Effects of Globalization on Human Trafficking

Effects of Globalization on Human Trafficking

McKenzi P. Roe

South Lyon High Schools Reading and Writing For The College Bound

March 2017

Abstract
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After extensive research, it was discovered that our ever changing globalized world, with

its improved technology and a more advanced society, plays a large role in the expansion of

human trafficking. From the rising vulnerability of foreigners looking for freedom and wealth, to

the advancement of communication and technology, or even the high financial appeal, a wide

range of factors can be linked to the overall cause of this global issue. Along with this variety of

components that make up the origin of this issue, a wide array of consequences result from this

gruesome crime. For every cause of human trafficking, comes an equal and opposite effect that

leaves a lasting impact on the economy, the society, and especially on the trafficking victims

themselves. While globalization cannot be stopped, it is through this research that the depths of

human trafficking can be analyzed at a closer view, thus allowing us to become more educated

on the issue, and therefore more willing and capable of creating and implementing solutions.

With the sinister combination of high profit and low risk, human trafficking has become

the third-largest and fastest-growing crime worldwide. Human trafficking is defined as the forced
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control of a person through fraud or coercion to exploit a victim for forced labor, sexual

exploitation, or both. Over the past decade, the amount of human trafficking that occurs across

the globe has increased at alarming rates. As of May 2014, according to the International Labor

Organization, there are approximately 21 million victims trapped in modern-day slavery; of

these, almost 75% were exploited for forced labor while the other 25% were sexually exploited

(Human Trafficking by the Numbers, 2016).

Human trafficking cannot be pinpointed to just one origin. The root of this issue stems

from a variety of causes, whether it is financial benefits, low risk, or the access to better

transportation and technology, and its disastrous effects can wreak havoc among people and

societies all across our ever changing world. While it is true that this important issue can be

connected to an array of sources, the rapid increase of this issue, however, can be linked to one

complex idea: globalization. Therefore, it is evident that the expansion of human trafficking

across the world is a result of globalization.

Causes of Human Trafficking

While human trafficking varies from country to country, the factors that play a role in

igniting this issue remain similar no matter where you are. In many instances, traffickers tend to

prey on those fleeing a place of poverty to gain wealth and freedom; therefore, multiple human

trafficking victims tend to be extremely vulnerable which puts them as a major target for

traffickers. In addition, political instability, militarism, violence or civil unrest can greatly

influence the amount of trafficking that occurs in a state or region (Center for Global Impact,

2015.). There are a variety of push and pull factors that can be linked to this crime; however,
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the most important question lies within the idea of how greatly globalization has affected the

increase of human trafficking over the past decade.

How Globalized Technology Has Impacted Trafficking

Over the past ten years, the way we interact and communicate with others has

significantly changed. Families ditched their landlines quite some time ago, and theyve traded in

for mobile cellular phones. The internet, and all of its social media, has become faster and greater

than ever before. With this more advanced technology comes an even better more widespread

flow of information, and people have the ability to quickly communicate with others across the

globe.

Technology makes many aspects of human trafficking more visible and more traceable,

for both the better and the worse. With better technology police officials are better able to

identify where traffickers hold their victims, and they have come up with more efficient ways to

save young children and women from sex trafficking situations. While this new globalized

technology provides important benefits to our society, there are also many consequences that

result from this wide range and flow of communication. The problems that stem from this issue

of advanced technology arises when this technology is not used to eliminate crime but instead

facilitate it. Modern technology is allowing criminals to expand the depth of their geographical

activities. In addition, it is becoming much easier for traffickers to communicate with other

criminals in their business, perform financial transactions, and recruit and exploit a wider range

of victims. All of these factors make up the growing issue of human trafficking, and it can all be

traced back to our ever changing, globalized world. For example, almost eleven years ago in

2006, it was discovered that approximately 113 men were trafficked for forced labor from both
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Italy and Poland through the use of internet job advertisements (Ministry of Interior and

Administration, 2008). In addition, the Supreme Court case United States v. Bennett provides

more substantial evidence as to how traffickers are better utilizing modern technology and social

media websites and chatrooms to easily lure their victims, especially women and young children

(Technology and Human Trafficking, 2015).

Whether technology should be considered as an ally or enemy of human trafficking is

still up for greater debate; however, the fact of the matter is that this rapid advancement of

technology is inevitable, and there is no possible way to stop it. Instead, the bigger question that

remains is how we will go about utilizing this technology: do we use it in a way that will benefit

the efforts to prevent human trafficking, or will it continue to be used in a threatening way that

helps facilitate this crime?

