Introduction
Sex trafficking is among the most lucrative trades around the globe, with thousands of people being victims of such unscrupulous activity. Sex trafficking entails the trading of unwilling persons, to perform sexual activities i.e. either locally or internationally1. The victims are often lured by certain promises such as lucrative jobs and colourful marriages. However, in some cases, traffickers use force (kidnapping) to catch their victims.
Sex trafficking in the United States
Sex trafficking in the United States began many years ago, with many people (especially the women) being victims of this unconstitutional trade. The situation gradually became uncontrollable thus leading to the formation of the Mann act (1910), which outlawed this immoral trade. Currently, sex trafficking is practised in almost all states with California, New York, Florida and Arizona being among the most prone areas2.
Dynamics of the form of migration
Sex traffickers in the US acquire and ship their workforces via several means thus resulting in different forms of migrations. Promises for exceptional jobs and lively marriages are some of the tricks used by the US traffickers, to lure victims into this dishonourable business3. Such tricks are used, by the US traffickers, to obtain workforces from other countries thus enhancing international migrations. Sex traffickers also increase international migration by smuggling workers from different countries from the globe; the US obtain workers from countries like Thailand, China and other Asian countries.
Causes of sex trafficking in the US
Sex trafficking is caused by several factors or circumstances. One of the primary factors that sparkle and accelerate drug trafficking is poverty. This is noted by family members giving up their relatives, in return of large chunks of cash. Additionally, most people venture into such businesses due to poverty; instead of languishing in poverty, why not venture into lucrative dealings such as sex trafficking. Unemployment is also part of the driving forces towards this scandalous business; women are enticed by lucrative jobs, only to find themselves in the hands of these heartless men and women (traffickers). Inadequate security to protect young girls and women from traffickers also plays a significant role in facilitating sex trafficking. Girls and women are increasingly kidnapped by traffickers or by other criminal who later gives up the victims to traffickers, in return of lump sums. Many US citizens are attracted to sex trafficking business due to its profitability; it is extraordinarily lucrative4.
US policies against sex trafficking
Early in the 21st century, the US developed certain policies that aimed at eradicating sex trafficking. Part of the policies advocated for commitment in arraigning and ruthlessly punishing persons who are involved in sex trafficking5. The policy proposed for immunity to victims of this dishonourable trade i.e. with respect to immigration violations. It further proposed for the adoption of thorough preventative measures i.e. to address the fundamental issues that make women more exposed to sex trafficking. However, in as much as the policies look convincing, the prime challenge still remains on how to implement the policies.
Sex trafficking in Thailand
Sex trafficking is rampant in Thailand; the country trades its victims with numerous countries such as US, Singapore, South Africa, Australia, only to mention a few6. It is noted that many Thai ladies fall victims of international traffickers rather than the local ones; mostly, the Thai victims are shipped to countries such as Malaysia, Japan and Taiwan.
Dynamics of the form of migration
It is noted that thousands of victims are being imported and exported by Thai traffickers, which tremendously increases international migrations of the country. The country is known as the global centre of trafficking business following its uncontrollable nature. Sex trafficking significantly contributes to internal migration within Thailand. Thailand Traffickers lure the economically deprived persons, from the rural areas to urban centres i.e. by promising them better jobs7. Sometimes, they use force to capture persons from rural areas i.e. by kidnapping. This tremendously increases rural-urban migrations in Thailand.
Causes of sex trafficking in Thailand
Unemployment or lack of well-paid jobs, especially in rural areas, is among the prime reasons that drive people to such disreputable business. Women are lured by profitable jobs thus falling into traps planted by traffickers. Unemployment drives Thailand citizens to engage in such disgraceful businesses; they would rather enjoy the lucrative bit of sex trafficking, instead of languishing in poverty. Drug trafficking is a lucrative business thus; it attracts many Thailand citizens, especially the poor. Lack of education also plays a considerable role in fueling sex trafficking. Traffickers take advantage of such persons by promising them lucrative jobs, only to realize later that it was a scheme for sex trafficking. Thailand contains certain tribes in the northern part of the country, who are non-citizens; this makes them more vulnerable to such criminal activities, due to their limited constitutional protection8.
