Discussion question responses and synthesis

¶ … Finally, explain any insights you gained or conclusions you drew as a result.

When I originally embarked upon this research project, I had no idea the extent to which human trafficking was a problem internationally. I assumed it was relegated to a few, shadowy industries in the U.S. However, human trafficking and human enslavement is pervasive across the globe. 'Feeder' nations in the impoverished regions of Latin America and Eastern Europe send human traffic to the United States and to the rest of the developed world, where victims are used in the sex industry, factories, in agriculture, or as domestic workers (Loring et al. 2007). Contrary to stereotypes, some of the victims initially come willingly, lured by promises of better jobs. When they arrive, however, they find themselves in a situation far different from what they imagined, or they may be indebted to the person who transported them and forced to work for their freedom.

Victims live in a constant state of fear -- fear of the authorities as well as fear of their captors. They fear being deported and being sent back to the conditions they tried to flee. I was surprised to learn that 28% of women living in conditions that could be called human slavery had actually seen a healthcare professional, while still under the control of their enslaver (Dovydaitis 2011). This hostile attitude to the authorities, sadly, may not be unjustified, given that it can be very difficult to prove that someone has been trafficked. The conditions for obtaining a T. visa, entitling a victim to work in the U.S., are not always easy, and require the woman to fully cooperate with the authorities and prove that they will face harm if they are returned to their home nations.