Human Trafficking
I realize that this blog is supposed to focus on positive topics, with the purposes of improving the readers’ lifestyle. However today I wish to address a crime, which received some well-needed extra attention during Super Bowl week here in New York.
Human Trafficking is considered the fastest growing criminal industries in the world, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. It is seen as a high-profit and low-risk crime, where people, mostly children, are a commodity that can be reused. Smuggling people is less risky and visible than exporting arms or drugs.
It is estimated that more than 350,000 children are trafficked across international borders every year. Even though this is mostly associated with the sex trade, with over 100,000 children annually being forced in the sex industry in the US alone, there is widespread Labor trafficking. This ranges from children being forced to work in the Indian cotton trade to the cocoa industry in the Ivory Coast. Every garment you wear, every coffee you drink may be tainted by slave labor at some point.
Thankfully awareness is growing and more resources are available to victims, their families and all who want to get involved. UK and Australia based Stop the Traffik (http://www.stopthetraffik.org) has set up, in partnership with the UN, “Finance against Trafficking”, to warn key industries and their leaders about their potential involvement. Another initiative “Business Travelers against Trafficking” encourages travelers to look out for suspicious individuals and groups when flying. Young girls traveling in business class alone or with an older gentleman are often victims of a crime. Travel technology company Sabre Holdings, owner of Travelocity, announced the “Passport to Freedom” initiative, which will train its 10,000 employees in 60 countries how to identify and report potential trafficking incidents.
In the US, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Transportation and Amtrak have announced, within the last year, joined stepped-up efforts, which include training of 55,000 DOT and 20,000 Amtrak employees.
Companies like Carlson, Hilton, Delta Airlines and Accor all have implemented the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct, a voluntary set of guidelines, introduced in 2004 by Ecpat USA (http://ecpatusa.org/wp/).
Victims also have resources to turn to, even though they often do not know or can not muster the courage to reach out. Polaris Project (http://www.polarisproject.org/index.php) provides 24/7 emergency response through the National Human Trafficking Hotline, counseling to ease the effects of trauma, support groups, and job training/placement assistance.
We, the public, have to play a role in stopping human trafficking. Consider the living conditions of those who make our gadgets or garments, of those who work in the restaurants where we eat. Be mindful and have the courage to report suspicious activity, and for the parents among us, be very aware of the behavior and online activity of your children. What often starts as fun and excitement can quickly turn in to a nightmare.