GVSU Occupational Therapy
What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is referred to as “modern-day slavery." Human trafficking is the second largest and faster growing criminal industry in the world (Michigan Commission on Human Trafficking). Human trafficking involves using force, fraud, or coercion to control and exploit others. Traffickers profit from the control and exploitation of others by soliciting labor or services. Human trafficking is composed of sex trafficking and labor trafficking.
Sex Trafficking
Sex trafficking occurs when a victim engages in commercial sex (such as prostitution) due to force, fraud, threats, and/or coercion. Perpetrators are involved in recruiting, harboring, enticing, transporting, providing, obtaining, patronizing, soliciting, or maintaining a victim (U.S. Department of State). Minors under the age of 18 engaging in commercial sex are considered victims of human trafficking, regardless of the use of force, fraud, or coercion. Minors engaging in “survival sex” to obtain basic necessities such as food, shelter, or transportation are also considered victims (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, 2019)
Sex trafficking has been found in a wide variety of venues within the commercial sex industry, including residential brothels, escort services, fake massage businesses, strip clubs, and street prostitution (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, 2019).
Labor Trafficking
Labor trafficking, encompasses recruiting, harboring, transporting, providing, or obtaining a victim by use of force or physical threats, psychological coercion, abuse of the legal process, deception, or other coercive means to compel someone to work. Migrants are especially vulnerable to labor trafficking (U.S. Department of State).
Labor trafficking has been found in diverse labor settings, including domestic work in hotels, massage parlors, nail salons, small businesses, large farms, and factories. Under Michigan law, minors under the age of 18 engaging in forced labor are considered victims of human trafficking, regardless of the use of force, fraud, or coercion
(Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, 2019)
Bonded labor (also referred to as debt bondage): Even though this is the most widely used form of labor trafficking, there is a lack of knowledge regarding this form of trafficking. Victims of this form of labor trafficking are demanded to work as a means of repayment for a loan or service in which its terms and conditions have not been defined or in which the value of the victims’ services is not applied toward the liquidation of the debt. The value of their work is greater than the original sum of money “borrowed.”
Forced labor is a situation in which victims are forced to work against their own will. Threats, violence, freedom restriction, and power are held over the victim in order to force labor. Forms of forced labor can include domestic servitude; agricultural labor; sweatshop factory labor; janitorial, food service and other service industry labor; and begging (National Human Trafficking Resource Center).
KEY TERMS
Coercion:
The practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats.
Fraud:
Wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.
Exploitation:
The action or fact of treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work.
Vulnerable:
Susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm.
Marginalized:
Treated as insignificant or peripheral.
Immigrant:
A person who moves from one country to another.
Who are Victims of Human Trafficking?
Victims of human trafficking include men, women, or children. Anyone may be a victim of human trafficking regardless of race, gender, sex, religion, or culture. Human trafficking affects all demographics, but some individuals whom are already vulnerable or marginalized may be more at risk:
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Many victims are taken from southeast Asia, the former Soviet Union, and South America and sold in more developed regions (Michigan Commission on Human Trafficking, 2013)
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Of the estimated 20.9 million estimated human trafficking victims worldwide, an estimated 75% are female and 27% are children (Michigan Commission on Human Trafficking, 2013)
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Runaway and homeless youth are more vulnerable (National Human Trafficking Hotline)
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Minors in the child welfare system (Alliance for Freedom, Restoration, and Justice)
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Individuals who have experienced past violence or trauma (National Human Trafficking Hotline)
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Foreign Nationals/Immigrants and Migrants (Alliance for Freedom, Restoration, and Justice)
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Marginalized groups (Alliance for Freedom, Restoration, and Justice)