Sex trafficking is an issue of concern in many nations across the world. It “is a form of modern slavery that exists throughout the United States and globally” (polarisproject.com), and in such sex traffickers use a variety of tactics to force women, men and children into the world of commercial sex. An estimated 1.5 million people are victims of it every year in North America alone (traffickingresourcecenter.org).

One may think of some small third world country when this phenomenon comes to mind, but it also happens frequently in local neighborhoods. Toledo, Ohio for example, ranks fourth in the country when it comes to this (ccv.com). With the trafficking of women and girls, most of the consumers come from developed countries both in the West and East.

Part of the reason that such has continued to occur over years is that in many nations in the world, “there is little to no perceived stigma to purchasing sexual favors for money, and prostitution is viewed as a victimless crime. Because women are culturally and socially devalued in so many societies, there is little conflict with the purchasing of women and girls for sexual services” (soroptimist.org). In Western countries, on the other hand, the commonly held viewpoint is that women choose to enter into the commercial sex trade on their own accord (soroptimist.org).
Some of the tactics employed by human traffickers include utilizing “means of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of compelling the victim to provide commercial sex acts or labor services” (traffickingresourcecenter.org). The impact such has on its victims goes beyond the physical abuse they sustain, for these individuals “suffer extreme emotional stress, including shame, grief, fear, distrust and suicidal thoughts. Victims often experience post-traumatic stress disorder, and with that acute anxiety, depression and insomnia” (soroptimist.org).

There are about 15,000 people who are trafficked in the US each year, and as such various states have reacted, attempting to create stronger laws against trafficking. Thirty-nine states have responded to the number of victims, but according to Bradley Myles, the CEO of the Polaris Project, more states need to create laws that will assure that children who were trafficked under the age of 18 are not prosecuted for prostitution. Federal law allows for certain protections, but state laws can undermine these efforts (huffingtonpost.com). In this context, Myles said, “We should be treating victims like victims and not like criminals. It’s a reminder that we have so far to go” (huffingtonpost.com).

On Wednesday March 4, Gov. Rick Snyder announced the appointments of more people to two advisory groups focused on human trafficking. The groups are the Human Trafficking Health Advisory Board and the Human Trafficking Commission. The main goal of the latter is to “Educate everybody; everybody under the sun. Every profession, whether it’s legislative or health professions or hospitality” (woodtv.com). In such, education may the first step towards a better understanding and possibly a prevention of human trafficking.

Although it will not be fixed overnight, understanding what it is, along with recognizing the common signs may help. If a person works excessively long hours and is not permitted to come and go as he/she pleases, is unpaid or paid very little via tips, lacks healthcare and appears malnourished, has few if any possessions, is not in control of their ID or passport and cannot identify which city they are in, they may be victims of sex trafficking (polarisproject.org).

Human sex trafficking is a practice widespread throughout the world. It is one that can be witnessed in a variety of local communities; it is a human problem. Taking the first steps towards a solution, like simply knowing the extent of which it exists, may help victims both nationally and around the world.