In 1865 the United States of America passed the thirteenth amendment to the constitution, which abolished slavery in America. In the U.
S. we convey that we’ve learned our lesson, we as a country will not value one human’s life over another. Yet, in the world we live in today, there are more slaves than any other time period in human history. A new form of slavery is slowly starting to take over the world and it’s closer than we think. Some may call it, “human trafficking”, “white slavery”, or “trafficking in person”.
Very slight light is shown on this issue in Connecticut; hence it is very often disregarded. Human trafficking is an issue that is infrequently acknowledged by the people in Connecticut. Most people are either uninformed of the problem or do not distinguish it as a whole. It is a global phenomenon and it is happening right in our backyards. It can be manifested in the form of sex trafficking and forced labor. In this essay, I will explain the situation; give specific statistics in Connecticut, and a resolution to the problem.
Human trafficking is commonly split into two components: sex trafficking and labor trafficking. Sex trafficking tends to clutch the media’s attention more frequently since it is a sensible topic. However, labor trafficking is a lot more usual.
Victims of labor trafficking, work in sweatshops, mines, construction, and agriculture. Many of the labor trafficking victims are younger children because of their guiltless looks. Due to guiltless looks, they’re more capable of collecting money. Although, all the money they collect is taken away from their captors. Working conditions for labor trafficking is very lethal; they are exploited and victims are always put at excessive risk of physical injury. On the other hand, victims of sex trafficking are forced into pornography, prostitution, and other sex acts. It can often be very tough to identify the location of brothels.
They may be detected in what looks like a private home. As sex slaves, women, men, and children are in danger of physical injury from their pimps. They are also in danger of sexual health issues, unintentional pregnancy, and forced abortion. Now, you may be wondering how these victims are taken. Traffickers use fraud and force to deceive their victims.
Most victims are tricked into the thought of an enhanced life and end up imprisoned in an existence they never expected. Traffickers regularly travel to places in poor conditions and/or approach poor families. They propose to send their children to places where they can receive an education or an occupation. Little do they recognize, they’d be sending them to the life of human trafficking. Why don’t victims just run away? Well, that is where ‘force’ comes in. Traffickers use force to sustain control of their victims.
For instance, when victims are taken, traffickers use tactics like diet, physical abuse, sleep deprivation, or drug administration to sustain full control. Human trafficking is happening globally and it isn’t too far away from where we call home. In late 2014 and November 2016, Carlen Davis, 36, “recruited, harbored, and transported” three girls ages 14, 15, and 16, to engage in sexual acts. “Davis used the website Backpage.com to advertise the minor victims’ services, and he transported the girls to Connecticut hotels, including hotels in Meriden, Milford, and Hamden, where they engaged in prostitution,” said a statement released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Davis is now facing a minimum prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum term of life in prison.” In Danbury, Connecticut, three men were detained in connection with human trafficking. “63-year-old Bruce Bemer, of Glastonbury, and 71-year-old William Trefzger, of Westport, were charged with patronizing a trafficked person…A third person, Robert King, of Danbury was previously arrested during the investigation and charged with promoting prostitution and witness tampering,” explained WTNH. Lastly, a young woman by the name of Jennifer has become one of the toughest voices in Connecticut fighting against human trafficking. Jennifer had a challenging life at home in Vermont and decided to go to Connecticut to have a better life.
She decided to move in with one of her “reliable” relatives. As soon as she arrived in Connecticut her aunt introduced her to a man by the name of Brian Forbes. She claimed he would provide her a position in his salon. Nonetheless, as soon as Jennifer arrived at his apartment in East Hartford she knew something was not right. Sooner than later, she was shot up with heroin and forced to do sexual acts on random men.
She was in a state she did not recognize and was afraid. But, she saw a chance to escape and took the risk. Now she is bringing awareness to human trafficking and starting a movement. There have been many calls in Connecticut for human trafficking. Since 2007, there has been a total of 876 calls, and 594 total cases, In 2017 alone there has been 70 calls and 28 human trafficking cases reported. We all have to branch together in order to make a change and drop the number of cases per year. In order for us as a state and as a country to stop the illegal activities of human trafficking, we will need to make strong policies to regulate the action of the people.
I believe there ought to be unforeseen home inspections at least four times a month. This way we will be more likely to uncover the acts of human trafficking amongst our community. Another way to resolve human trafficking is by educating the students about the issue. Many people do not recognize the signs; it’ll be very beneficial to educate the students of our upcoming in anticipations of ending human trafficking.
In conclusion, human trafficking is an issue across the world and across our own town and state. Although it is difficult to identify, it is still happening today: based on real-life stories and statistics. There are two known types of human trafficking, which are, sex trafficking and forced labor, both correspondingly immoral. Together, as a state, we should start a movement and help bring home those who have no voice.