The High Profit/Low Risk Appeal

Over the past decade, the human trafficking business has continued to produce extreme

sums of money. To be more exact, The human trafficking industry is estimated to generate

around $150 billion annually, (Economics of Human Trafficking, 2016). How is it possible that

this gruesome crime has continued to thrive as such an exceptionally profitable business? Well,

the answer to that, and one of the leading causes of this issue, is the fact that this business comes

with immense profitability and minimal risk. Globalization has allowed for greater openness in

trade, therefore the trade of human lives has become much easier for traffickers. The largest

motivator for the actions of these traffickers lies simply within the idea of supply and demand.

These criminals find a large supply of unwilling victims, typically young women and children,

who migrate to other countries or regions where they hope to attain freedom, economic stability,
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hope, etc. They pinpoint the most vulnerable candidates and utilize a variety of tactics, like

posting an ad online for a job position that will pay for ones travel and visa into another country,

then when they have acquired their victim, they will sexually exploit them or impose forced

labor. Although supply is a key component, what really drives this business is the demand aspect.

In todays society, a modern-day slave can sell at an average of US $420 and generate 300 to 500

percent or more in annual return on investment (Economics of Human Trafficking, 2016). Why

is this high demand able to stay at such levels? The reason being lies solely in the fact that the

risks of human trafficking are far lower than the risks of trafficking illegal drugs or arms

(International Org. For Migration, 2016). All in all, this crime has become such a massive,

widespread business that appeals to traffickers because of its high profit accompanied with its

low risk.

Effects of Human Trafficking

On The Victim

Depending on the type of trafficking and the situation itself, a victim is susceptible to

experience great psychological and physical damage. In addition, trafficking victims are likely to

be exposed to a variety of illnesses ranging from HIV/AIDS to anxiety and depression or Post-

Traumatic Stress Disorder.

As of 2016, according to the U.S. State Department, Myanmar, Sudan and Haiti have

become the top three worst offenders of human trafficking (Trafficking in Persons Report, 2016).

According to this TIP report, a majority of the trafficking cases found in Haiti involved mostly

young children who worked as domestic helpers and are typically physically abused by
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traffickers (Trafficking in Persons Report, 2016). For most men, women and children in these

third-world, poverty-stricken countries, their vulnerability has reached high peaks, for they all

are searching for a life of better opportunities. In addition, people brought up in these poor

conditions are unfortunately more susceptible to this world of trafficking. Men search for job

opportunities while many women settle for a life of prostitution to provide themselves with some

sort of income, thus making these people an easy target for traffickers.

On The Globe

While the effects human trafficking has on its victims is quite obvious, what is not so

clear is the effects this industry has on society. Most people, at least a majority of the American

people, firmly believe the misconception that trafficking victims are foreign-born, but ultimately

that is not the case. In fact, according to Nita Belles, author of In Our Backyard, an in-depth

examination of human trafficking in the U.S., states that a large percentage of the people

trafficked in the United States are American-born citizens (Human trafficking social impact,

2014). Especially in the U.S., most people are naive and neglect the fact that trafficking is

happening right here within our very borders. This is not just some issue happening across the

world that we hear about on the news, it is an issue growing so prominent that is becoming an

alarming issue among both large American cities and small suburban towns. Globally, there are

more than 27 million victims of human trafficking and modern-day slavery, of these, between

600,000 and 800,000 are trafficked across U.S. borders (Human trafficking social impact, 2014).

As trafficking becomes more widespread among our nation, it only becomes more of a burden on

our economy. As stated by Belles, Because it is a problem that operates so effectively under the

radar, it is difficult to pinpoint how much trafficking costs America, (Human trafficking social
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impact, 2014). According to the 2011 U.S. Department of State, trafficking represents lost

opportunities domestically, including a loss of human resources and future productivity (The

impact of human trafficking, 2011). The effects of trafficking are endless, and society as a whole

suffers a catastrophic blow, including the principles of democratic freedom and society, rule of

law and human rights, gender equality and womens rights, and also security and health systems

(The impact of human trafficking, 2011).

Working Towards a Solution

It is inevitable that as years pass, technology will continue to improve, society will

become more advanced, and our world will continue to become more globalized. With a more

globalized world, it is also evident that society will be more susceptible to the advancement of

human trafficking. While this is true, there are ways to prevent this crime from becoming even

greater than it already is. First of all, it is necessary that we start to become more educated on the

topic of human trafficking and understand that it is a very real issue that can happen close to

home. In order to identify a potential trafficking victim, it is important that we learn the

indicators of human trafficking. In addition, considering the exploitation of these trafficking

victims, it is also urgent that we become an informed and conscientious consumer in our

economic world. Consider who was a part of making the food and clothes you eat and buy, and

take a closer look at the Department of Labors list of goods produced by forced labor (U.S.

Department of State, 2016). No matter how big or small, there are all kinds of steps we can take

as a society in this fight against human trafficking. It all starts with us, and it can all start today.
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