The United Nations defines human trafficking as ”the recruitment, transport and receipt of people across borders by improper means for an improper purpose, such as forced labor or sexual exploitation." Human trafficking generates about 32 billion dollars each year and is the third largest source of illegal trade, behind guns and narcotics.
Human trafficking has a traumatic effect on the mental, emotional and physical health of men, women, and children who are victimized. Beyond the physical abuse, many victims suffer extreme emotional stress, shame, grief, fear, and distrust. They are often deprived of food and sleep and …show more content…
International governments aren’t taking the Trafficking in Persons Report or the sanctions seriously because they know the President will most likely give them a waiver. As Christopher H. Smith, U.S Representative and writer of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, stated: “The lack of implementation is appalling. The waivers are supposed to be used as an exception, not as a default position. When the exception becomes the rule. I think we have a serious problem of …show more content…
The more time wasted on both issuing ineffective sanctions and debating over the effectiveness of sanctions is time that could be spent looking at the real causes of human trafficking and finding more powerful and successful solutions. Most of us are not politicians or have intentions of being a politician, so what can we do? Both supporters and critics of the sanctions agree that we can try to improve the social and economic conditions, such as closing the gender-wage gap and eliminating corruption and greed, in countries where being trafficked. We can also begin a real conversation and raise awareness about human trafficking not only here in the U.S, but in other places, especially the poor countries where people are more likely to become victims and the countries where these victims are being trafficked to. It won’t be easy or quick, but if we work together as one country and one nation, we can put an end to human