What is human trafficking?
Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. This crime occurs when a trafficker uses force, fraud, or coercion to control another person for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or soliciting labor or services against his/her will. Force, fraud, or coercion need not be present if the individual engaging in commercial sex is under 18 years of age. - SOURCE: Human Trafficking Hotline
HumanTraffickingHottline.org
Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide – including right here in the United States. It can happen in any community and victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality. Traffickers might use violence, manipulation, or false promises of well-paying jobs or romantic relationships to lure victims into trafficking situations. - SOURCE: Homeland Security https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/what-human-trafficking
An estimated 40.3 million victims are trapped in modern-day slavery.
Of these:
24.9 million were exploited for labor.
15.4 million were in forced marriage.
There are 5.4 victims of modern slavery for every 1,000 people in the world.
Human trafficking has become a complete global pandemic. Every day there are more victims being abducted and pushed to perform labored or sexual acts against their will. Victims as young as 11 years old are being subjected to forced labor and violence and much of that is taking place right before our faces. For example, drive down Figueroa St. or up Western Blvd at night and you will see hopeless, young individuals, majority women who are out there working the streets. Sadly heavy streetwalking still persists in these areas and all throughout Los Angeles due to scummy, repulsive, perpetrators who are taking advantage of poor, helpless, individuals.
First, as an Angelino and a young, lively, woman, this directly affects me because it makes me worry about my safety and that of others whom I care for dearly. Human trafficking is not only dangerous to these victims but even to everyday people like you and me. Predators are so brazen that anyone can fall victim to this and I've sadly witnessed it myself which is why I chose human trafficking as my civic engagement topic. Sadly, I've seen someone randomly be abducted in broad daylight right of the street. Witnessing this scared me for life and caused me a lot of concern. It impacted me negatively because I now feel a deep sense of danger, uncertainty, and fear whenever I step out.
Secondly, human trafficking affects me because it makes me feel a deep sense of worriment and empathy for the unfortunate individuals involved. Despite not knowing them on a personal level, I genuinely care about their well-being. I wonder how this is even possible current day? How can one person or group of individuals take advantage and exploit other people? I wonder how these negative experiences affect them physically and emotionally? And if they will ever be able to make out and break the cycle since often these victims endure years of this torture and extortion.
Lastly, human trafficking affects me because it increases the crime rate in the community. Human trafficking subsequently also attracts drug use, drinking, and prostitution. The soliciting and usage blatantly take place out in the streets for everyone to see. Debri of used syringes, cigarette butts, empty bottle cans, and condoms can be easily found in the streets. This makes the neighborhood look unwelcoming and godawful. Moreover, the negative effects of the activity of human trafficking are detrimental to our communities because it also sets a bad example for our young youth.
Gratefully, California has evolved in how it treats underage and adult victims of human trafficking. The state now offers more resources and programs to help victims of human trafficking get back on track. For example, the office of the Los Angeles County District Attorney is ensuring and pursuing multifaceted ways of holding human traffickers accountable by prosecuting human traffickers. Furthermore, 800 number and marketing propaganda has been put in place to help report and prevent human trafficking. Programs such as these can essentially help save the life of individuals.
California is one of the largest sites of human trafficking in the United States. In 2018, 1,656 cases of human trafficking were reported in California. Of those cases, 1,226 were sex trafficking cases, 151 were labor trafficking cases, 110 involved both labor and sex trafficking, and in 169 cases the type of trafficking was not specified.
Human Trafficking Investigation Nets 145 Arrests in LA County
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Special Victims Bureau highlighted four "significant incidents'' that occurred during the operation, including the rescue of three victims and the arrest of a man accused of trafficking them in Los Angeles. - SOURCE: NBC4 LOS ANGELES
*This article provides a look at a heroic operation that recently took place statewide. Operation "Reclaim and Rebuild" took place in California and it consisted of a task unit composed of federal, state, and local agencies. A total of 450 arrests were made statewide and 145 arrests were made in Los Angeles County. The main objective of this operation was to rescue and recover victims of human trafficking and individuals who have been exploited by their perpetrators. Three of the victims were minors. The victims of this operation were offered safety services by DCFS and Saving Innocence, a nonprofit that advocates for child victims of sex trafficking.
Center of Hope L.A. in Inglewood battles human trafficking
*Human trafficking is taking place directly in plain sight and in communities such as Inglewood, CA. Victims are being subjected to prostitution and abuse. However, victims can now receive help. Nonprofits such as the Center of Hope and Forgotten Children Inc. provide the assistance they need. Victims of human trafficking can safely receive help from these organizations which help rescue, restore, educate, and bring hope to victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Human trafficking is among the world's fastest-growing criminal enterprises and is estimated to be a $150 billion-a-year global industry. It is a form of modern-day slavery that profits from the exploitation of our most vulnerable populations.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
The International Labor Organization estimates that there are more than 24.9 million human trafficking victims worldwide at any time. This includes 16 million victims of labor exploitation, 4.8 million victims of sexual exploitation, and 4.1 million victims of state imposed forced labor. The victims of human trafficking are often young girls and women. Young girls and women are 57.6% of forced labor victims and 99.4% of sex trafficking victims.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
Civic Engagement Summary
1.)How has your understanding of civic engagement changed by participating in this assignment? (Think back to week 9, before we started this project when you were asked to define civic engagement).
My understanding of civic engagement has changed by having a deeper understanding of the word itself. After completing this assignment I felt way more inspired and compelled to partake in events or projects that help better or give back to my community. Lastly, I now find myself wanting to be more proactive in things and events that are for the well-being of others on a larger scale.
2.)Were you surprised at the number of people you found in your community who were also affected by the same social issue? Did you expect more? Less? Unfortunately, I was unable to find or interview people in my community due to covid-19
3.)Did you face any challenges while going out into your community and asking people if they were affected by the social issue? N/A
4.)Did you receive any feedback from a community member that was surprising to you? N/A
5.)If you were to redo this assignment, would you change anything? If I were to redo this project the only change I would make or want is, to be able to interview actual victims of human trafficking or visit one of the shelters that help out these victims.
6.)Do you feel as though you were successful in your presentation? Do you feel as though members of your surrounding community and the outlying community will be affected by your blog post? I believe I was pretty successful with my project, however, I think I could had have more success had I been able to one, interview actual victims, two visit a victim shelter, and three interview authority officials who help combat this new emerging pandemic.
7.)Do you have any other closing comments you wish to make about this assignment? I really enjoyed this project and I look forward to seeing what my fellow classmates worked on.
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