When many people hear the word slavery, the only thing that comes to mind is African-Americans being forced to work on plantations. They may also believe that slavery in the United States was resolved by the thirteenth amendment, but it is still thriving (Slavery in History, 2015). There are an estimated 12.3 billion people in forced labor around the world today (An Ancient Trade, 2012). This practice continues today because of a lack of strict laws and public awareness of the issue.
When discussing human trafficking it is beneficial to know the history of slavery around the world and in the United States. Slavery has existed since ancient times, when most slaves were prisoners of war. These slaves were used to work the land (An Ancient Trade, …show more content…
In 2013 he founded the first Michigan Human Trafficking Commission. Since then, he and other leaders have worked to provide more support for victims and have increased punishment for those who exploited them. He has also found funding to provide programs to help the victims and raise awareness for human trafficking (State of Michigan, 2015b). Many studies disagree on the exact definition of human trafficking (Nawyn, Birdal & Glogower, 2013, pg. 56), because of this the estimated number of human trafficking cases is often skewed (Nawyn, Birdal & Glogower, 2013, pg. 58). Schuette has applied funding to determine exactly how big Michigan’s human trafficking business is. (State of Michigan, …show more content…
Typically, consequences of human trafficking mild compared to the benefits of the crime. In order to abolish this practice completely, the penalties for the crime need to be harsher (An Ancient Trade, 2012). Until recently Michigan had lax laws against trafficking. The first law to make human trafficking illegal in Michigan was passed just nine years ago in 2006. Since then it has been added to and strengthened to try to stop eliminate this underground business and assist the victims. Before 2013, “johns,” clients of the victims, could be charged with only a misdemeanor. Now they can be charged with a felony. At this time Michigan law proscribes all forced labor, including sex and labor services, as well as the trafficking of a minor, whether they are forced or not. Breaking these laws could bring sanctions of ten years to life in prison and up to $50,000 fines. Michigan law also provides assistance to the victims through providing legal fees, housing, and other losses caused by their slavery (State of Michigan,
When discussing human trafficking it is beneficial to know the history of slavery around the world and in the United States. Slavery has existed since ancient times, when most slaves were prisoners of war. These slaves were used to work the land (An Ancient Trade, …show more content…
In 2013 he founded the first Michigan Human Trafficking Commission. Since then, he and other leaders have worked to provide more support for victims and have increased punishment for those who exploited them. He has also found funding to provide programs to help the victims and raise awareness for human trafficking (State of Michigan, 2015b). Many studies disagree on the exact definition of human trafficking (Nawyn, Birdal & Glogower, 2013, pg. 56), because of this the estimated number of human trafficking cases is often skewed (Nawyn, Birdal & Glogower, 2013, pg. 58). Schuette has applied funding to determine exactly how big Michigan’s human trafficking business is. (State of Michigan, …show more content…
Typically, consequences of human trafficking mild compared to the benefits of the crime. In order to abolish this practice completely, the penalties for the crime need to be harsher (An Ancient Trade, 2012). Until recently Michigan had lax laws against trafficking. The first law to make human trafficking illegal in Michigan was passed just nine years ago in 2006. Since then it has been added to and strengthened to try to stop eliminate this underground business and assist the victims. Before 2013, “johns,” clients of the victims, could be charged with only a misdemeanor. Now they can be charged with a felony. At this time Michigan law proscribes all forced labor, including sex and labor services, as well as the trafficking of a minor, whether they are forced or not. Breaking these laws could bring sanctions of ten years to life in prison and up to $50,000 fines. Michigan law also provides assistance to the victims through providing legal fees, housing, and other losses caused by their slavery (State of Michigan,