The annual report can be seen here Trafficking in Persons Report 2008.
I am no expert on Human trafficking – this is a truly heart-wrenching reality.
Did you know that 12.3 million people are in forced labor, forced child labor and sexual servitude. 800,000 people are trafficked across national borders a year, 70-80% women and 50% minors. Enslavement within the borders of one’s own country is a gargantuan problem.
It is a $5 Billion to $9 Billion a year (Wikipedia) business.
From the Report:
The TVPA defines “severe forms of trafficking” as:
a. sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age; or b. the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.
A victim need not be physically transported from one location to another in order for the crime to fall within these definitions.
An incredibly complicated problem, not to be helped by UN Peacekeepers (anybody surprised?) whose presence increases sex-trafficking prostitution (Refugees International). As you might expect UN is initiating a “series of reforms” to address the problem among its 100,000 people in the field. Bleh.
Find something to do about. Not For Sale. Stop the Traffic. If you know of effective/trustworthy org’s, (especially from Christian perspective) that are involved in helping please leave a comment.
International Justice Mission is a leader in efforts to bring justice to the oppressed. They helping to lead the way in helping authorities stop human trafficking and slavery. IJM is made up of gifted and qualified lawyers, legal aides, and support teams from around the world who are passionately committed to being the hands and feet of Christ to bring justice to those who would otherwise have no hope of qualified legal aide. Go to http://www.ijm.org for more info, updates, or to give. I have a friend interning there this summer and have heard the founder of this ministry speak on several occasions. It’s Solid!