Human Trafficking

Criminal Justice: Human Trafficking Human Trafficking is a global and a national problem which eradicates the humanity and dignity of the individual and contributes to a destruction of all the values of freedom, independence and a universal moral code which unites all individuals (nyc.gov, 2013).

In the simplest and plainest terms, human trafficking is modern day slavery which reduces real people to the form of property: women and young girls most often, though sometimes boys and men as well, are often bought and sold against their will through force, fraud or through coercive means and made to work (very often in the sex industry), often for no pay and with constant abuse (tx.us, 2013). Sometimes this abuse can be fatal.

These are all the factors which make up human trafficking, though according to the law, anyone can be found guilty in the charges of human trafficking if they engage in the following: "the recruitment, harboring, transporting, or procurement of a person for labor or services for the purpose of involuntary servitude, slavery, or forced commercial sex acts (tx.us, 2013). Human trafficking can but doesn't have to encompass the smuggling of another human being from one international border to the next, something which disrupts the sovereignty of a nation (tx.us, 2013).

Human trafficking is more debilitating and pervasive as it chips away and seeks to undermine the sovereignty of the individual (tx.us, 2013). It's important to realize that human trafficking is not some international problem only that occurs in far off place: human trafficking still occurs in the motels, inns, clubs and bars of establishments all over America. The criminal justice system is realizing more and more that there needs to be an effective way to prosecute the criminals who perpetuate this crime and to protect the victims and rehabilitate them.

However, this cannot occur in isolation to the moves of other countries, there needs to be a fully choreographed response in the international community. This is a daunting task as the international community is indeed aware that as a phenomenon, human trafficking involves extensive criminal activity that needs to be dealt with as a team effort.

The problem with prosecuting or trying to thwart human trafficking at this time is that most countries are doing so in isolation to one another, without a strong, organized response and with a great deal of trial and error (Gallagher & Holmes, 2008). One of the first ways to combat human trafficking is the simplest though a truly effective means. It's by educating all the professionals who are likely to come into contact with victims of human trafficking.

If these first-responders and investigators are better educated and thus empowered to spot victims of human trafficking so that they can react appropriately. This education is so crucial because many victims of human trafficking aren't going to march up to a police officer and say, "hey, I'm a victim of modern-day slavery." Rather, these victims have been subjected to extensive abuse and intimidation and have been essentially brainwashed to not ask for help.

For starters, professionals in law enforcement need to know the three main ways that they are likely to come into contact with victims of human trafficking: general law enforcement, referral, or stings/raids (tx.us, 2013). In the first way, it's possible for law enforcement officers to come into contact with these victims via their daily activities. For instance, a teenage girl arrested for shoplifting could easily be a victim and the boyfriend she tries to call for help might actually be her pimp (tx.us, 2013).

Another way in which members of the criminal justice department might come into contact with these victims is via a referral by a person or an organization, such as by Human Rights Watch. A raid or a sting means that a law enforcement officer will come into contact with such victims, generally after a first investigation and after proactive response time (tx.us, 2013).

Prevention Unanimously, the criminal justice department of the national and international community along with various law enforcement agencies clearly sees the benefit in prevention, prosecution and protection (PPP) or the PPP approach to human trafficking. For example, prevention again still relies on education, educating people in communities that are most vulnerable to human trafficking. "Most victims of human trafficking are poverty-stricken people who are seeking better lives and are therefore especially vulnerable to manipulation by traffickers.

In many cases, the victims will be 'recruited' by a family member or supposed friend from their school or local community. Because they trust these people, they are often willing to blindly accept the offers that are made, which are usually the possibility of moving to a developed country and work in a well-paid job" (EHT, 2012).

The saddest part about this scenario is that these are people who are from disadvantaged positions who truly are trying to forge a better life for themselves and who are thus sold into slavery, most commonly forced labor or forced prostitution as a means of paying back the debts that they are thus said to owe (EHT, 2012). In conjunction with education, it's also important to raise awareness in countries all over the world, not just in third world countries which are faced with poverty.

This is precisely where the criminal justice system needs to better engage with TV and other forms of media, such as the radio and newspapers, along with the Internet so that people better understand the scenarios, pitches and promises that lure people out to forms of human trafficking to begin with. This is a global responsibility of the world. Prosecution Prosecution is a major duty of the national and international community so that a loud and clear message is transmitted to all parties involved in human trafficking.

The global criminal justice systems has a concrete responsibility to make sure that all parties know that there will be absolutely zero tolerance in regards to human trafficking and that it is seen simply as a modern evil which will be prosecuted to the furthest extent of the law. However, prosecuting the criminals who are responsible for this crime is not simple: so much if this crime is able to persist because it occurs stealthily in the shadows and victims are effectively threatened into silence through coercion and intimidation.

"In order to combat human trafficking, it is essential that the appropriate laws are in place to prosecute and punish the traffickers, and compensate victims for all damages. Greater international cooperation and involvement of law enforcement agencies with specialized training in this field are essential. Stronger support mechanisms that include witness protection services and possible residence permissions for victims are also required.