Running head: Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking is Hitting Home

Kandace Sims
Siena Heights University
4/12/16

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Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is defined as organized criminal activity in which human beings are
treated as possessions to be controlled and exploited (as by being forced into prostitution or
involuntary labor) (Websters 2016) and has become a huge issue all over the world as well as
in the United States, and even more importantly to us, in the state of Michigan. The scariest part
of human trafficking is the blatancy in which it is done and how it is so close to home.
While there are many different resources out there to help stop human trafficking, its still
happening quite often and that is why it needs more attention. Our families and our children need
to be aware of the signs and need to keep their eyes open to the possibility that this could happen
to anyone at anytime, anywhere.

The implications
Fox 17 highlighted a conference that was hosted by the Michigan Human Trafficking
Task Force. During this news cast Fox 17 stated that Lawmakers in Michigan estimate that
every month up to 150 girls under the age of 18 are sold in to the world of sex trafficking. They
also referenced the fact that this industry makes about $32 billion across the world. As of the Fox
News report there had been 150 people arrested with 59 of them being from the Detroit Metro
area; however, because of the activity in Grand Rapids, the FBI is working to put together a task
force there.
One of the important things to remember is that its not just in large cities, or high crime
areas within the united states, many times victims are coming from the suburbs and places of that
nature.

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The Fight

The Michigan Human Trafficking Task force is one of many community

organizations that fight to Identify and rescue victims, prosecute offenders, restore victims, and
educate those in Michigan of human trafficking, in both sexual and labor exploitation.. This
group is made up of about 90 members and as stated above, puts on many events to raise
awareness of human trafficking. They also have many resources for assistance and shelter on
their page; places throughout Michigan.
While there are many smaller community task forces out there, there is also many larger
resources as well. One of them is called Polaris Project and it has a lot of useful information,
including a National Human Trafficking Resource Center that allows you to report a tip, connect
with anti-trafficking services in your area, and well as request training and technical issues.
Polaris project also has a lot of other helpful information regarding sex trafficking as well
as labor trafficking that includes information about each state regarding calls to the National
Human Trafficking Hotline. In Michigan, since 2007, there have been 359 calls to the tip and
crisis line and a total of 1,539. While this is only a small portion of calls and activity, it is way
too many and has to be taken very seriously.
Awareness
Human trafficking deserves much more attention that it is getting at this point. The rising
numbers of people that are getting tricked into trafficking, whether be for sex trade or for labor
trade, is growing every year.

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According to the Polaris Projects National Human Trafficking Hotline, the number of

calls that came in for 2008 was 5,748. As of 2013 there was 31,945 calls into the hotline. That is
an average of about 5,200 calls a year. This includes either self-identifying victim of
trafficking or individuals calling on behalf of a potential victim. (Polaris Project).
Not only are there many laws about human trafficking there is a lot of support and
assistance in dealing with the aftermath of someone who has been trafficked, how to help
identify trafficking and how to help yourself stay out of the situation all together. One article put
out by the United States Department of State is titled What is trafficking in Persons? This article
talks about the man different forms of human trafficking.
There are many different ways someone can be used in human trafficking such as Forced
Labor - his is also called involuntary servitude. It is when employers exploit workers that are
more vulnerable because of high rates of unemployment, poverty, crime, corruption, political
conflict, or cultural acceptance. Many immigrants are vulnerable to this practice. Women that are
involved in involuntary servitude often get sexually exploited. There is also Sex trafficking,
when an adult is forced into prostitution or forced to remain in prostitution by coercion. Many
people are held in this form because of their unlawful debt.
It is important to know that even if a woman enters into prostitution on her own, if she is
forced to stay, she has now become a trafficking victim. Bonded Labor is described as workers
around the world that get thrown into bonded labor because of an unlawfully exploited debt. This
can also be inherited through intergenerational debt. There is also Debt bondage among migrant
laborers that includes abusing contracts and having workers in hazardous conditions. Other types

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of trafficking are Involuntary Domestic Servitude, Forced child labor, child soldiers and child

sex trafficking, most of which are self-explanatory. When we actually take the time to look at all
the ways trafficking goes on in this country and so many other countries, our resources to crime
are really unmeasurable. In a day when slavery should be over with, we are dealing with it on a
level that I never would have imagined.
Aftermath
An article put out by the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons,
Washington D.C. It is called Addressing the internal wounds: The psychological aftermath of
Human Trafficking is a very pertinent article because when a person is removed from a human
trafficking situation, there scars run deep. Just like a soldier that comes home from war. There is
a lot of emotional turmoil that comes with being in a position such as human trafficking. This
article talks about how to help with the aftermath and address the situation.
One thing the article talks about is that if the emotional and psychological effects are not
addressed or dealt with, the potential of re-victimization becomes an issue. It states that because
traffickers dehumanize and objectify their victims, victims innate sense of power, visibility, and
dignity often become obscured. (United States Department of State)
The good thing is there are ways to help reinstate psychological well-being. Some of
these things include establishing a safe network for the victim to use to make sure all their needs
are met, help keep the privacy of the victim, their family and their friends, Get the help and
support of medical experts, social workers, psychologist who are trained in human trafficking
and can provide specific therapy, attend to the victims well-being, provide culturally sensitive

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therapy, help create a empowering environment, keep an eye open for self injury and suicidal
behavior, screen for PTSD, depression, substance abuse, and mental disorders that can form,
provide unconditional support, work towards social and family reintegration, help the victim
rebuild their identity and finally, reestablish skills and self-esteem.
3 Ps
Finally, there are the 3 Ps when dealing with trafficking. 3ps is how the government will
act to help combat human trafficking. The first thing we want to focus on is prevention.
Prevention is a key component in combating human trafficking, this consists of law changes and
labor law modifications, and this also includes more enforcement by the government and
collaboration with other organizations to help with this issue. Another P is Protection. Protection
the key to victim-centered approach in the United States. The article states that there is the 3Rs
rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration. First we have to identify the victims of human
trafficking and then we need to support them and get them the proper resources. The final P
includes Prosecution. We all know what this means, we need to get these people off of the streets
and fight, fight, fight to do it. We need to make sure that the punishment includes things that will
make it harder for people to get back on the streets and continue what they started.
Conclusion
This is a big deal and people need to be educated to prevent from falling victim to this
issue. The word of this horrific crime would serve well posted on billboards and talked about in
every school or church or venue in which people gather. Representatives of websites and help
lines should be doing outreach and former victims would benefit others by talking about what

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happened to them. Awareness is the key in events like this. Its too close to home and people
have too much to lose to not be concerned about an issue such as this. We need to educate
everyone on how important and close to home this issue is.

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References

Addressing the Internal Wouds: The psychological Aftermath of Human Trafficking (2012). In
United States Department of State. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
What is trafficing in Persons (2013). In United States Department of State. Retrieved April 11,
2016.
The 3 P's: Prevention, Protection, Prosecution (2012). In United States Department of State.
Retrieved April 11, 2016.
Falzone, D. (n.d.). Human Traffickin: A Reality in Michigan. In Fox 17 Online. Retrieved April
11, 2016.
(2014). In Polaris Project. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
Human Trafficking Task Force (n.d.). In Human Trafficking MSU. Retrieved April 11, 2016,
from http://www.humantrafficking.msu.edu/