Structural Learning Week 5 - Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking by Rachel Garner

I chose to do my structural learning on Human Trafficking because I feel that this is a really important development issue. Human Trafficking takes place across all corners of the globe and there isn't one continent that is not affected by it. It permeates all aspects of people lives whether they know it or not, a person may not know that they are condoning trafficking purely because they are unaware of how widespread the effects are. For example did you know that Human Trafficking could have been involved in the making of the chocolate bar you ate yesterday? Or the cotton t-shirt you are wearing right now?

So what is Human Trafficking?

The google definition of Human Trafficking is - “the illegal movement of people, typically for the purposes of forced labour or commercial sexual exploitation” – and I suppose this is the crux of what Human Trafficking is.

 However I feel that Human Trafficking was better described by the Arch Bishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby when he said…

            “Human trafficking is a grave crime against humanity. It is a form of modern day slavery and a profound violation of the intrinsic dignity of human beings. It is intolerable that millions of fellow human beings should be violated in this way, subjected to inhuman exploitation and deprived of their dignity and rights. This outrage should concern each one of us, because what affects one part of humanity affects us all. Virtually every part of this world is touched in some way by the cruelty and violence associated with this criminal activity. If we are to combat this evil then we must work together to prevent the crime, support the survivors and prosecute the criminals.”

This definition and explanation highlights how heinous a crime Human Trafficking is, but also how it can often fall under our radars and how that is not acceptable.

Some Facts and Statistics:

How many children are trafficked every year?

1.2 Million (UNICEF)

How many men, women and children are trafficked across INTERNATIONAL borders each year?

600,000 to 800,000 (US Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report 2007)

Of that, what percentage are minors?

50% (US Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report 2007)

At least 20.9 million people are victims of forced labour worldwide. While it is difficult to establish a precise amount, conservative 2012 research estimated trafficking victims as comprising some 44 per cent of this figure. (ILO 2012 Global Estimate of Forced Labour)

Human Trafficking is the second largest source of illegal income worldwide exceed only by drug trafficking. (Belser 2005)

Relevance of Human Trafficking Today:

There are so many examples of human trafficking going on every day. Even in the past couple of weeks since I have been researching this project there have been numerous examples of crimes involving trafficking. Some of which are incredibly close to home. 

Suspected human trafficker and Thai 'baby factory' under investigation - Thai police hunt Japanese man who fathered 15 babies to 11 surrogate mothers in possible trafficking inquiry - Guardian Article

Tilbury Containter Stoways included 13 children. “The group arrived on Saturday on a ship from Belgium and were said by police to be victims of "people trafficking" -  BBC Article

What can be done?

Human Trafficking happens for many different reasons, some people see it as their only way out of poverty and this is not acceptable. A person should not be able to be driven to such desperation that they feel their only answer is to sell a loved one or themselves, on the promise or false hope of a Human Trafficker. Something has to be done to stop this...

STOP THE TRAFFIK

There are so many different ways for people to get involved, but one of the biggest things that you can do is just to be aware – next time you buy chocolate or cotton, look out for the fair trade sign, without that mark you cannot guarantee that what you are buying doesn't involve the trafficking of people.

Especially in industries where it is none that there is trafficking, it is really important to be alert and proactive so as to not accidentally condone it, through purchasing that product.

If you want to get involved in a more physical way then stopthetraffik have a number of different schemes and ideas to help raise awareness and fundraise. A big campaign that they have going on in October is called “The Big Auction”. Here you auction of a skill or talent that you have, even just your time, and the money that is raised goes to stopthetraffik. To find out more about this go to - Big Auction

What Progress Has Been Made So Far?

Through campaigning organisation such as stopthetraffik so much progress has already been made in order to get the breakthrough that is needed...

Just recently Nestle announced that they are on track to have 100% of their cocoa in the UK & I certified by the end of 2015. They are the first major confectionery brand to reach this milestone. Nestle

Hundreds of people have been rescued from human trafficking, and or been prevented from being trafficked in the first place thanks to charities like stopthetraffik and the campaigns that they are running. 176 Saved.

If you want to find out more about human trafficking then there are lots of different documentaries that focus on particular types of traffiking, for example a couple of years ago Stacey Dooley looked into sex trafficking in Cambodia.