Every year millions of women and children are trafficked across international borders and within their own countries. Trafficking of persons is defined as the recruitment, transport, or sale of human beings for the purpose of exploiting their labor. Women and children (mostly little girls) are trafficked into bonded sweatshop labor, forced marriages, forced prostitution, domestic servitude, and other kinds of work.
This is a global phenomena occurring in every country around the world, including the U.S. The U.S. State Department estimates that every year tens of thousands of women and children are trafficked into the U.S. for illegal purposes that violate their basic human rights.
Around the world human trafficking has taken on global proportions. According to Human Rights Watch “women are typically recruited with promises of good jobs in other countries or provinces, and, lacking better options at home, agree to migrate.”
After reaching their new country or area, they learn of the deception and the “work” they will actually be forced to do. Most have been lied to regarding the conditions of their employment and the actual financial arrangements. They find themselves in abusive situations where they are forced into an underground world of illegal activity where escape is difficult and death is too often the only way out.
The State Department has even warned that children as young as six have been trafficked for illegal purposes and forced into prostitution in Thailand and other Asian countries. These children come from extreme poverty and their parents are deceived into believing that their children will have a better life abroad with the opportunity for a higher education. The hope for a better life turns into the greatest tragedy.
Yet, one of the factors that has perpetuated this modern day form of slavery is its underground nature. Traffickers have been able to deceive millions and circumvent national and international laws through their underground activity. Campaigns have been started around the world to increase awareness of this global issue and help release victims of trafficking back into society.
If you would like to learn more or help go to www.notforsalecampaign.org/
and www.changemakers.net/
