write and essay on the danger of human trafficking

Essay on Human Trafficking

Students are often asked to write an essay on Human Trafficking in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Human Trafficking

Understanding human trafficking.

Human trafficking is a serious global issue. It involves the illegal trade of people for exploitation or commercial gain. Victims are often lured with false promises of well-paying jobs or manipulated by people they trust.

Types of Human Trafficking

The main types of human trafficking are forced labor, sex trafficking, and child trafficking. Forced labor involves making people work against their will. Sex trafficking involves forcing victims into sexual exploitation. Child trafficking includes all these forms but involves children.

Preventing Human Trafficking

To prevent human trafficking, we must raise awareness about its reality. Educating people about its signs and consequences can help prevent it. Additionally, supporting victim services is crucial.

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250 Words Essay on Human Trafficking

Human trafficking, a grave violation of human rights, is a complex issue that has plagued societies globally. It is a form of modern-day slavery, where individuals are exploited through force, fraud, or coercion for various purposes such as forced labor, sexual exploitation, or organ trafficking.

The Scale of the Problem

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports that human trafficking is the third most profitable crime after drug trafficking and arms smuggling. This illicit trade thrives due to poverty, political instability, armed conflict, and corruption, affecting millions of victims, predominantly women and children.

Measures to Combat Human Trafficking

Addressing human trafficking requires a multi-faceted approach. Legal measures, such as strict laws and penalties, are crucial. The Palermo Protocol, adopted by the UN, provides a framework for criminalizing trafficking, protecting victims, and promoting cooperation among states.

The Role of Education and Awareness

Education and awareness play a pivotal role in combating human trafficking. By informing communities about the tactics used by traffickers and the rights of individuals, we can empower potential victims to protect themselves.

Human trafficking is a pressing issue that demands global attention and action. Through a combination of legal measures, education, and international cooperation, we can work towards eradicating this heinous crime and safeguarding human dignity.

500 Words Essay on Human Trafficking

Introduction to human trafficking.

Human trafficking, a grave violation of human rights, is a contemporary global issue that transcends borders, cultures, and economies. It is a multi-billion dollar criminal industry that enslaves nearly 25 million people around the world. This heinous crime involves the illegal trade of people for exploitation or commercial gain and is often referred to as ‘modern-day slavery’.

The Mechanics of Human Trafficking

Human trafficking operates on the principles of supply and demand. The demand for cheap labor, sexual services, and certain criminal activities fuels this illicit trade. The supply side, however, is driven by factors such as poverty, lack of education, gender discrimination, armed conflict, and political instability. Traffickers exploit these vulnerabilities to lure victims with false promises of employment, education, or a better life.

Forms of Human Trafficking

Human trafficking manifests in various forms, including forced labor, sex trafficking, child labor, and organ trafficking. Forced labor, also known as involuntary servitude, is the biggest sector of trafficking in the world. Sex trafficking victims are often involved in prostitution, pornography, or sex tourism. Child trafficking, another gruesome form, involves the exploitation of children in labor, soldiering, or sexual slavery. Organ trafficking, a lesser-known form, involves the illegal trade of organs.

Impacts of Human Trafficking

The impacts of human trafficking are devastating and far-reaching. Victims often suffer physical and emotional abuse, rape, threats, and even death. Additionally, they often face long-term psychological trauma, disease, unwanted pregnancy, malnutrition, social ostracism, and death. The societal implications include the reinforcement of gender and social inequalities, perpetuation of poverty, and undermining of public health, safety, and security.

Preventing human trafficking requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach. It involves strengthening laws and regulations, enhancing victim identification and protection, promoting awareness and education, and fostering international cooperation. Governments, non-governmental organizations, and individuals all have crucial roles to play in this fight against human trafficking.

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5 Essays On Human Trafficking You Can Access Freely Online

Every country faces specific human rights issues, but human trafficking is a problem for every place on the planet. Wherever there’s poverty, conflict, a lack of education, or political instability, vulnerable people are at risk. Human trafficking is the world’s fastest-growing criminal industry. Sexual exploitation brings in most of the billions of dollars of profit, but forced labor also generates wealth. The universality of human trafficking doesn’t negate the fact that the issue is multi-faceted and as a multitude of root causes . Certain countries are more dangerous than others and certain people groups are more vulnerable. To learn more about specific human trafficking issues and solutions, here are five essays you can read or download for free:

“Human Trafficking and Exploitation: A Global Health Concern”

By: Cathy Zimmerman and Ligia Kiss

While labor migration can be beneficial to workers and employers, it’s also a hotbed for exploitation. In this essay from PLOS, the authors argue that human trafficking and the exploitation of low-wage workers have significant negative health impacts. Because of the magnitude of human trafficking, health concerns constitute a public health problem. Thanks to certain business models that depend on disposable labor, exploitation is allowed to flourish while protections are weakened. The essay states that trafficking initiatives must focus on stopping exploitation within each stage of labor migration. This essay introduces a special collection from PLOS on human trafficking and health. It’s the first medical journal collection on this topic. It includes pieces on child sex trafficking in the United States and the slavery of sea workers in South East Asia. Cathy Zimmerman and Ligia Kiss, the guest editors and authors of the first essay, are from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

“Introducing The Slave Next Door”

By: Jen Birks and Alison Gardner

Published in a special issue of the Anti-Trafficking Review on public perceptions and responses to human trafficking, this essay focuses on Great Britain. According to the essay, there’s been a shift in what the public thinks about trafficking based on local reporting and anti-slavery campaigns. British communities are starting to realize how prevalent human trafficking is in their own backyards. The essay takes a closer look at the media and campaigns, how they’re representing cases, and what people are doing with the information. While specific to Britain, it’s a good example of how people can perceive trafficking within their borders.

Jen Birks is an Assistant Professor in media at the Department of Cultural, Media, and visual Studies at the University of Nottingham. Alison Gardner is at the School of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Nottingham with a Nottingham Research Fellowship. She is part of the university’s Rights Lab.

“My Family’s Slave”

By: Alex Tizon

One of The Atlantic’s biggest stories of 2017, this essay tells a personal story of modern slavery. At 18-years old, Lola was given to the writer’s mother and when they moved to the United States, Lola came with them. On the outside, Tizon’s family was, in his words, “a poster family.” The truth was much darker. The essay sparked countless reader responses, including those of people who were once slaves themselves. Reading both the criticism and praise of the essay is just as valuable as the essay itself.

Alex Tizon died at age 57 years old before his essay was published. He had a successful career as a writer and reporter, sharing a Pulitzer Prize while a staff member at The Seattle Times. He also published a 2014 memoir Big Little Man: In Search of My Asian Self.

“Vietnam’s Human Trafficking Problem Is Too Big To Ignore”

By: Thoi Nguyen

In November 2019, 39 Vietnamese people were found dead in a truck container. They were identified as victims of a human trafficking ring. In Nguyen’s article, he explores the facts about the severity of human trafficking in Vietnam. For years, anti-slavery groups have warned the UK about a rise in trafficking, but it took a tragedy for people to start paying attention. Nguyen discusses who is vulnerable to trafficking, how trafficking functions, and Vietnam’s response.

Freelance journalist Thoi Nguyen is a member of Chatham House and a member of Amnesty International UK. In addition to human trafficking, he writes about the economy, finance, and foreign affairs. He’s a specialist in South East Asian geopolitics.

“History Repeats Itself: Some New Faces Behind Sex Trafficking Are More Familiar Than You Think”

By: Mary Graw Leary

This essay highlights how human trafficking isn’t only a criminal enterprise, it’s also an economic one. Leary looks specifically at how businesses that benefit (directly or indirectly) from slavery have always fought against efforts to end it. The essay focuses on government efforts to disrupt online sex trafficking and how companies are working to prevent that from happening. Human trafficking is a multi-billion dollar industry, so it makes sense that even legitimate businesses benefit. Knowing what these businesses are is essential to ending trafficking.

Mary Graw Leary is a former federal prosecutor and currently a professor of law at The Catholic University of America. The Chair of the United States Sentencing Commission’s Victim Advocacy Group, she’s an expert in exploitation, missing persons, human trafficking, and technology.

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About the author, emmaline soken-huberty.

Emmaline Soken-Huberty is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon. She started to become interested in human rights while attending college, eventually getting a concentration in human rights and humanitarianism. LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and climate change are of special concern to her. In her spare time, she can be found reading or enjoying Oregon’s natural beauty with her husband and dog.

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College Essays on Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is a devastating issue that has affected millions of people around the world. For students looking to write a college essay on this topic, there are many angles to approach it from. One approach could be to examine the root causes of human trafficking, such as poverty, gender inequality, and lack of education. Another approach could be to explore the impact of human trafficking on victims and their communities, including psychological trauma, physical harm, and the spread of diseases.

To write a successful human trafficking essay, students may want to include real-life examples of cases or interviews with experts in the field. In terms of essay topics, there are many potential directions to take, including analyzing the effectiveness of current anti-trafficking laws, exploring the relationship between human trafficking and other social issues such as forced labor or sexual exploitation, or discussing the role of technology in combatting human trafficking.

As for college essay on human trafficking, applicants could highlight their commitment to fighting this issue and their past experiences working with organizations or communities affected by human trafficking. It is important for applicants to demonstrate their understanding of the complexity and gravity of this issue, as well as their passion and dedication to making a positive impact.

Overall, writing an effective college essay on human trafficking requires careful research, thoughtful analysis, and a deep understanding of the issue. By exploring various human trafficking essay topics at WritingBros, you can write your own perfect essay on this issue.

Organ Donation Ethical Issues in Relation to Human Trafficking

According to code U.S. code 42 presented in the United States Constitution, 'unlawful for any person to knowingly acquire, receive, or otherwise transfer any human organ for valuable consideration for use in human transplantation if the transfer affects interstate commerce.' The black market allows people...

• Human Trafficking
• Organ Donation

Why Is Slavery Wrong Yesterday And Today

 It's dark cold stormy night but we got to keep moving or shots fired. Run let's go hurry we got to the gate but heard people behind us and it's him go then they were never seen again. But this terrible thing is called slavery....

