffickers approximately $150 billion/year. Ending this human tragedy will require a multi-faceted approach that addresses the economic, social, cultural, & legal realities that contribute to the problem around the globe. 8/
WHERE?
Virtually every country in the 🌍 is affected. The challenge 4 all countries, rich and poor, is to target the criminals who exploit desperate people & to protect & assist victims of trafficking, many of whom endure unimaginable hardships in their bid 4 a better life. 9/
Virtually every country in the 🌍 is affected. The challenge 4 all countries, rich and poor, is to target the criminals who exploit desperate people & to protect & assist victims of trafficking, many of whom endure unimaginable hardships in their bid 4 a better life. 9/
THIS CRIME USUALLY REMAINS HIDDEN
Estimates suggest that, internationally, only about .04% survivors of human trafficking cases are identified, meaning that the vast majority of cases of human trafficking go undetected. 10/
Estimates suggest that, internationally, only about .04% survivors of human trafficking cases are identified, meaning that the vast majority of cases of human trafficking go undetected. 10/
SEX TRAFFICKING
Sex trafficking, as defined by federal law, is a "severe" form of human trafficking "in which a commercial sex act is induced by FORCE, FRAUD, or COERCION, or in which the person induced to perform such act has NOT attained 18 YEARS OF AGE…" 11/
Sex trafficking, as defined by federal law, is a "severe" form of human trafficking "in which a commercial sex act is induced by FORCE, FRAUD, or COERCION, or in which the person induced to perform such act has NOT attained 18 YEARS OF AGE…" 11/
SEX TRAFFICKING
Victims often have backgrounds of child physical or sexual abuse and domestic violence but span every socioeconomic and family background. Anyone can fall victim. 12/
Victims often have backgrounds of child physical or sexual abuse and domestic violence but span every socioeconomic and family background. Anyone can fall victim. 12/
SEX TRAFFICKING
Sex traffickers subject victims to debt-bondage, an illegal practice in which they tell their victims that they owe money (the victims’ living expenses & transport into the country, etc.) & that they must pledge their personal services to repay the debt. 13/
Sex traffickers subject victims to debt-bondage, an illegal practice in which they tell their victims that they owe money (the victims’ living expenses & transport into the country, etc.) & that they must pledge their personal services to repay the debt. 13/
SEX TRAFFICKING
Sex traffickers use a variety of methods to “condition” their victims including starvation, confinement, beatings, physical abuse, rape, gang rape, 14/
Sex traffickers use a variety of methods to “condition” their victims including starvation, confinement, beatings, physical abuse, rape, gang rape, 14/
threats of violence to the victims & the victims’ families, forced drug use and the threat of shaming their victims by revealing their activities to their family & their families’ friends. 15/
SEX TRAFFICKING
Victims face numerous health risks. Physical risks include drug and alcohol addiction; physical injuries (broken bones, concussions, burns, vaginal/anal tearings); traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting in memory loss, dizziness, headaches, numbness; 16/
Victims face numerous health risks. Physical risks include drug and alcohol addiction; physical injuries (broken bones, concussions, burns, vaginal/anal tearings); traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting in memory loss, dizziness, headaches, numbness; 16/
sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, syphilis, UTIs, pubic lice); sterility, miscarriages, menstrual problems; other diseases (e.g., TB, hepatitis, malaria, pneumonia); and forced or coerced abortions. 17/
SEX TRAFFICKING
Psychological harms include mind/body separation/disassociated ego states, shame, grief, fear, distrust, hatred of men, self-hatred, suicide, and suicidal thoughts. 18/
Psychological harms include mind/body separation/disassociated ego states, shame, grief, fear, distrust, hatred of men, self-hatred, suicide, and suicidal thoughts. 18/
SEX TRAFFICKING:
Victims are at risk for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – acute anxiety, depression, insomnia, physical hyper- alertness, self-loathing that is long-lasting and resistant to change (complex-PTSD). 19/
Victims are at risk for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – acute anxiety, depression, insomnia, physical hyper- alertness, self-loathing that is long-lasting and resistant to change (complex-PTSD). 19/
SEX TRAFFICKING
Victims may also suffer from traumatic bonding – a form of coercive control in which the perpetrator instills in the victim fear as well as gratitude for being allowed to live. 20/
Victims may also suffer from traumatic bonding – a form of coercive control in which the perpetrator instills in the victim fear as well as gratitude for being allowed to live. 20/
TYPES OF SEX TRAFFICKING
Victims of trafficking are forced into various forms of commercial sexual exploitation including prostitution, pornography, stripping, live-sex shows, mail-order brides, military prostitution and sex tourism. 21/
Victims of trafficking are forced into various forms of commercial sexual exploitation including prostitution, pornography, stripping, live-sex shows, mail-order brides, military prostitution and sex tourism. 21/
TYPES OF SEX TRAFFICKING
Victims trafficked into prostitution & pornography are usually involved in the most exploitive forms of commercial sex operations. Sex trafficking operations can be found in highly-visible venues such as street prostitution, 22/
