The illegal business of recruiting, harboring, transporting, obtaining, or providing a person and especially a minor for the purpose of sex. (1)
5 Stages of Human Trafficking(2):
1. Pre Departure Stage
A person's family, community, and societal can play a role in their likelihood to be trafficked. It has been statistically proven that non-white women from urban communities are the most likely to be trafficked. Although even if one does not have these characteristics they could still be forced into trafficking. Some could be recruited by peers while others are abducted.
2. Travel and Transit Stage
This stage begins at the time of recruitment and ends when they arrive at their destination. This stage can involve multiple stops and can include leaving the country. During this stage they are confined in small spaces with little food or water.
3. Destination Stage
This is where they are put to work in their location. This stage can last a few days to a few weeks. During this stage they experience a lot of violence as their traffickers are trying to establish dominance. They can also be in transit during this time because their traffickers do not want them to be detected.
4. Detention, Deportation, and Criminal Evidence Stage
This stage begins when they are identified by law enforcement.The person being trafficked could be identified by law enforcement or even just a concerned citizen. Hopefully, then a criminal investigation will ensue. The investigation and trial could be very long and difficult, due to the fact that the trafficking victim could be scared to speak about against her abuser. During this time the victim will also have to go through an extensive medical evaluation.
5. Integration and Reintegration Stage
The act of integration would happen if the victim decides to stay in the city/country they have been transported to. Reintegration would be if the victim chose to go back home. Either way, this step is very difficult for the victim and the people in their life. Readjusting to normal life can take the rest of the victim’s life, because their abuse will leave everlasting effects.
A person's family, community, and societal can play a role in their likelihood to be trafficked. It has been statistically proven that non-white women from urban communities are the most likely to be trafficked. Although even if one does not have these characteristics they could still be forced into trafficking. Some could be recruited by peers while others are abducted.
2. Travel and Transit Stage
This stage begins at the time of recruitment and ends when they arrive at their destination. This stage can involve multiple stops and can include leaving the country. During this stage they are confined in small spaces with little food or water.
3. Destination Stage
This is where they are put to work in their location. This stage can last a few days to a few weeks. During this stage they experience a lot of violence as their traffickers are trying to establish dominance. They can also be in transit during this time because their traffickers do not want them to be detected.
4. Detention, Deportation, and Criminal Evidence Stage
This stage begins when they are identified by law enforcement.The person being trafficked could be identified by law enforcement or even just a concerned citizen. Hopefully, then a criminal investigation will ensue. The investigation and trial could be very long and difficult, due to the fact that the trafficking victim could be scared to speak about against her abuser. During this time the victim will also have to go through an extensive medical evaluation.
5. Integration and Reintegration Stage
The act of integration would happen if the victim decides to stay in the city/country they have been transported to. Reintegration would be if the victim chose to go back home. Either way, this step is very difficult for the victim and the people in their life. Readjusting to normal life can take the rest of the victim’s life, because their abuse will leave everlasting effects.
"At the heart of this phenomenon is the traffickers’ aim to exploit and enslave their victims and the myriad coercive and deceptive practices they use to do so." (3)
Signs of Sex Trafficking(2)
- Someone arriving at an urgent care looking for assistance after sexual assault, drug overdose, or pregnancy
- Someone who refuses to disclose personal information to healthcare providers
- A timid child accompanied by a '"friend" or unidentified adult
- Child with a lot of tattoos
- Someone who pays for medical treatment with a large pile of cash
- Someone who refuses to disclose personal information to healthcare providers
- A timid child accompanied by a '"friend" or unidentified adult
- Child with a lot of tattoos
- Someone who pays for medical treatment with a large pile of cash
What can you do?
- Encourage healthy behaviors in relationships (4)
- Foster safe neighborhoods (4)
- Know the signs of sex trafficking
- If you see something, say something
Sources:
1. “Sex Trafficking Legal Definition.” Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. Accessed December 8, 2019. https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/sex trafficking.
2. Greenbaum, V. Jordan. “Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking of Children in the United States.” Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care. Mosby, August 12, 2014.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1538544214000716.
3. “What Is Modern Slavery? - United States Department of State.” U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of State. Accessed December 8, 2019. https://www.state.gov/what-is-modern-slavery/.
4. “Sex Trafficking|Sexual Violence|Violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, February 13, 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/sexualviolence/trafficking.html.
1. “Sex Trafficking Legal Definition.” Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. Accessed December 8, 2019. https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/sex trafficking.
2. Greenbaum, V. Jordan. “Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking of Children in the United States.” Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care. Mosby, August 12, 2014.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1538544214000716.
3. “What Is Modern Slavery? - United States Department of State.” U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of State. Accessed December 8, 2019. https://www.state.gov/what-is-modern-slavery/.
4. “Sex Trafficking|Sexual Violence|Violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, February 13, 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/sexualviolence/trafficking.html.