• Slave Trade

Human Trafficking Not Historical Fact but Nowadays Disease

The topic I decided to do for my vice and narcotics class I felt like was something others would like to know about is on human trafficking, I find it so hard to believe it still goes on you would think it would have came...

• Slavery in The World

Legalization Of Sex Work: Should Prostituion Be Legal

Retail, sale, or exchange of goods for services or objects is one of the oldest professions in history, as is sex work; payment for sexual services. Since sexual needs are one of the main needs of humans it is of no surprise that the sex...

• Prostitution

The Biblical Worldview On The Human Trafficking

Choices to commit a crime, fight against crime, or generate justice for criminal acts are all motivated by our worldview. Incorporating a Christian worldview into the Criminal Justice approach allows you to view behavior and response through the lens of God's expectations. This perspective creates...

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The Issue of Child Sex Trafficking Being a Disorder or Crime

Human trafficking is one of the most severe forms of human rights violation against men, women, and children. It is a market fueled by supply and demand forces. Poverty, corruption, and illiteracy are all baits for trafficking. Forced labor, commercial sexual exploitation, and domestic servitude...

• Sex Trafficking

The Urgent Need to Become Aware of Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking is the action of illegally transporting people from one country to another through the means of force, fraud, deception. Human trafficking is one of the many illegal activities where man controls other people. This type of trafficking usually forms into sex trafficking as...

The Fraud and Deception Behind Human Trafficking

What if someone came into your life and gave you the guarantee of amazing opportunities? This may sound like a great occurrence, but it is quite the opposite once that person enslaves you into human trafficking. Human Trafficking is defined as “the recruitment, transportation, transfer,...

• Child Labour

The Modern Ford of Slavery: Human Trafficking

Would are we ignoring 25 million people globally that are being treated as modern day slaves? Young vulnerable women are promised work and a new life but are abducted, transported, abused and enslaved. They are forced into labor, prostitution, and drugs, living in poor living...

Benjamin Banneker's Letter to Thomas Jefferson: Confronting Slavery

In this letter to Thomas Jefferson, Banneker wanted to demonstrate slavery is a thing from the past and, how inhumane it really is. But, I believe his main argument was how, challenging Jefferson's conclusions of pro-slavery as conflicting with the Declaration of Independence. Within the...

• Benjamin Banneker
• Thomas Jefferson

Notes and Letters of Thomas Jefferson Regarding Slavery

Jefferson is a man of unwavering convictions. Through his letters it is clear that he devoted much of his time and political resources to the promotion of his viewpoints on slavery and the mental capacity of black people. In the span of thirty-two years, Jefferson...

Thomas Jefferson’s Contribution to Ending the Slavery

“Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that is justice cannot sleep forever, “written by the great Jefferson Thomas in his Notes on the state of Virginia. Jefferson Thomas was the third American president. He grew up in Virginia....

Bringing More Attention to Sex Trafficing: Make Your Voice Heard

Sex trafficking is a serious and common situation that can happen during any time and any day. People should be able to be more aware of their surroundings and should be more cautious especially when they are alone. Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn's book...

Soul by Soul: Accurate Account of Slave Trade

Soul by Soul is based on the interstate slave trade (domestic slave trade) that occurred in the nine-tenth century. In the earlier years, it wasn’t recognized as much. Slaveholders called it a “kingdom” for cotton, and they populated the new states of the emerging South-West...

The Issue of Human Trafficking to North Korea

First and foremost, human trafficking expands across the globe to men, women, and children, it doesn’t matter the gender, age or the status of your social class. However; human trafficking affects women the most, in regards to serious foul violations impacting universal human rights that...

• North Korea
• Social Problems

Need to Raise Awareness About Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is something that should be on everyone's radar. You, your friend or ever a family member could be subjected to this horrendous crime. In a 2019 report, the United Nations Office on Drugs on Crime issued a report on human trafficking with more...

The Practice of Human Trafficking in India

Human trafficking is an issue that has received increased attention in recent years. Around the world, politicians have highlighted the problem as a justification for policies that restrict immigration. For example, the President of the United States argues that a border wall is needed partly...

A Brief history about ISIS: Its Stateless Psychology And Mission

ISIS stands for Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. They are also known as ISIL which stands for Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. They are known to cause fear within and outside of countries. Whether it is bombing monumental building that contains a...

The Rehabilitation Of Victims Of Human Trafficking Through Partnership

People who are trafficked are daughters and sons, mothers, brothers, fathers and sisters. Most often, they are individuals who believed they were being given an opportunity to earn money to improve their future and that of their loved ones. Once in a trafficking situation, most...

Best topics on Human Trafficking

1. Organ Donation Ethical Issues in Relation to Human Trafficking

2. Why Is Slavery Wrong Yesterday And Today

3. Human Trafficking Not Historical Fact but Nowadays Disease

4. Legalization Of Sex Work: Should Prostituion Be Legal

5. The Biblical Worldview On The Human Trafficking

6. The Issue of Child Sex Trafficking Being a Disorder or Crime

7. The Urgent Need to Become Aware of Human Trafficking

8. The Fraud and Deception Behind Human Trafficking

9. The Modern Ford of Slavery: Human Trafficking

10. Benjamin Banneker’s Letter to Thomas Jefferson: Confronting Slavery

11. Notes and Letters of Thomas Jefferson Regarding Slavery

12. Thomas Jefferson’s Contribution to Ending the Slavery

13. Bringing More Attention to Sex Trafficing: Make Your Voice Heard

14. Soul by Soul: Accurate Account of Slave Trade

15. The Issue of Human Trafficking to North Korea

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The Threat of Human Trafficking to National Security, Economic Growth, and Sustainable Development

This blog post was authored by Jamille Bigio, senior fellow in the Women and Foreign Policy program, and Elena Ortiz, intern in the Women and Foreign Policy program .

Despite widespread condemnation, human trafficking persists globally—an estimated 25 million people are trafficked worldwide, producing $150 billion annually for perpetrators—and the threat is only growing due to the COVID-19 crisis. To mark National Freedom Day on February 1—the culmination of January’s National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month—we have compiled CFR resources that explore how human trafficking threatens national security, economic growth, and sustainable development, and propose steps for governments, the private sector, and civil society to combat it. 

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The Security Implications of Human Trafficking   Human trafficking fuels conflict and undermines international security. In this CFR discussion paper , Senior Fellow Jamille Bigio and Douglas Dillon Senior Fellow Rachel Vogelstein take stock of the multidimensional threats posed by human trafficking and outline steps for the U.S. government and its allies to promote stability by reducing human trafficking in conflict and terrorism-affected contexts.  

Women Around the World

Women around the world examines the relationship between the advancement of women and u.s. foreign policy interests, including prosperity and stability.  1-2 times weekly., women and foreign policy update, analysis on the role of women in foreign policy and economic development from the women and foreign policy program.  bimonthly., daily news brief, a summary of global news developments with cfr analysis delivered to your inbox each morning.  weekdays., the world this week, a weekly digest of the latest from cfr on the biggest foreign policy stories of the week, featuring briefs, opinions, and explainers. every friday..

Human Trafficking Helps Terrorists Earn Money and Strategic Advantage   Exploring the ways in which human trafficking enables terrorist and armed groups, finances criminal organizations, and supports abusive regimes, Bigio argues in Foreign Policy that ignoring its spread undermines our collective security.

As the Global Economy Melts Down, Human Trafficking is Booming   Analyzing how the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified economic instability worldwide and increased risks of human trafficking and forced labor, Bigio and Research Associate Haydn Welch recommend in Foreign Poli cy how governments, the private sector, and civil society can better protect communities most at risk. 

Modern Slavery: An Exploration of its Root Causes and the Human Toll   The CFR interactive on modern slavery offers key statistics, definitions, graphics, and case studies. This multimedia resource is a powerful introduction for those seeking to learn about the driving forces and consequences of modern slavery.  

Guest Blog Series on Human Trafficking   The Women and Foreign Policy program’s  guest blog series on human trafficking features insights from leading experts on new approaches to improve U.S. and global efforts to curb human trafficking and modern slavery. Topics include opportunities for the Biden administration to combat human trafficking; analysis of the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on human trafficking risks; reflections on the twentieth anniversary of the Palermo Protocol—a landmark international trafficking instrument; steps to curb child labor worldwide (recognizing 2021 as the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labor); how technology can help combat forced labor in global supply chains; and opportunities for data-driven decisions to end modern slavery.   

CFR General Meetings on Combatting Human Trafficking In January 2021, NBC’s Cynthia McFadden moderated a discussion with Sharan Burrow, general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation; Angel Gurría, secretary general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); and Paul Polman,  cofounder and chair of IMAGINE and former CEO of Unilever on the role of the private sector in eliminating human trafficking and forced labor. Last year, Kathleen Hunt guided a conversation with Bigio, Rohingya activist Wai Nu, and former Ambassador-at-large John Cotton Richmond on the security implications of human trafficking . 

CFR Podcast Episodes To mark July 30 as the United Nations’ World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, James M. Lindsay, podcast host of The President’s Inbox and CFR's director of studies, spoke last year with Bigio on the spread of human trafficking and global efforts to address it. CFR’s Why It Matters podcast explored the human cost of labor trafficking in an episode hosted by CFR’s Gabrielle Sierra.

What is the Kafala System?   Traced to a growing demand in Gulf economies for cheap labor, the  kafala  (sponsorship) program gives companies in Jordan, Lebanon, and most Arab Gulf countries complete control over workers’ immigration and employment rights. CFR’s Kali Robinson describes  the modern slavery risks intricately embedded within the kafala system.  

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Human Trafficking Essay Topics, Outline, & Example [2024]

“People for sale” is a phrase that describes exactly what human trafficking is. It also makes for an attention-grabbing title for an essay on this subject. You are going to talk about a severe problem, so it’s crucial to hook the reader from the get-go.

A human trafficking essay is an assignment where you discuss causes, effects, or potential solutions to the problem of modern slavery. A well-written essay can help raise awareness of this complicated issue.