Policies against sex trafficking
Thailand has its own policies and approaches for combating sex trafficking. It engages in thorough prosecution of persons found to engage in such an unconstitutional activity. Furthermore, Thailand ensures that persons found guilty faces the full consequence of the law. Thailand’s policies on trafficking grant protection to victims of sex trafficking; they are given medication, foodstuff and also counselled. In the mid-’90s, Thailand government intended to spend quite a fortune in implement this policy (500 million baht); however, the expenditure was suspended at the authorization level (only 100 million was authorized), which posed a massive setback. Thailand also practices extensive prevention measures in their bid to minimize sex trafficking. The country supports several anti-trafficking campaigns and also participate in educating the public about sex trafficking.
How different countries deal with sex trafficking
Several national and international organizations have been formed to spearhead the fight against sex traffickings such as the international justice mission, ICCPR, and ICESCR. Several countries have joined the battle, however, with dissimilar approaches. For instance, Japan enacted several laws that not only prevent the business but also severely punish persons found guilty of sex trafficking. Additionally, Japan entered into certain agreements with Thailand, to fight against sex trafficking. Japan grants counselling services, medication and other basic needs to victims of sex trafficking.
Sex trafficking is also, to a great extent, practised in South Africa. However, the South African government has placed solid measures to fight against this unconstitutional business. The country upped its border securities to ensure that movements are restricted, while the ones crossing are extensively searched. The SA government has also ventured into active investigations and prosecutions against persons who are suspected to practice this outlawed business9. South Africa also assists victims of sex trafficking i.e. by counselling and giving them, human basic requirements.
Conclusion
Sex trafficking is an outlawed business practised by several countries around the globe. Sex trafficking immensely contributes to both local and international migrations. The unscrupulous business is caused and fueled by various factors such as poverty, lack of education and unemployment. The fights against this dishonourable trade are underway, with several countries and organizations adopting different tactics to curb the situation.
References:
Humantrafficking.org, 2006, Thailand, Humantrafficking.org, Web.
Hilton, S 2007, Contemporary Slavery: Sex trafficking in South Africa and Suggested solutions, journal of postamble, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 49-59.
McCabe, K 2008, the trafficking of persons: national and international responses, Peter Lang, New York, pp. 2.
Territo, L & Kirkham, G 2009, International Sex Trafficking of Women & Children: Understanding the Global Epidemic, Looseleaf Law Publications, New York, pp. 1-15.
US department of health and human services, 2010, sex trafficking, US department of health and human services, Web.
Gore, M 2008, sex trafficking in the United States, suite101.com, Web.
Obokata, T 2006, Trafficking of human beings from a human rights perspective: towards a holistic approach, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, pp. 42-45.
Mapp, S 2008, Human rights and social justice in a global perspective: an introduction to international social work, Oxford University Press US, New York, pp.50.
Lind, A & Brzuzy, S (2008), Battleground: women, gender, and sexuality, Greenwood Publishing Group Volume 1, Westport, pp. 531.
Morehouse, C 2009, Combating human trafficking: policy gaps and hidden political agendas in the USA and Germany, VS Verlag, Wiesbaden, pp.159-179.
Footnotes
- McCabe, K 2008, the trafficking of persons: national and international responses, Peter Lang, New York, pp. 2.
- Territo, L & Kirkham, G 2009, International Sex Trafficking of Women & Children: Understanding the Global Epidemic, Looseleaf Law Publications, New York, pp. 1-15.
- department of health and human services, 2010, sex trafficking, US department of health and human services, Web.
- Gore, M 2008, sex trafficking in the United States, suite101.com, Web.
- Morehouse, C 2009, Combating human trafficking: policy gaps and hidden political agendas in the USA and Germany, VS Verlag, Wiesbaden, pp.159-179.
- Humantrafficking.org, 2006, Thailand, Humantrafficking.org, Web.
- Obokata, T 2006, Trafficking of human beings from a human rights perspective: towards a holistic approach, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, pp. 42-45.
- Mapp, S 2008, Human rights and social justice in a global perspective: an introduction to international social work, Oxford University Press US, New York, pp.50.
- Hilton, S 2007, Contemporary Slavery: Sex trafficking in South Africa and Suggested solutions, journal of postamble, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 49-59.