Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking is arguably one of the most prolific crimes being committed on a daily basis. In my opinion, I personally believe that we do have a human trafficking problem not only in America but at an International level as well. However, I feel that many people do not realize how big the issue is and many others do not understand what “human trafficking” really means.

Trafficking in persons refers to the illegal trade or "sale" of human beings for sexual exploitation or forced labor through abduction, the use or threat of force, deception and fraud. It is the criminal commercial trade of human beings. Every gender, race and age is affected by this crime. The majority of ones affected by this type of crime are those by poverty stricken areas. The victims are typically lured into the crime ring by one of two ways; by promises of employment or force. The end result is the victims being overworked, tortured, raped, physically and mentally abused and sometimes even killed.

The statistics in my opinion speak for themselves on the question at hand of “Do we have a human trafficking problem?” the answer is most certainly yes in my opinion. According to crime statistics, nearly 700,000 women and children are “trafficked” across international borders annually. 80% of those are women and children and 50% of children. Also according to the FBI human trafficking is currently the third largest criminal enterprise in the U.S. behind firearm and narcotic based crimes.

Law enforcement agencies locally and abroad in recent years have begun to educate their officers more on the human trafficking problem