In this article by our custom writing experts, you will find:

• 220 human trafficking essay topics;
• a writing guide;
• an essay sample;
• helpful info on human trafficking.
• 🔝 Top 10 Topics
• ❓ What Is Human Trafficking?
• ✍️ Topics for Any Essay Type
• 📝 Essay Outline
• 📑 Essay Sample
• ✏️ Frequent Questions

🔝 Top 10 Human Trafficking Essay Topics

• History of slavery.
• Slavery in literature.
• Human trafficking awareness.
• Modern slavery: legislation.
• Cultural background of traffickers.
• Globalization and human trafficking.
• Human trafficking vs. human rights.
• Modern slavery and kidnapping.
• Human trafficking rates by country.
• Human trafficking effects on the economy.

❓ What Is Human Trafficking?

The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime determines human trafficking as the recruitment, transportation, harboring, or receipt of persons for the purpose of sexual slavery, exploitation, forced labor, organs removal, etc.

According to the recent reports of the Council of Europe,  human trafficking rates have reached epidemic proportions . Millions of people are being trafficked for different reasons, primarily for sexual exploitation and forced labor. Women and children are the primary victims of human trafficking , which makes the problem especially acute.

One of the most worrying factors that directly impact the increase in trafficking rates is the growing number of refugees and migrants. It’s the largest seen since WWII, and it has intensified during the last years.

Types of Human Trafficking

Before you start writing your essay, it’s essential to review the forms of human trafficking. Knowing them will help you see the bigger picture. Here are the most common ones.

Additionally, victims of human smuggling and child trafficking are often involved in various kinds of labor. While sexual exploitation is one of the major reasons for trafficking, it’s not the only one. These are also serious problems that you can focus on in your essay.

According to Polaris Project, there are 25 types of modern slavery . Among them are:

• Manufacturing in sweatshops;
• Agricultural work;
• Food and cleaning services;
• Beauty and massage salons.

Note that each of these practices has unique traits. It means there are specific methods of recruitment and control associated with them. Make sure to take all essential features of human trafficking into account when writing your essay.

The History of Human Trafficking

If we go back in time, we can see that human trafficking has a long history. Here are some of its milestones:

As you now know, human trafficking is inextricably linked to other crimes against human rights. And the eradication of this phenomenon depends on both governments and ordinary citizens.

What Is Being Done to Stop Human Trafficking

In recent decades, a lot has been done to curb slavery. The United Nations General Assembly has established the World Day against Trafficking in Persons on July 30 . It was done to raise awareness of the situation and promote and protect victims’ rights.

One of the essential frameworks used to combat human trafficking is the 3P: prosecution, protection, and prevention .

Sometimes “ partnership ” is added as the fourth P. Since human trafficking became a pandemic, it requires a combined effort of people working together to overcome this problem. You can learn more about the 3P paradigm from this article by the US Department of State .

You may ask, “What can I do?” Here are some ways in which anyone can help fight human trafficking:

• In each country, there is a hotline where you can report on a known case of human trafficking or an attempt at recruiting.
• Be attentive to various kinds of controversial proposals and promises of a better life.
• Try to avoid bad company.

These recommendations may seem simple, but they can help you stay away from danger, spread awareness, and even save lives.

Before you start writing a human trafficking essay, you need to find a compelling topic. Check out the following list of topics and prompts and choose a subject that interests you.

✍️ Human Trafficking Topics for Any Essay Type

Human Trafficking Argumentative Essay Topics

• We should let survivors inform the public about the dangers of trafficking.
• State laws should protect the rights of trafficking survivors.
• Victim behavior is not the reason for the actions of criminals.
• Present medical facts about the ability of humans to survive a trauma.
• What psychological techniques do criminals use to lure victims?
• School is a safe haven for children from disadvantaged families.
• High social status is not a guarantee of protection against traffickers.
• Deception as a tool for controlling victims of modern slavery.
• Family can provide significant support to a victim of human trafficking.
• Physical violence and threats are the chief tools for controlling traffickers.
• Health workers should follow safety rules when rescuing trafficking victims .
• Countries providing financial advantages for anonymous economic activities should be held accountable.
• Psychologists should comply with ethical standards when assisting victims of trafficking.
• Countries with high trafficking rates should develop maps showing hotspots.
• Victims of modern slavery are not to blame: justification from the criminal perspective.
• Whom should we hold responsible for what happens to the victims in captivity?
• Will economic support for vulnerable groups help reduce the level of human trafficking?
• Prolonged captivity reduces the chances of adaptation after release.
• Exercise and physical activity help victims of trafficking to overcome trauma.
• Medication alone is ineffective in combating PTSD among trafficking victims.

Human Trafficking Argumentative Essay Prompts & Tips

• Who is responsible for human trafficking—the government, police, or society? There is no sufficient progress in stopping human trafficking. This is mainly due to the absence of an unequivocal opinion about who is responsible for the situation. Give your own ideas in this essay.
• The need to inform the public about human trafficking. Demonstrate the necessity to convey this information to the masses. You can also suggest ways of doing it.
• Immediate assistance for the victims of modern slavery. Show why it is important to provide psychological aid to rescued victims. What is the role of nurses and community organizations in it?
• Psychological help to victims of human trafficking: group therapy. Group therapy is based on awareness and acceptance of trauma. These actions are the basis of PTSD treatment. Decide whether it’s the optimal solution for victims’ psychological rehabilitation.
• Countries with widespread human trafficking should develop appropriate laws. Legislation changes are a crucial element of an integrated approach. In this essay, provide a list of existing laws and possible new regulations.
• The devastating impact of modern slavery. Describe the disastrous consequences that victims of human trafficking face. Find stories describing their lives in various media. How did they become victims? What happened to them after release from captivity?
• Tightening police measures as a way to stop human trafficking. Women and children are especially vulnerable targets for traffickers. Demonstrate the need to enable the police to protect them better.
• The high rate of trafficking indicates a high crime rate in a country. Determine which countries have the highest human trafficking rates. What are the related crimes observed there? Is there a correlation?
• The use of technology to catch criminals and traffickers. In this essay, discuss technologies that can help officials stop traffickers. For instance, satellite imagery allows identifying places of victims’ detention.
• International financial law is one of the best ways to stop human trafficking. Would the right to disclose anonymous bank accounts help reduce such crimes? What new laws and agreements are required to allow this?

For an argumentative essay, you need to conduct extensive research and present evidence to support your claim (check out our argumentative essay guide to learn more.) Here are the main steps:

Human Trafficking Persuasive Essay Topics

• An anti-trafficking tax will help decrease the modern slavery rates.
• Is preventing new cases of slavery more critical than saving victims?
• Modern slavery is a serious problem that the CIA should address.
• Ignoring human trafficking is the same as neglecting Nazism.
• Forced labor is an economic problem as it is caused by poverty.
• Border control no longer solves the problem of forced labor.
• Should producers of weapons pay an anti-trafficking tax?
• Imprisonment for paying for escort services will stop human trafficking.
• Will stricter gun control laws help stop human trafficking?
• Victims of human trafficking should receive lifetime financial compensation.
• Human trafficking is a national problem that requires coordination of efforts.
• Treatment of human trafficking victims is a responsibility of society as well as psychologists.
• Two-year state-funded hospital treatment will help survivors to cope with the trauma.
• Are social networks a determining factor in the spread of human trafficking?
• Assess gender disparity in using the labor of human trafficking victims.
• Did the political polarization of society lead to an increase in people smuggling?
• Immigration laws are an effective means of combating modern slavery.
• Human traffickers’ family members capable of domestic violence should share responsibility with criminals.
• Civil and human rights protection laws do not sufficiently address human trafficking.
• People smuggling is not a crime from the criminals’ perspective: is this statement true?

Tips & Persuasive Essay Prompts Related to Human Trafficking

• The President must take personal responsibility. The problem of human trafficking is more acute than ever. It requires the immediate intervention of the President and Vice President. For example, they can declare the upcoming year the year of the fight against human trafficking.
• Criminals guilty of human trafficking should be kept in special prisons. The government should create special jails for rapists and human traffickers with a stricter regime. Moreover, we should prevent these criminals from becoming part of society again. Is this proposal fair?
• Trafficking should be punished with life imprisonment . Today, life imprisonment is mainly reserved for murder. Should human trafficking be penalized to the fullest extent?
• Can self-defense lessons help to avoid the risk of being captured by traffickers? Do you agree that schools should introduce a martial arts training system?
• State laws should permit surveillance in regions with high trafficking rates. Debate whether security is more important than the right to anonymity. Should the government allow the police to access people’s data?
• Public organizations that help the survivors should take official responsibility. If non-governmental associations take it, they can receive financial support. It will help them cooperate more effectively with the police. Do you agree?
• The existence of human trafficking in a country: deontology, utilitarianism and egoism. The United States is officially a democracy. However, the human trafficking rates show that America is close to a feudal society. Criminal ties among the upper class also enforce it.
• Fines as a way to motivate social workers and patrol officers to fight human trafficking. Many activists and police officers work in areas with high human trafficking rates. Do you agree that governments should fine them? Would a system of moderate fines motivate them to be more responsible?
• People who cannot pay rent are easy targets for traffickers. The government should prevent homelessness to combat human trafficking. For instance, it can compensate for the rent of vulnerable demographics.
• Homelessness as the main reason for being captured by traffickers. Homelessness deprives a person of protection. States with the highest human trafficking rates should start building shelters for the homeless. The state should provide them with food, clothing, jobs, and education. This way, traffickers won’t capture them into slavery.

A persuasive essay aims to convince the reader to share your opinion. You can do it by citing facts and statistics (check out our persuasive essay guide for more info.) Here’s how to write it:

Human Trafficking Informative Essay Topics

• How do international organizations fight modern slavery?
• Human trafficking in developed African countries.
• Outline the demography of human trafficking in the US .
• How does society stigmatize trafficking survivors?
• Fair trade as a way to combat modern slavery.
• Sex trafficking from a feminist perspective.
• The role of photography in the fight against forced labor.
• Fighting human trafficking on the dark web.
• Media coverage of human trafficking: ethical aspects.
• Review how anyone can help combat human trafficking.
• Association of human trafficking with social insecurity.
• How can medical institutions provide safety to victims of trafficking?
• Review the political and economic effects of human trafficking in the US.
• What lessons can the US learn from the trafficking situation in Eastern Europe?
• Forced labor and higher education in the US: programs for survivors.
• What US laws protect victims of slavery and define criminal activities?
• Review government statistics on forced labor in the US over the last five years.
• Which American states have the highest human trafficking rates?
• Modern slavery in the Arab world: from ancient times to modern days.
• Using technology to combat forced labor: the latest solutions.

