Sex Trafficking 11 Facts about Human Trafficking N

Sex Trafficking (11 Facts about Human Trafficking. N. d. [photograph] Do Something Campaign. Retrieved from https: //www. dosomething. org/facts/11 -facts-about-human-trafficking) Katie St. George HSP 402

What is Sex Trafficking? According to The U. S. Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act, the definition of sex trafficking is: “The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act. ” Trafficking of individuals for exploitive purposes, umbrella termed “Human Trafficking, ” is a modern form of slavery. Sex trafficking is the most common form of human trafficking. Human Trafficking. N. d. [photograph]. WP Blog. Retrieved from https: //ciiche. org/blog/wpcontent/uploads/2015/03/Human_Trafficking_WEB. jpg

The Victims Demographics There an estimated 30 -32 million victims of sex trafficking worldwide. Children comprise around half of sex trafficking victims. 98% of victims are women and female children.

Victim Vulnerability • Socioeconomic Status • The link between poverty and trafficking is complex. • Gender • Lack of Support Systems • Victims of prior sexual abuse • Debt • Age

Physical/Psychological Outcomes of Victims Approximately 30, 000 victims of sex trafficking die each year from abuse, disease, torture, and neglect. The physical and psychological outcomes of survivors are severe and lasting.

The Traffickers Most commonly known as “pimps. ” Most are men. However, many are women who can more easily gain the trust of other women. Many come from countries where gender inequality, political unrest and poverty is high.

The Traffickers (cont. ) They use specific methods to recruit vulnerable victims. They use a variety of techniques to control and dehumanize them.

The “Johns” Most are men. Over half are from developed nations. They vary in age and Socioeconomic status. Many partake in sex tourism. They tend to pay higher for young victims, especially virgins. Many are from countries with high gender inequality. In many countries (such as Cambodia), sex with prostitutes is culturally acceptable and even encouraged. Sex Trafficking in the United States. (2011) [photograph]. The War Room. Retrieved from http: //tomnichols. net/blog/2011/11/20/update-sextrafficking-in-the-united-states/

Although sex trafficking in countries may be caused by different means, the tactics used by traffickers and consequences for victims are often the same. Somali’s Story - Cambodia https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Gz. Bf 3 a 2 m. DVw Kat’s Story - United States https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=1 jy. Vvl 1 W 3 Z 8

Prevalence It’s prevalent because it’s profitable. Human trafficking is one of the most profitable and fastest growing criminal industries. The majority of profit from human trafficking comes from commercial sexual exploitation.

Prevalence It’s prevalent because sex services are in high demand worldwide. Top 10 countries where commercial sex acts are in demand: • • • Cambodia Thailand Italy Spain Japan Netherlands United States China Switzerland France

Prevalence It’s profitable because there is often little risk for traffickers compared to the immense profit potential. It is more likely that victims of sex trafficking will be arrested and treated as criminals by law enforcement than their traffickers.

Common places for Sex Trafficking • Brothels • Strip clubs • Massage Parlors • The streets/neighborhoods • Motels/Hotels • Places where pornography is filmed Some places are more visible than others. A brothel in Vienna, Austria. (Shergold, Adam. Businessman reveals 12 million plan for Europe’s Biggest Brothel. (2012) [photograph]. Mailonline. Retrieved from http: //www. dailymail. co. uk/news/article 2228719/Austrian-businessman-unveils-plans-Europeslargest-brothel-Vienna. html) A strip club in Sacramento. (Cohn, Gary. How enterprise zones are killing the California dream. (2013) [photograph]. Dick Price and Sharon Kyle. Retrieved from https: //www. laprogressive. com/enterprise-zones/) (Purtill, Corinne. Legal, illegal sex work in Westminster, London on the rise. (2013) [photograph]. Mintpress News. Retrieved from http: //www. mintpressnews. com/legal-illegal-sex-workin-westminster-london-on-the-rise/168371/) Two prostitutes on a London street.

Transnational Trafficking Many, if not most, victims are transnationally trafficked. This means that they are brought from their home country to another, often wealthier nation where sex services are higher in demand. An estimated 800, 000 victims are trafficked across international borders every year.

Global Trafficking in non -developed countries Trafficking outside developed nations usually is fueled by • Poverty and economic inequality • Political unrest • Gender discrimination and inequality • Cultural norms These may also be present in developed nations.

United States and other wealthy/developed Sex trafficking/slavery is most common in nations developed nations. • Half of sex trafficking profits are made in industrialized countries Technology plays a role. • Websites such as backpage are making access to sex services in some of these countries easier. • Prevalence/demand for pornography https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=k. CIBm 8 rps 6 Q

A Word about Pornography Many pornography actresses are trafficking victims who may be underage. 80% of pornography is filmed in the United States. By viewing pornography, you are engaging in a commercial sex act and could be promoting sex trafficking.

Does Bellingham have a sex trafficking issue?

Sex Trafficking in Bellingham The answer is Yes. Bellingham’s sex trafficking issue partially stems from: • Proximity from Seattle and port cities • Proximity from Canadian border • Proximity from I-5, a major state highway

A word about the Aloha Motels such as the Aloha (and Mac’s, Villa Inn, etc. ) are hotspots for sex trafficking. They charge hourly rates. They do not require a credit card to rent a room. They enter from the outside, increasing anonymity. The most common locations of these motels are close to I-5.

What can be done? Laws/Policies can be put into place. Individuals can help in many ways!

Sources 11 Facts about Human Trafficking. (n. d. . ) Do Something Campaign. Retrieved from https: //www. dosomething. org/facts/11 -facts-about-human-trafficking 55 Little Known Facts about Human Trafficking. (n. d. ). Random Facts. Retrieved from http: //facts. randomhistory. com/human-trafficking-facts. html Aronowitz, Alexis A. (2009). Human Trafficking, Human Misery: The Global Trade in Human Beings. Santa Barbara, CA: Greenwood Publishing Group. Commercial Sex Act Law & Legal Definition. (n. d. ). US Legal. Retrieved from http: //definitions. uslegal. com/c/commercial-sex-act/ Global sex trafficking fact sheet. (n. d. ). Equality Now. Retrieved from http: //www. equalitynow. org/node/1010 Percentage of Men (by Country) Who Paid for Sex at Least Once: The Johns Chart. (2011). Pro. Con. Retrieved from http: //prostitution. procon. org/view. resource. php? resource. ID=004119 Sex Slavery/Trafficking: Frequently Asked Questions. (n. d. ). Soroptimist. Retrieved from http: //www. soroptimist. org/trafficking/faq. html Studies and Threats Analysis Section (STAS), Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs (DPA). United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). (2011). Estimating illicit financial flows resulting from drug trafficking and other transnational organized crimes. Vienna: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Retrieved from http: //www. unodc. org/documents/dataandanalysis/Studies/Illicit_financial_flows_2011_web. pdf United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN. GIFT). United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). (2008). Human Trafficking: An overview. New York: United Nations. Retrieved from http: //www. ungift. org/doc/knowledgehub/resource-centre/GIFT_Human_Trafficking_An_Overview_2008. pdf U. S. Department of State. (2000). Public Law 106 -386: Victims of trafficking and violence protection act of 2000. Washington D. C. : U. S. Department of State. Retrieved from http: //www. state. gov/documents/organization/10492. pdf Zimmerman, C. et al. (2006). Stolen smiles: A summary report on the physical and psychological health consequences of women and adolescents trafficked in Europe. London: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Retrieved from http: //www. lshtm. ac. uk/php/ghd/docs/stolensmiles. pdf