What is Human Trafficking?
Human Trafficking is the transportation and confinement of people for the purposes of slavery, and prostitution. It is not to be confused with "smuggling", where the persons' relationship with their transporters end upon arrival to their destination and both parties are free.
What Happens to the Victims?
Victims are forced into the sex tourism industry, brothels, massage parlors, escort agencies, strip clubs, sweat shops, pornography, indentured servitude, slave labor Human trafficking is smuggling plus coercion or deception at the beginning of the transportation process and exploitation at the end of the transportation process. "Slavery still exists! In the United States, the law refers to modern-day slavery as trafficking in persons. This means buying, selling or receiving any person for labor or services by force, trickery or coercion in order to exploit them.Recent legislation (the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act 2000, and its 2003 ratification) has increased the penalties for trafficking and increased the social services available to survivors of this horrific crime."
Each year, human trafficking generates millions of dollars for criminals who prey on the most vulnerable— the poor, the uneducated, and the impoverished immigrant seeking a better life. Many toil for years to pay off fictitious debts. Held as captives, trafficked persons toil in slave-like conditions for months and even years with little or no contact with the outside world. . Human trafficking is a serious and pervasive problem in the United States because it is hidden, it is inhumane, it is widespread (even occurring here in San Diego!), and it is criminal.
No matter how the individual is recruited or how they are exploited, their control (through force, deception, coercion and violence) is always the same. In this way victims are made to feel powerless and trapped; unable to imagine that anyone knows or cares about their condition."
"Individuals are often forced or tricked into slavery through promises work. Having been promised work as an agricultural worker, a model, a bar hostess, nanny or maid, these individuals may find themselves forced to do work they never imagined with little to no pay.
How are the Victims Identified?
• Fearful of strangers
• Signs of abuse
• Stress or trauma
• Lacks freedom to move about
• Isolated from community
How are Victims Recruited?
• Mail order brides, maid/housekeeping schemes, illegal adoptions, modeling agencies, smuggling networks
Related Contact Information
Center for Social Advocacy
(619) 444-5700
Training on Community Awareness
San Diego Youth and Community Services
(619) 981-2280
Victim Assistance – Women and Children
Crisis House
(619) 368-9731
Victim Assistance – Women and Men