Tips & Informative Writing Prompts for Human Trafficking Essays

• Measures that governments can take to reduce human trafficking. Review legal and informative measures to combat modern slavery. You can base this essay on reports from official government agencies.
• Human trafficking: types, symptoms , and effects. For this essay, present the kinds of trafficking according to the official categorization. It includes divisions according to age, gender, and type of forced labor. You can also describe the symptoms commonly found in victims.
• The history of human trafficking: from ancient times to the 21 st century. Start by describing ancient cultures that used forced labor. Alternatively, you may focus on the history of slavery in the US. Include the latest statistics on reported cases of human trafficking.
• Human trafficking and fundamental humanistic values. Outline humanistic values that are violated by forced labor. Back it up with arguments drawn from the works of famous humanists.
• What are the consequences of human trafficking for victims? Describe the trauma that people develop while in captivity. Use reports from national and global organizations. What physiological symptoms are associated with adaptation after release?
• How does the US deal with the problem of reporting on forced labor? Present ways of communicating the risks of human trafficking. Base this essay on government anti-trafficking reports. Include a list of trafficker indicators and other red flags.
• Environments that put a person in danger of becoming a victim of human trafficking. These include unemployment , homelessness, and the absence of immigration status. You can base this essay on data from governmental reports.
• Informing the population as means of reducing human trafficking rates. Does informing people actually reduce the number of potential victims? Review the best informing strategies used by community organizations.
• Why are migrants the most vulnerable population group in terms of human trafficking? In this essay, provide information on migrants’ life circumstances. Mention the aspects that make them the most vulnerable demographic. Examples include unemployment and insecurity before the law. You can also present the most common schemes by which traffickers capture migrants.
• New approaches to mitigating the effects of modern slavery in psychotherapy. Describe what methods therapists use to help slavery victims. You can present a list of optimal practices for restoring the integrity of survivors’ personalities. For this essay on human trafficking, use scientific articles and reports from practicing therapists.

An informative essay should educate the reader on something they didn’t know before. Have a look at this outline:

Topics for an Expository Essay on Human Trafficking

• Assess social adaptation methods for victims of sexual slavery.
• Social adaptation of men who worked for traffickers in captivity.
• Police memo: evidence sufficient to detain a trafficker.
• Describe how to identify a trafficker based on 7 criteria.
• Power of the image: photo reports on human trafficking.
• Anonymous story of a sexual slavery survivor.
• Present a psychological and demographic portrait of a trafficker.
• Describe the conditions of human traffickers’ detention.
• Dealing with trauma in children who have been in labor slavery.
• Human trafficking in the Southern and Northern states.
• How to restore citizenship and documents after release from captivity.
• How can human trafficking survivors get free medical care?
• Who is more effective in stopping human trafficking: government agencies or community organizations?
• Being in captivity during the war, in forced labor, or sexual slavery: psychological consequences.
• Gender differences in human trafficking victims’ labor.
• Modern slavery’s connection to the criminal underworld in the Northern states.
• Enumerate the reasons why homeless people can end up in captivity.
• How many years does adaptation take for human trafficking survivors?
• Explore the modern meaning of the word “slavery.”
• Discuss ways of psychological support for the families of slavery victims.

Modern Day Slavery Writing Prompts & Tips for Expository Essays

• Human trafficking and modern slavery: real stories told by the media. Review several articles about falling into slavery. You can focus on press coverage from the 2010s. The stories of survivors will speak for themselves.
• Non-governmental organizations of the USA assisting victims: the power of community . Present five influential organizations from California, Texas, Florida, Ohio, and Nevada. Assess the personal contributions of staff. What is the role of local communities?
• How to help a friend if they’ve become a victim of human trafficking. In this essay, list tactics and strategies for assisting forced labor victims. Pay particular attention to compliance with safety regulations.
• What is it like to be a forced labor victim? A more creative task is to describe the situation from the inside. Can victims try to escape and free themselves from slavery? What is the role of psychological pressure from traffickers? How can an ordinary person cope with such a monstrous challenge?
• Prostitution, forced labor, and organ trafficking: a comparison. In addition, describe what forms of modern slavery prevail in different countries.
• Therapy methods in human trafficking survivors. Review what therapy practices are the most suitable for working with the survivors.
• An overview of common human trafficking schemes. These often involve vulnerable demographics, including illegal immigrants and adolescents from underprivileged communities.
• In what conditions do human trafficking victims live? In this paper, explain how life in captivity affects one’s mental health. Determine the connections between trauma and the body’s response to it.
• Ways of integration of human trafficking survivors. Review the best strategies for their adaptation to everyday life. Give examples of social adaptation that include education and employment.
• Human trafficking in the Southern and Border States. Study the situation in Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, and Arizona. Then, describe how to solve the problem. Don’t forget to emphasize the role of social work with illegal migrants.

An expository essay includes a thesis statement, evidence, and a logical conclusion. You can also use elements of creative writing in your paper (feel free to read our expository essay guide for more info.) Here are the main steps:

Human Trafficking Research Paper Topics

• Survival in an unfamiliar city: is an escape from slavery possible?
• What prevents citizens from recognizing victims of human trafficking?
• Are monthly payments for human trafficking survivors justified?
• Dietary adaptation for malnourished forced labor survivors.
• How do the police investigate slavery markets?
• Economic levers to combat human trafficking: practical approaches.
• Describe global criminal connections that lead to modern slavery.
• Being in captivity leads to psychological trauma inherited by victims’ children.
• The use of figureheads on social media is a successful tactic against traffickers.
• Five app projects that will help avoid becoming a human trafficking victim.
• We should ban goods produced by forced labor worldwide.
• Human trafficking transportation problems as an opportunity to catch criminals.
• Research the use of symbolic language in informing victims of human trafficking.
• Funding for the installation of video surveillance systems to catch traffickers.
• People from what socio-economic background are the most vulnerable to child labour and exploitation?
• How can we combat human trafficking during a pandemic?
• Ethics of business and economic relations as a way to combat slavery.
• Informing vulnerable groups about human trafficking and attracting them to cooperation.
• Coordinated interaction of police departments is the key to success in combating people smuggling.

Human Trafficking Research Paper Prompts & Tips

• Deficiencies in US law determine success or failure in the fight against human trafficking. US legislation on human trafficking includes several rules. International acts and agreements also guide it. Nonetheless, the US laws, especially in the leading states, require urgent revision.
• Human trafficking as modern slavery: history repeating itself. Draw analogies between the trends and schemes from the past and the present. What historical practices can be effective in combating slavery? In particular, this concerns the anti-slavery movement and public awareness.
• Domestic human trafficking in the US shows increasing tendencies. Here, analyze the growth of domestic human trafficking cases. Demonstrate the need to create new approaches to catch criminals.
• Technology companies can stop human trafficking. The luring of victims often occurs on social media. Should social networking companies be penalized for failing to act against criminals?
• Can social media campaigns help protect potential victims? It’s necessary to create a program that will inform users about the dangers of trafficking. This method of targeted communication can be very effective.
• City officials should be ready to engage in the fight against modern slavery. Provide examples of American cities that are actively fighting human trafficking. What approaches and practices can be adopted throughout the US?
• Medical institutions are the main asset in combating human trafficking. More than three-quarters of victims receive medical care while in captivity. Health workers have the legal right to place a patient in a hospital and protect them from contact with criminals. This approach has been successful in many states.
• The police have insufficient funding to combat human trafficking. The police are conducting successful investigations, and there are many cases of solved human trafficking crimes. The state can grant more money to the police to uncover more trafficking schemes. It will allow using more advanced technologies in search of criminals.

• Hotlines should be more accessible to victims of trafficking. Hotlines are highly effective in combating human trafficking. They are easy to find on the Internet, but captive victims rarely have access to the network. How can we improve this situation?
• Families of trafficking victims and their participation in the search. Demonstrate the need to establish a format for families’ closer cooperation with the police. Would it help to conduct police investigations more effectively? Should we allow families to conduct their own investigations?
• The US is responsible for the success of international cooperation against human trafficking.

To write a research paper, you study the available information, analyze it, and make conclusions. Here’s a human trafficking research paper outline:

Causes of Human Trafficking Essay Topics

• Discuss psychological factors of human trafficking.
• What personal reasons make people become traffickers?
• Greed as a major reason for human trafficking.
• What are the major causes of sex trafficking?
• Substantial profit as one of the human trafficking root causes.
• Explore the reasons for forced marriages.
• How does social media promote people trafficking?
• Commercialized sex and its contribution to human trafficking.
• Does authoritarianism promote human trafficking?
• Compare the cases of human trafficking in the United States and Thailand.
• Explore the court cases of traffickers. Does the judicial system cope with its duties?
• Why are weak anti-trafficking policies the primary cause of people’s exploitation?
• Discuss the role of government in human trafficking.
• Investigate the reforms on human trafficking. How effective are these measures?
• Lack of relevant laws leads to more trafficking cases. Do you agree?
• Should legal punishments apply to victims as well as traffickers?
• Why is ethnicity one of the main factors of people trafficking?
• Explore the connection between drug addiction and slavery.
• Violent force and threats as major leverages of traffickers.
• Naivety leads to becoming a victim of traffickers. Provide your arguments.

