Many of my readers have probably already observed that one of the issues that I have included in several of my books (such as
OBSESSION) is human trafficking, i.e., modern day slavery. In these books, as always, I am searching for truth, justice and redemption for my characters. But what does human trafficking mean for us as readers, authors, and citizens? Since January is Human Trafficking Month, this is a topic I will be visiting several times this month on my blog addressing the who, what, where, when, and whys--and how you can help--of human trafficking.
WHAT IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING?
Definition of Human Trafficking
“Recruitment,
transportation, harboring, or receipt of
persons by means of threats, force,
coercion, abduction, fraud or deception,
or abuse of power or position of vulnerability
or the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having
control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation….”
“Exploitation shall include at a minimum, the
exploitation or the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual
exploitation, forced labour or
services, slavery or practices similar
to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.”
Article
3a of the Convention of Transnational Organized Crime in Shelly, L. Human
Trafficking: A Global Perspective, Cambridge University Press, 2010, pp. 10-11.
Why Should Romance Writers Care?
Estimates
range from 2.5 to 30 million people victims of trafficking.
People
are trafficked for sexual exploitation, forced marriage, labor exploitation, for
begging, for services as child soldiers, adoptions and for their organs.
Two-thirds
are women and children (under age 18 boys and girls) trafficked into sexual
exploitation.
Men
and boys are trafficked primarily for forced labour, child soldiers and
beggars.
Human
trafficking is a women’s issue.
--
International Labor Organization. (2004). Report of
the Director General Crime, Global Alliance Against Forced Labor. in Shelly,
L. Human Trafficking: A Global Perspective, Cambridge University Press, 2010, p. 5.
A Transnational Crime
Asia
Eurasia
and Eastern Europe
Europe
United
States
Latin
America and Africa
--Shelly, L. (2010). Human Trafficking: A Global Perspective, Cambridge University Press.
Culture Predicts Business Model
Asia
Trade
and Development Model—Humans used to build national economy
Natural
Resource Model, Furs, Oil, Lumber, Humans sold as commodities
Violent
Entrepreneur Modal—Balkan Crime Groups, Humans as disposable goods (victims
often tattooed to show which gang owns them)
American
Pimp, High Consumption, Low Savings; Run aways, street children lured, girls
told they’ll live the high life, usually minority women in poverty-stricken
homes.
Super
Market: Low Cost, High Volume; Illegal immigration, People Smuggling goes hand
in hand with trafficking.
Africa
Traditional
Slavery plus High Technology; Nigeria most corrupt nation in the world, Edo is
center of trafficking following old slave routes
Part II of this series will address some of the reasons for this plague. Meantime, why do you think human trafficking exists? Post your responses below to be entered in a drawing for an ebook copy of OBSESSION.