Victims trafficked into prostitution & pornography are usually involved in the most exploitive forms of commercial sex operations. Sex trafficking operations can be found in highly-visible venues such as street prostitution, 22/
as well as more underground systems such as closed- brothels that operate out of residential homes. 23/
TYPES OF SEX TRAFFICKING
It also takes place in a variety of public and private locations such as massage parlors, spas, strip clubs & other fronts 4 prostitution. Victims may start off dancing or stripping in clubs & then be coerced into situations of prostitution & porn. 24/
It also takes place in a variety of public and private locations such as massage parlors, spas, strip clubs & other fronts 4 prostitution. Victims may start off dancing or stripping in clubs & then be coerced into situations of prostitution & porn. 24/
THE VICTIM’S CONSENT
At first the victim may have consented to something, 4 example being procured 4 prostitution or working on poor terms. However, gradually the balance of power between the victim & the offender changes, & the victim can’t leave the situation. 25/
At first the victim may have consented to something, 4 example being procured 4 prostitution or working on poor terms. However, gradually the balance of power between the victim & the offender changes, & the victim can’t leave the situation. 25/
THE VICTIM’S CONSENT
Forcing an underage person to fall victim to human trafficking is ALWAYS A CRIME, even if the victim has agreed to act as requested at every stage. 26/
Forcing an underage person to fall victim to human trafficking is ALWAYS A CRIME, even if the victim has agreed to act as requested at every stage. 26/
IDENTIFYING TRAFFICKING VICTIMS
The number of identified victims is small mainly because both the offenders and the victims try to hide the trafficking crime from the authorities. 27/
The number of identified victims is small mainly because both the offenders and the victims try to hide the trafficking crime from the authorities. 27/
IDENTIFYING TRAFFICKING VICTIMS
Victims may be afraid of the offender retaliating against them or be suspicious of the authorities. The threshold for seeking help may also remain high because the victims do not know their rights. 28/
Victims may be afraid of the offender retaliating against them or be suspicious of the authorities. The threshold for seeking help may also remain high because the victims do not know their rights. 28/
IDENTIFYING TRAFFICKING VICTIMS
Sometimes the victims may have participated in criminal activity or activities that are disapproved by society, and they are afraid of punishment and/or removal from the country. 29/
Sometimes the victims may have participated in criminal activity or activities that are disapproved by society, and they are afraid of punishment and/or removal from the country. 29/
IDENTIFYING TRAFFICKING VICTIMS
Offenders may also threaten the victims or their loved ones with violence, preventing the victims from contacting the authorities. FOR THESE FACTS IT IS CRUCIAL FOR AUTHORITIES BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE VICTIMS FROM COMMON CRIMINALS! 30/
Offenders may also threaten the victims or their loved ones with violence, preventing the victims from contacting the authorities. FOR THESE FACTS IT IS CRUCIAL FOR AUTHORITIES BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE VICTIMS FROM COMMON CRIMINALS! 30/
IDENTIFYING TRAFFICKING VICTIMS
Victims CAN’T be helped unless they are IDENTIFIED.
Human trafficking is often confused with the effects linked to it. 31/
Victims CAN’T be helped unless they are IDENTIFIED.
Human trafficking is often confused with the effects linked to it. 31/
IDENTIFYING TRAFFICKING VICTIMS
Victims may be treated as illegal immigrants, smuggled migrants, petty criminals, prostitutes, victims of domestic violence or illegal workers, rather than as trafficking victims who have been subjected to exploitation. 32/
Victims may be treated as illegal immigrants, smuggled migrants, petty criminals, prostitutes, victims of domestic violence or illegal workers, rather than as trafficking victims who have been subjected to exploitation. 32/
IDENTIFYING TRAFFICKING VICTIMS
The failure to identify a victim may result in the victim being punished 4 involvement in illegal activity, irregular entry or other offences. It may also result in the victim’s removal from the country, continued exploitation/revictimisation. 33/
The failure to identify a victim may result in the victim being punished 4 involvement in illegal activity, irregular entry or other offences. It may also result in the victim’s removal from the country, continued exploitation/revictimisation. 33/
IDENTIFYING TRAFFICKING VICTIMS
Shortcomings in the identification of victims will also be reflected negatively in crime prevention and on the chances of success for anti-trafficking action. 34/
Shortcomings in the identification of victims will also be reflected negatively in crime prevention and on the chances of success for anti-trafficking action. 34/
THE STAGGERING FACT IS THAT ONLY 1% OF VICTIMS ARE EVER RESCUED! LET THAT SINK IN! Governments, not NGOs & organizations alone, need to put into action to ABOLISH THIS 21st CENTURY ABOMINATION A.K.A SLAVERY!!!! 35/
I focused on dealing with sex trafficking because it generates the most revenue for traffickers. Other forms of human trafficking include FORCED/DEBT LABOUR, FORCED MARRIAGE/ADOPTION, FORCED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY/BEGGING, CHILD SOLDIERS, TRADE IN HUMAN ORGANS. 36/
You can follow Anti-Trafficking organizations & NGOs here on Twitter for more information and/or to support their valuable work. Here are few:
@A21 @enditmovement @NFS @IJM @FreetheSlaves @ExodusCry @UNODC @RescueFreedom @SharedHope
@A21 @enditmovement @NFS @IJM @FreetheSlaves @ExodusCry @UNODC @RescueFreedom @SharedHope