Causes of Human Trafficking Essay Prompts & Tips

• What are the leading causes of human trafficking? Your essay may start with the definition of people trafficking. Think about social and economic factors. Dig into history to find the reasons. Most importantly, look at this issue from various angles.
• Explore poverty as one of the reasons for human trafficking. How does poverty influence people? Can it force them to behave illegally? What are people ready to do for money?
• Migration: is it a cause or a consequence of human trafficking? Some people are so eager to immigrate to developed countries that they can do anything. They are even ready to sell their children to get money or sell themselves into slavery. At the same time, others become traffickers to move to another country.
• Discuss the connection between human trafficking and education. Think about the following: If a person lacks education, they lack knowledge about their rights. They can be deluded more easily. Following this logic, these individuals can become desired prey for traffickers.
• What is the role of war in human trafficking? Do armed conflicts provoke or prevent the spread of slavery? How do they facilitate the development of this problem? Is smuggling flourishing in countries that are at war? These are excellent questions to start with.
• What are the effects of cheap labor demand? Supply and demand are two pillars of economics. If there were no need for a cheap working force, traffickers wouldn’t exploit people so easily. They force their victims to work almost for free while selling the goods at a high price.
• Investigate institutional racism as a root cause of people trafficking. Who is the most vulnerable social class? Naturally, these are marginalized groups. They lack protection at a constitutional level. That’s why they can become victims of traffickers.
• Cultural and social causes of human trafficking. For some nations, selling children, slavery, smuggling, and bonded labor are commonplace. In some countries, such as Uzbekistan, people are forced to work in the cotton fields by the authorities. If you do research, you will see many similar examples worldwide.
• How do natural disasters facilitate human trafficking? The consequences of some natural disasters force people to migrate and find alternative ways to earn money. Some of them have no other option but to let themselves be exploited. 
• How does the absence of safe migration conditions assist people trafficking?  Many people from developing countries want to move to the United States to achieve their American Dream. Traffickers delude fortune seekers, promising well-paid jobs and help in crossing the border.

Discussing human trafficking in a cause-and-effect essay is an excellent way to investigate this issue in detail. You can learn how to write it from our article on cause-and-effect essays . Here’s a recap:

Solutions to Human Trafficking Essay Topics

• How can employers help stop human trafficking?
• Producing films about slavery : is it a problem solution?
• How can we stop human trafficking by learning the indicators?
• How can people protect themselves from traffickers when going abroad?
• Why should employers stop using cheap labor?
• Compare and contrast solutions to labor and sex trafficking.
• The role of parents and caregivers in preventing forced labor.
• How can civic awareness stop human trafficking?
• What is more important: to persecute traffickers or to protect victims?
• In what ways can attorneys help stop people smuggling? 
• Can creating a reliable online platform for job searching help reduce slavery?
• Educational curriculum : should students be taught how to indicate and prevent human trafficking?
• Investigate the list of goods produced by child exploitation as a form of human trafficking. How does this information influence people’s choices?
• Forewarned is forearmed: discuss the effectiveness of anti-trafficking non-profit websites.
• How can stricter validity checks on job-searching websites solve the issue of modern slavery?
• Can the implementation of severe punishments for human trafficking help to curb the problem?
• Legalization of prostitution as a way of preventing sex trafficking.
• How can timely identification of human trafficking indicators save the lives of the victims?
• Fighting against poverty and unemployment as a means of preventing people smuggling.
• Watching documentaries about modern slavery as a problem solution.

Solutions to Human Trafficking Essay Prompts & Tips

• What are the primary solutions to human trafficking? Think about the following: How can this problem be solved on personal and national levels? It’s crucial to mention self-awareness , education, volunteering, and the role of charity organizations. You may also address the necessity to change the law.
• Human trafficking: an international approach. The issue of modern slavery is a global problem. That’s why it should be dealt with at the international level. The authorities all over the world should unite to fight against people trafficking.
• Compare and contrast the effectiveness of volunteering and adopting new policies. On the one hand, volunteers attract public attention to the issue of human trafficking. On the other hand, we should protect marginalized groups at the constitutional level. Otherwise, human trafficking will remain flourishing in the future.
• Coverage of human trafficking cases in social media. Is it a good idea for the victims to share their stories on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook? How can it help prevent this issue? Could it lead to the stigmatization of these people by others? You can start by brainstorming these ideas.
• Discuss whether fundraising is an effective solution to human trafficking. Ponder on how holding a fundraiser helps bring awareness to the problem of modern slavery. What are some other benefits of fundraising, such as financial assistance?
• Donations help prevent human trafficking. Do you agree? Every person can donate some money, clothes, or even shelter for the victims of human trafficking. Business owners may ensure employment opportunities, giving these people a chance for a better future. Focus on the importance of psychological and legal assistance.
• How does the media help prevent human trafficking? The media attracts people’s attention to the problem. They become more aware and careful. The cases of victims are widely discussed, leading to more fundraising and volunteering .
• Explore the anti-trafficking legislation in the United States. Discuss its strengths and drawbacks. What could be changed or done better? Is it effective? How are the rights of marginalized groups protected? These ideas are only the tip of the iceberg.
• Education opportunities for disadvantaged groups as a way of preventing human trafficking. Should the government provide marginalized people with free education? How can it affect human trafficking? Discuss it in your essay.  
• Why is a boycott an effective way of preventing human trafficking? If others start rejecting the goods produced by the victims of human trafficking, traffickers won’t get such huge profits. Everyone can make their contribution to the fight against this issue.

A problem-solution essay is particularly suitable for discussing modern slavery. Explore the facts and suggest how to stop this inhumane practice. Here’s how to write about problems and their solutions:

If you haven’t found a suitable topic, feel free to use our topic generator .

📝 Human Trafficking Essay Outline

Before you start writing, let’s have a look at some aspects to consider in your college essay on human trafficking. Here’s the basic template:

Human Trafficking Essay Introduction: How to Write

The most important part of an essay introduction is a hook. A perfect attention grabber for a human trafficking paper would demonstrate the seriousness of the problem right away. It, in turn, would make your audience eager to read on.

Have a look at some of the ideas for your essay’s hook:

• Cite statistical data related to the current situation with human trafficking.
• Start with a stirring quote to appeal to readers’ emotions.
• Pose a question related to your essay’s topic. Make the reader want to learn the answer.

Besides the hook, it’s logical to start your essay with some background information. This way, even an unprepared reader will understand your essay’s thesis. Think of what your audience may not know about your topic. It will help you determine what to include in this part of the introduction.

Here are some strategies:

• Tell about the countries and regions with the highest trafficking rates—for example, Thailand, the Philippines, India, South Africa, and Eastern Europe.
• Mention reasons behind this problem: unemployment, social discrimination, political instability, armed conflicts, etc.
• Give a solid definition of human trafficking or its specific type. It’s better to formulate your own one rather than take it from a dictionary.

It’s important to notice that your hook and background information should be relevant to your topic. Make sure these elements help to further the understanding of your essay’s main point.

Human Trafficking Essay Thesis

A thesis statement is your essay’s main point formulated in one sentence. It outlines the paper’s direction and provides an answer to the problem stated in the title. You place it at the end of the introduction.

A good thesis statement for a human trafficking essay usually presents the solution to a problem. However, the thesis’ contents depend on your essay’s type. For example, in an informative essay, you don’t need to prove or suggest anything. Instead, you say what you’re going to explain and how you’ll do it.

Once you’ve written the thesis statement, how do you determine whether it’s strong? Well, one way is to answer the questions from the following checklist.

If your answer to all three questions is “yes,” you can be sure of your thesis’s effectiveness.

Finally, don’t forget that the rest of your essay should support your thesis. If necessary, you can rework your statement to better suit the body paragraphs, or vice versa.

Human Trafficking Essay: Main Body

How do you make your essay on human trafficking credible and persuasive? Naturally, you want to add evidence. Here’s how to incorporate it into your paper:

• It’s better to start collecting your evidence before you start writing. Once you’ve found all the necessary information, it will be easier for you to structure the paragraphs. The point is to focus each section on a single aspect.
• Start each paragraph with a topic sentence. It should present the main idea that you will then support with evidence. Ideally, your audience should be able to follow your logic by reading the topic sentences alone.
• Finally, add your evidence. It can be statistics, facts from scholarly articles, quotes, or even anecdotes. Follow it with your explanation of this information. Say how it relates to the topic and supports your thesis.

Human Trafficking Essay Conclusion: Dos & Don’ts

A strong conclusion is a crucial part of any writing. In this final part, you synthesize your essay in a few sentences while adding a twist to it. If a conclusion is done right, it can leave a lasting impression on your readers.

This dos and don’ts list will help you write a perfect conclusion for a human trafficking essay. Check it out:

Don’t forget to introduce statistics in your essay on human trafficking. It’s available on numerous websites of governmental and non-governmental organizations dealing with the problem. You can find more ideas for your paper in our article about writing a child labor essay.

📑 Human Trafficking Essay Examples

We’ve prepared an outstanding sample essay on human trafficking that you can use as inspiration. You’re welcome to download the PDF file below:

Human trafficking is a global problem. It deprives millions worldwide of their freedom and dignity. Traffickers use various tactics to lure children, men, and women into the trap. For that reason, precaution measures should be taken. It is crucial to educate as many people as possible on the issue to ensure everyone’s safety.

Share your thoughts about human trafficking with us! Why do you think slavery is still in demand? If you were a politician, what would you do to prevent it? Tell us your suggestion in comments below!

Learn more on this topic:

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✏️  Human Trafficking Essay FAQ

Human trafficking is a topical issue in society because it’s an inhumane practice that affects millions of people worldwide. Writing on that topic helps understand why it is happening and what can be done about it.

Human trafficking is a very complex phenomenon driven by various economic, social, cultural, and other causes. Factors of a high human trafficking risk are poverty, social instability, exclusion, and lack of education and awareness (e.g., in South Africa.)

Pretty much every fact connected with human trafficking is horrifying. Nearly everything about this phenomenon can be considered a danger. As human trafficking is a form of slavery, it would be naive to presume there are any positive effects whatsoever.

Human trafficking is a serious problem, and you should be able to express your opinion on it. For example, it can be done in the form of an argumentative essay. It is vital to avoid using too many emotionally charged words. Remember to stay objective and provide facts and examples.

🔗 References

• Tips for Organizing an Argumentative Essay: Judith L. Beumer Writing Center
• Human Trafficking Essay: Bartleby
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment: NHS
• Embrace AI, Technology to Beat Human Traffickers: Reuters
• Essay Writing: Purdue University
• What Is Human Trafficking: Anti-Slavery International
• Human Trafficking: Encyclopedia Britannica
• End Human Trafficking: United Way
• Human Trafficking Facts: CRS
• OSCE Resource Police Training Guide: Trafficking in Human Beings: OSCE
• Study on the Economic, Social and Human Costs of Trafficking in Human Beings Within the EU: Europa.eu
• Writing a Research Paper: University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Human Trafficking: FBI
• Human Trafficking: Causes and Implications: Research Gate
• Writing a Persuasive Essay: Hamilton College
• Parts of an Informative Essay: Pen and the Pad
• Expository Essay Outline: Columbus City Schools
• Introductions & Conclusions: University of Arizona
• Writing the Introduction: Monash University
• How to Write a Thesis Statement: Indiana University Bloomington
• Writing a Thesis Statement: Piedmont University
• 4 Ways Anyone Can Fight Human Trafficking: The Muse
• What Fuels Human Trafficking?: UNISEF USA
• What Is Human Trafficking?: Homeland Security
• Psychological Tactics Used by Human Traffickers: Psychology Today
• Psychological Coercion in Human Trafficking: An Application of Biderman’s Framework: NIH
• Warning Signs of Human Trafficking: State of Nevada
• Human Trafficking: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
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Memorable Human Trafficking Essay: Topics & Outline [2024]

Human trafficking is a controversial and highly disputed topic. If your task is to write a text about this serious problem, we will help you! This article will look at essential tips for a well-written human trafficking argumentative essay. Also, you will get a comprehensive list of 75 topics for your research paper or essay on human trafficking. For even more content, you can take a look at our database of essays .

Let’s start!

What Is Human Trafficking?

How to write essay on human trafficking.

• Research Topics

Human trafficking is the process of forcing people to work or have sex against their will. Every year, millions of people worldwide become victims of criminals. No one can be sure that this will not affect them. Traffickers are not interested in the victim’s age, gender, or race — anyone is nothing more than a commodity.

Causes of Human Trafficking

Now, for better writing of human trafficking essay, it is worth understanding the topic’s causes. Here are the most common of them:

✔️ Poverty and lack of stability. The primary victims of traffickers are migrants and the population suffering from wars, disasters, etc. They simply do not have the opportunity to defend their rights and protect themselves. This makes them potential crime victims .

✔️ Devaluation of women and children rights. Some societies have specific cultural norms about women and children. Examples include early forced marriage or lack of birth registration. This further compromises the rights of vulnerable groups of the population and leads to dire consequences. USAID states that 27.6 million people, including children, are trafficked and bought for criminal purposes. Moreover, 98% of victims of sexual exploitation are women and young girls. You should definitely investigate this information in your essay. Causes of human trafficking could be different, but that`s one of the most common.

✔️ Cheap labor. A stable job with a good salary can be a tempting proposition for the poor. Traffickers are well aware of this when they offer employment in restaurants, in the fields, etc. Unfortunately, some employers do not prevent human rights violations and cooperate with criminals.

✔️ Big profit. Human trafficking is the second largest industry in the underworld, with a turnover of $150 billion. Naturally, some do not hesitate to commit a crime for the sake of such earnings. To get more information, you could check more essays about organ trafficking .

✔️ The complexity of detecting crimes. Of course, criminals have learned to hide their actions well, but there are other reasons. It should be understood that victims often do not report violations of their rights. A report from the Canadian Center to End Human Trafficking lists more than five main reasons for this behavior, including a warped perception of the judicial system and fear.

Next, we will look at the types of human trafficking you may encounter in your research of this topic.

Types of Human Trafficking

Let’s delve deeper into the issue and find out about the kinds of trafficking:

🔥 Sexual exploitation

Sexual exploitation is one of the most common and lucrative types of human trafficking. About two-thirds of crimes are committed in this direction. In pursuit of a better life, women and children from all over the world fall into the traps of criminals. The victims are issued with forged documents and forced to live and work in inhuman conditions.

🔥 Forced labor

Often, scammers guarantee their victims a stable job in another city or country, promising good conditions and security. But as soon as people get to traffickers, they are immediately sold for slave labor . They can be sent to plantations, mines, construction sites, or to do other hard work.

🔥 Ilegal orders

In this case, the victims, being captured, become forced executors of the plans of the of criminal gangs’ leaders. Due to the constant terror and threats, they have no other choice. For example, victims may be involved in drug cultivation, begging, or selling counterfeit goods.

Human Trafficking Awareness Month

There is no reliable way to protect yourself from crime or stop human trafficking at the moment. That is why every January, a human trafficking awareness month takes place in the United States. During this period, the U.S. Department of State raises awareness of human trafficking at home and abroad. Also, many international organizations hold seminars and workshops aimed at helping people identify crimes.

What does this mean for you?

It should be understood that knowledge in this topic is essential not only for writing an essay but also in everyday life. After all, everyone can help the world to get rid of human trafficking.

Human Trafficking Movies

How about watching a movie? We have compiled a list of 5 human trafficking movies to help you finalize your thoughts on the topic. Sure, some of them have a share of fiction, but they fully reflect the actual situation.

Here`s the list:

The Whistleblower (2010)

The Whistleblower is a crime drama based on actual events. The main character, as part of the U.N. peacekeeping mission, arrives in Bosnia. In the process of completing the assignment, she discovers an illegal network selling people. Katherine Bolkovats, played by Rachel Weisz, will not sit idly by and will arrest the intruders. However, not everyone shares her enthusiasm. Corruption and apathy become the reasons for the dismissal of the human rights defender.

Tricked (2013)

Tricked is a documentary film about the fight against trafficking in large cities in the United States. You have the opportunity to observe the activities of the Denver human trafficking police squad, which persecute criminals. However, budget cuts and poor court performance make their work meaningless. This movie can help you before writing an essay on human trafficking.

I am Jane Doe (2017)

A Netflix documentary shows the story of the lawsuit against Backpage.com. This site has been displaying ads for the sale of people for sexual slavery for years. After a private screening of the film in Congress, the FBI blocked Backpage’s activities. This story could become a good research topic for a human trafficking essay.

Girl Model (2011)

Girl Model is a documentary focusing on the Japanese human trafficking markets. In this film, one can observe how traffickers lure victims in. The authors also raise the burning topic of the relationship between the modeling business and the human trafficking industry.

Priceless (2016)

Priceless is a romantic drama from the director of “For King and Country,” sheding light on the role of conventional transporters in human trafficking. Priceless is a romantic drama from For King and Country sheds light on the role of conventional transporters in human trafficking . In this film, the fictional character of James Stevens is carrying a load of people without knowing anything about it.

We hope our selection will help you, but we will go directly to learning how to write a human trafficking essay for now!

Human trafficking college essays are similar to other academic papers. However, if you have no idea where to start, don’t worry! We have prepared a detailed plan, following which will help you remember the procedure once and for all.

The human trafficking essay outline is an essential preparatory step before writing the main body of an essay. It is crucial to organize your arguments and evidence and write a short structure of the academic work at this stage. It will not be superfluous to think in advance what you will write in each section and paragraph.

Here’s an example of a possible structure:

Now let’s move on to the analysis of each element!

Human Trafficking Thesis Statement: Examples & Tips

After choosing a topic and preparing a plan, it’s time to formulate the essay’s main idea. The human trafficking essay thesis is a clear statement, mainly at the end of the introduction. The introduction should smoothly lead to this thesis, and the rest of the article should prove or refute it.

Here are some examples of what a thesis statement for human trafficking paper might look like:

“Trafficking in human beings violates the basic rights of victims so that it can be equated with a crime against humanity.”

“Trafficking in human beings is a problem that has not been addressed in the past, so it still has an impact on the international community.”

“The condemnation of the international community has not helped solve the problem of human trafficking in recent decades.”

If you would like more examples of thesis statements, there are dozens of 500 words human trafficking essays on our site.

Human Trafficking Essay Introduction

As mentioned earlier, the entire human trafficking essay introduction should lead the reader to your main point. Therefore, don’t add new and important information here. A good option would be to tell a little about the term’s history or provide general statistics. In addition, you can write a couple of introductory phrases to hook the reader and acquaint them with your thoughts on this issue. At the end of the introduction paragraph, you should insert your thesis statement. After that, you can move on to the next section.

Human Trafficking Argumentative Essay Body

You should put all the vital information obtained during the research in this section. The reader will appreciate it if you refer to sources or even quote famous people!

The main section also has some unspoken rules. It will be much better if, after the introduction, you immediately show your main argument. It should be followed by evidence based on other research, statistics, etc. This cycle can be repeated until you run out of ideas. By adhering to this structure, you’ll make the essay more understandable for the reader.

Essay on Human Trafficking: Conclusion

A human trafficking essay conclusion is an equally important part of the whole work. At this point, you should consider everything you have written and restate a thesis. A competent conclusion will allow the reader to understand that you know the topic.

75 Human Trafficking Research Topics

Now you can confidently say that you have a well-written, well-reasoned human trafficking essay almost ready. To give you some inspiration, we have compiled a selection of 75 human trafficking essay topics. Read them, and feel free to start writing!

If you want more ideas, read other human trafficking essay examples on our website.

• The main reasons why human trafficking is still relevant today.
• How can you fight illegal human trafficking ?
• Explore the history of child labor in America.
• How can we prevent human trafficking ?
• Which countries are most affected by illegal human trafficking ?
• What are the three types of human trafficking in the modern world?
• How does prostitution relate to human trafficking?
• Which organizations are successful in fighting trafficking ?
• What is human trafficking awareness month?
• The problem of using child labor by big companies.

• How is the international community fighting human trafficking ?
• How is human trafficking related to modern slavery ?
• Investigate terrorists as subjects of human trafficking .
• How has globalization affected human trafficking?
• How is the film industry helping to combat human trafficking?
• Human trafficking problems in China.
• Will human trafficking ever end?
• What is the situation with human trafficking in the Philippines?
• What are the possible solutions to human trafficking ?
• Analyze the trafficking situation in Mexico.
• How Mexican cartels are involved in human trafficking.
• What are security issues on the border between Africa and Europe?
• Which segments of the population are most affected by traffickers?
• Does international legislation help to combat human trafficking ?
• How does the human psyche change after slavery ?
• Is human trafficking a problem for all humanity?
• Why are children and women vulnerable to traffickers?
• Why are migrants often victims of slave traders?
• The moral side of the problem of human trafficking.
• How to understand that a person is in bondage?

• The role of corruption in human trafficking .
• How to protect yourself from human traffickers?
• Countries that actively use forced labor .
• Assess organs trafficking as a component of human trafficking.
• How does the war affect the situation with human trafficking?
• How do natural disasters affect the human trafficking situation?
• The Impact of the Internet on the human trafficking industry.
• How is the modeling business related to human trafficking ?
• Linking child pornography to the human trafficking industry.
• Who are major buyers in captive markets?
• What is the reason for the popularity of illegal human trafficking ?
• Who is interested in the prosperity of human trafficking ?
• Are the government’s anti-trafficking campaigns effective?
• How has technology affected the sexual exploitation situation?
• How does community culture influence the spread of human trafficking?
• Is human trafficking a problem for each country or the world as a whole?
• How does poverty affect the trafficking situation?
• Human trafficking as a national security risk.
• What modern slavery looks like, or what is human trafficking?
• Does the U.S. government succeed in combating human trafficking ?
• The role of regular cargo transportation in human trafficking.
• How does human trafficking interfere with human development ?
• How does international police fight human trafficking ?
• The history of human trafficking in Europe.
• The role of social security in the anti-trafficking process.
• Why do victims of human trafficking not talk about their problems?
• What are the main causes of human trafficking?
• How psychotherapy helps victims of slavery?
• The problem of child slavery in the United States.
• How is drug addiction related to human trafficking?
• Why are children an easy target for traffickers?
• Human trafficking and modern society.
• Why can’t society fight human trafficking?
• How is the practice of early marriage linked to human trafficking?
• Consequences of human trafficking for the economy.
• How human trafficking affects the demographics of countries?
• How human trafficking relates to the practice of international adoption ?
• The problem of human trafficking in Thailand .
• The problem of human trafficking in Eastern Europe.
• Human trafficking as a manifestation of antisocial behavior.
• How do the police identify criminal networks for the sale of people?
• The phenomenon of slave markets on the Internet.
• What is the tragedy of human trafficking?
• How the economic situation in the country affects human trafficking?
• Why is it so difficult to identify trafficking networks?

It’s time to choose one of the human trafficking research topics and get started. Remember all the nuances mentioned in the article and share them with your friends!

• What Is Human Trafficking? Homeland Security .
• 5 Prevailing causes of human trafficking. The Borgen Project .
• Types of human trafficking. Interpol .
• National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. U.S Department of State .
• 10 Movies About Human Trafficking. Human Rights Careers .
• Writing a Paper: Outlining. Walden University .
• Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling. United Nations .
• The Worst Countries For Human Trafficking. RadioFreeEurope .
• Child Labour. International Labour Organisation .

Good Argumentative Essay Topics on Human Trafficking with Prompts

Human Trafficking is a controversial and often underserved topic. It’s also an important one. There are many argumentative essay topics on human trafficking you could choose to write about. Here are some ideas to get you started.

• Can abolishing Sex Work help reduce human trafficking cases Essay prompt: Sex work should be abolished but with consideration to the impact it has on vulnerable groups, particularly women. However, I do not think it would end human trafficking but it will surely contribute to its reduction. Sex work is one of the biggest contributors to human trafficking.
• Sex trafficking and comparing it to a book called “Oryx and Crake” Essay prompt: Sex trafficking is a violation of human rights. Human trafficking is a serious crime. Sex trafficking involves activities like sex exploitation and sex slavery. The consent of a person cannot be relevant if it was obtained by coercion, fraud, or deception.

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• Combating Human Trafficking Through Facial Recognition Essay prompt: Trafficking in persons continues to be a growing global health issue. Often, people do not entirely understand the circumstances regarding why people become trafficking victims.
• Providing Better Services for Human Trafficking Survivors Essay prompt: Human trafficking is a major challenge facing society today. Improving coordination among all entities involved, including local and federal enforcement, health care, social services, and non-governmental organizations will be integral to improving the outcomes for survivors of the vice.
• Briefing Paper Topic Proposal: Human Trafficking Essay prompt: Women and children are particularly vulnerable to human trafficking, with mean, purpose, and the act itself important ingredients to determine human trafficking…
• Human Trafficking and Nurse’s Understanding Essay prompt: Human trafficking is a commercial activity involving human beings as the prime goods for forced labor, sexual motives, and removal of body organs such as ova in females. The act is illegal since it has some negative consequences on the psychological, health, safety, and violation of human rights.
• Human Trafficking and its Impacts on the Health Care Industry Essay prompt: Globalization and the international political economy have resulted in a rapid interconnection between the nations therein. Nowadays, countries are so interconnected that the world has become more like one global village. It has made life more convenient and business more expansive.
• Law Essay: Human Trafficking and Crimes Against Children Essay prompt: Human Trafficking and Crimes Against Children. Identify and Discuss the Process, Means, And Ends of Human Trafficking. (Argumentative Essay Topics on Human Trafficking)
• Sex Trafficking and Its Reporting Essay prompt: Despite advancements in technology and tight security across the borders of North American countries, sex trafficking remains rampant. In the United States alone, it is estimated that more than 15,000 foreigners are trafficked every year.

Opinion Ideas for Writing/Opinion Essay Topics – Writing Prompts for Opinion| Structure | How to Write

• Worldwide Database on Human Trafficking. Law Coursework Essay prompt: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is responsible for fighting against international crime, human and drug trafficking.

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• Introduction

The trafficking scheme

Types of exploitation, legal response, human trafficking as organized crime, prevention and control of human trafficking.

human trafficking

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• United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime - Human Trafficking
• U.S Department of Homeland Security - Blue Campaign - What is Human Trafficking?
• National Crime Agency - Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
• Social Sciences LibreTexts - Trafficking in Persons
• U.S. Department of State - Understanding Human Trafficking
• National Center for Biotechnology Information - Human Trafficking
• human trafficking - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
• Table Of Contents

Recent News

human trafficking , form of modern-day slavery involving the illegal transport of individuals by force or deception for the purpose of labour , sexual exploitation , or activities in which others benefit financially. Human trafficking is a global problem affecting people of all ages. It is estimated that approximately 1,000,000 people are trafficked each year globally and that between 20,000 and 50,000 are trafficked into the United States , which is one of the largest destinations for victims of the sex-trafficking trade.

Although human trafficking is recognized as a growing international phenomenon, one with a long history (see the story of St. Josephine Bakhita , the patron saint of Sudan and of victims of human trafficking), a uniform definition has yet to be internationally adopted. The United Nations (UN) divides human trafficking into three categories— sex trafficking , labour trafficking, and the removal of organs —and defines human trafficking as the induction by force, fraud , or coercion of a person to engage in the sex trade, or the harbouring, transportation, or obtaining of a person for labour service or organ removal. Though the United States does not acknowledge the removal of organs in its definition, it does recognize sex and labour trafficking and describes human trafficking as the purposeful transportation of an individual for exploitation.

Human traffickers often create transnational routes for transporting migrants who are driven by unfavourable living conditions to seek the services of a smuggler. Human trafficking usually starts in origin countries—namely, Southeast Asia , eastern Europe , and sub-Saharan Africa —where recruiters seek migrants through various mediums such as the Internet , employment agencies, the media, and local contacts. Middlemen who recruit from within the origin country commonly share the cultural background of those migrating. Migrants view the services of a smuggler as an opportunity to move from impoverished conditions in their home countries to more stable, developed environments .

Because such circumstances make it difficult for victims to obtain legitimate travel documents, smugglers supply migrants with fraudulent passports or visas and advise them to avoid detection by border-control agents. Transporters, in turn, sustain the migration process through various modes of transportation: land, air, and sea. Although victims often leave their destination country voluntarily, the majority are unaware that they are being recruited for a trafficking scheme. Some may be kidnapped or coerced, but many are bribed by false job opportunities, passports, or visas. Transporters involved in trafficking victims from the origin country are compensated only after they have taken migrants to the responsible party in the destination country. Immigration documents, whether legitimate or fraudulent, are seized by the traffickers. After this, victims are often subjected to physical and sexual abuse , and many are forced into labour or the sex trade in order to pay off their migratory debts.

The cause of human trafficking stems from adverse circumstances in origin countries, including religious persecution, political dissension, lack of employment opportunities, poverty , wars , and natural disasters. Another causal factor is globalization , which has catapulted developing countries into the world’s market, increasing the standard of living and contributing to the overall growth of the global economy. Unfortunately, globalization is a double-edged sword in that it has shaped the world’s market for the transportation of illegal migrants, affording criminal organizations the ability to expand their networks and create transnational routes that facilitate the transporting of migrants. The U.S. Department of State adds that the HIV/AIDS epidemic has generated a large number of orphans and child-headed households, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, a situation that creates fertile soil for trafficking and servitude.

The most prevalent form of human trafficking that results in servitude is the recruitment and transport of people into the international sex industry. Sex slavery involves males and females, both adults and children, and constitutes an estimated 58 percent of all trafficking activities. It consists of different types of servitude, including forced prostitution , pornography , child sex rings, and sex-related occupations such as nude dancing and modeling. Forced prostitution is a very old form of enslavement, and recruitment into this lifestyle is often a booming business for purveyors of the sex trade. Victims of sexual slavery are often manipulated into believing that they are being relocated to work in legitimate forms of employment. Those who enter the sex industry as prostitutes are exposed to inhumane and potentially fatal conditions, especially with the prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Additionally, some countries, including India , Nepal , and Ghana , have a form of human trafficking known as ritual (religion-based) slavery, in which young girls are provided as sexual slaves to atone for the sins of family members.

Forced labour has likely been around since shortly after the dawn of humankind, though there are a number of different forms of modern involuntary servitude that can go easily unnoticed by the general public. Debt bondage (also called peonage ), is the enslavement of people for unpaid debts and is one of the most common forms of contemporary forced labour. Similarly, contract slavery uses false or deceptive contracts to justify or explain forced slavery. In the United States the majority of nonsex labourers are forced into domestic service, followed by agriculture, sweatshops , and restaurant and hotel work.

Children are often sold or sent to areas with the promise of a better life but instead encounter various forms of exploitation. Domestic servitude places “extra children” (children from excessively large families) into domestic service, often for extended periods of time. Other trafficked children are often forced to work in small-scale cottage industries, manufacturing operations, and the entertainment and sex industry. They are frequently required to work for excessive periods of time, under extremely hazardous working conditions, and for little or no wages . Sometimes they become “street children” and are used for prostitution, theft , begging, or the drug trade. Children are also sometimes trafficked into military service as soldiers and experience armed combat at very young ages.

Another recent and highly controversial occurrence involving human trafficking is the abduction or deception that results in the involuntary removal of bodily organs for transplant . For years there have been reports from China that human organs were harvested from executed prisoners without the consent of family members and sold to transplant recipients in various countries. There have also been reported incidents of the removal and transport of organs by medical and hospital employees. In addition, there have been claims that impoverished people sell organs such as kidneys for cash or collateral . Although there have been some allegations of trafficking of human fetuses for use in the cosmetics and drug industry, these reports have not been substantiated . In recent years the Internet has been used as a medium for the donors and recipients of organ trafficking, whether legal or not.

Although the practice of trafficking humans is not new, concerted efforts specifically to curtail human trafficking did not emerge until the mid-1990s, when public awareness of the issue also emerged. The first step to eradicating this problem was to convince multiple stakeholders that human trafficking was a problem warranting government intervention. As antitrafficking rhetoric gained momentum, efforts to address human trafficking crossed ideological and political lines. Recognizing the inadequacy of then-existing laws, the U.S. Congress passed the first comprehensive federal legislation specifically addressing human trafficking, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA). The primary goal of the TVPA is to provide protection and assistance to trafficking victims, to encourage international response, and to provide assistance to foreign countries in drafting antitrafficking programs and legislation. The TVPA seeks to successfully combat human trafficking by employing a three-pronged strategy: prosecution, protection, and prevention. Many federal agencies are given the oversight of human trafficking, including the Departments of Justice , Homeland Security , Health and Human Services , and Labor and the U.S. Agency for International Development. The primary U.S. agency charged with monitoring human trafficking is the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (also called the trafficking office).

In addition to the U.S., many governmental entities throughout the world are actively engaged in the attempt to stop or at least slow the activity of trafficking in humans. In 2000 the UN established the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children , which provided a commonly accepted working definition of human trafficking and called upon countries to promulgate laws to combat the practice, to assist victims, and to promote coordination and cooperation between countries.

The Office of Drugs and Crime is the UN arm that monitors and implements policies concerning human trafficking and is the designer of the Global Program Against Trafficking in Human Beings (GPAT). Another important international agency with responsibility in this area is Interpol , whose aims are to provide assistance to all national criminal justice agencies and to raise awareness of the issue. Other involved global organizations include the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Human trafficking is a highly structured and organized criminal activity. The criminal enterprises need to transport a large number of migrants over a substantial distance, have a well-organized plan to execute the various stages of the crime , and possess a substantial amount of money for such undertakings. Human traffickers have developed a multibillion-dollar industry by exploiting those forced or willing to migrate. For this reason, migrant trafficking is increasingly recognized as a form of organized crime . Trafficking networks may encompass anything from a few loosely associated freelance criminals to large organized criminal groups acting in concert.

Human trafficking is a lucrative criminal activity, touted as the third most profitable business for organized crime, after drugs and the arms trade, at an estimated $32 billion per year. In fact, narcotics trafficking and human trafficking are often intertwined, using the same actors and routes into a country. Migrant trafficking is one of the fastest-growing criminal enterprises. Traffickers resort to other illicit activities to legitimize their proceeds, such as laundering the money obtained not only from trafficking but also from forced labour, sex industries, and the drug trade. To protect their investment, traffickers use terroristic threats as a means of control over their victims and demonstrate power through the threat of deportation, the seizing of travel documentation, or violence against the migrants or their family members remaining in the origin country.

Trafficking is a transnational crime that requires international cooperation, and the United States has taken a lead in promoting intercontinental cooperation. The TVPA provides assistance to foreign governments in facilitating the drafting of antitrafficking laws, the strengthening of investigations, and the prosecuting of offenders. Countries of origin, transit, and destination of trafficking victims are encouraged to adopt minimal antitrafficking standards. These minimal standards consist of prohibiting severe forms of trafficking, prescribing sanctions proportionate to the act, and making a concerted effort to combat organized trafficking.

Foreign governments are to make a sustained effort to cooperate with the international community , assist in the prosecution of traffickers, and protect victims of trafficking. If governments fail to meet the minimum standards or fail to make strides to do so, the United States may cease financial assistance beyond humanitarian and trade-related aid. Furthermore, these countries will face opposition from the United States in obtaining support from financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund . The U.S. Department of State annually reports antitrafficking efforts in the Trafficking in Persons Report on countries considered to have a significant trafficking problem.

Home — Essay Samples — Social Issues — Human Trafficking — Human Trafficking Definition. Its Causes and Impacts

Human Trafficking Definition. Its Causes and Impacts

• Categories: Human Trafficking

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Words: 636 |

Published: Jan 29, 2024

Words: 636 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Definition of human trafficking, causes and factors contributing to human trafficking, impacts of human trafficking, efforts and initiatives to combat human trafficking, challenges and limitations in combating human trafficking, recommendations and solutions.

• International Labour Organization. (2017). Global Estimates of Modern Slavery : Forced Labour and Forced Marriage. https://www.ilo.org/global/publications/books/WCMS_575479/lang-en/index.htm

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Human Trafficking as an Issue of Global Importance Essay

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Introduction

Nasw policy statement, human trafficking in australia, united nations’ position on the issue, personal position on the issue.

The phenomenon of human trafficking is an atrocious violation of basic human rights, yet it remains a notorious part of reality. According to the definition provided by Gupta (2019), human trafficking is a “serious organized crime against humanity” involving the act of selling human beings (Gupta, 2019, p. 30). Currently, the levels of human trafficking reach 50,000 people per year in the U.S., as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2018) reports. Being a threat to global safety and well-being, the phenomenon of human trafficking has to be managed by reconsidering the existing policy statements of organizations responsible for monitoring the levels of human trafficking and preventing the phenomenon from taking place.

A range of organizations dealing with the problem of human rights violations focuses on the phenomenon of human trafficking. In its policy statement, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) indicates that the organization’s main goals include building public awareness about the dire effects of the subject matter and the increasing rates thereof (National Association of Social Workers, 2018). The focus on encouraging people to abandon stereotypes about the victims of human trafficking as promiscuous women and, instead, view them as victims of a crime against humanity is clearly a strength of the report.

The problem of human trafficking has spread across the globe, affecting all states, Australia not being an exception to this sad observation. As the recent reports on the incidents of human trafficking in Australia show, the problem is not as common in the specified state as in other parts of the world, yet the issue remains a serious social concern (Australia Federal Police, 2018). As a result, the Australia Federal Police has issued several statements that outline the necessity to eliminate the phenomenon from the social landscape of Australia or, at the very least, to minimize the threat of exposure to human trafficking for Australian citizens (Australia Federal Police, 2018). Overall, despite a generally safer environment and lower crime rates, Australia has also seen a rise in the rates of human trafficking, which indicates that the problem has to be addressed on a global level.

Currently, the United Nations (UN) has a very strong viewpoint on the subject matter. The position that the UN has adopted in regard to the issue of human trafficking is very rigid. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2018) (UNODC) has issued several statements in which the organization delineates its stance on the problem, focusses on the causes thereof and the methods of eradicating it, and strives to raise awareness about the dire effects that it has on the global society. However, the organization seems to lack control over the problem and the causes thereof, which hampers its management.

Human trafficking as a form of slavery that has entered the present-day society has always seemed abhorrent to me. I am inclined to believe that human trafficking is linked to poverty, low education levels among vulnerable groups, and the lack of social support. Therefore, introducing the specified element into the prevention of human trafficking on a local scale could help in managing the issue.

By shaping the current policies for reducing and eliminating human trafficking toward the focus on values and conditions that condition people to participate in it, one will contribute to addressing the problem. While the UN and similar organizations have devised numerous programs for handling the issue of human trafficking, it still remains a part of the modern criminal environment. Thus, reconsidering the approach toward it by increasing awareness, literacy, and safety levels locally, will affect the problem positively.

Australia Federal Police. (2018). Human trafficking . Web.

Gupta, P. (2019). Transnational human trafficking: An unsolved issue. International Journal of Political Activism and Engagement (IJPAE), 6 (2), 30-41. Web.

National Association of Social Workers. (2018). Social work speaks, 11th edition: NASW policy statement- 2018-2020 (11th ed.). Oxford, UK: NASW Press.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2018). Global report on trafficking in persons 2018 . Web.

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• v.14(11); 2017 Nov

Human trafficking and exploitation: A global health concern

Cathy zimmerman.

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdon

In this collection review, Cathy Zimmerman and colleague introduce the PLOS Medicine Collection on Human Trafficking, Exploitation and Health, laying out the magnitude of the global trafficking problem and offering a public health policy framework to guide responses to trafficking.

Summary points

• Labor migration is an economic and social mobility strategy that benefits millions of people around the world, yet human trafficking and the exploitation of low-wage workers is pervasive.
• The negative health consequences of human trafficking—and labor exploitation more generally—are sufficiently prevalent and damaging that they comprise a public health problem of global magnitude.
• Human trafficking and labor exploitation are substantial health determinants that need to be treated as preventable, drawing on public health intervention approaches that target the underlying drivers of exploitation before the harm occurs.
• Exploitative practices are commonly sustained by business models that rely on disposable labor, labyrinthine supply chains, and usurious labor intermediaries alongside weakening labor governance and protections, and underpinned by deepening social and economic divisions.
• Initiatives to address human trafficking require targeted actions to prevent the drivers of exploitation across each stage of the labor migration cycle to stop the types of harm that can lead to generational cycles of disability and disenfranchisement.

Introduction

While migration within and across national borders has been an economic and social mobility strategy that has benefited millions of people around the world, there is growing recognition that labor exploitation of migrant workers has become a problem of global proportions. Human trafficking and other forms of extreme exploitation, including forced labor and forced marriage, now collectively under the terminological umbrella “modern slavery,” are reported to affect an estimated 40.3 million people globally, with 29.4 million considered to be in situations of forced labor [ 1 ]. PLOS is launching a collection of essays and research articles on “Human Trafficking, Exploitation and Health” to increase awareness of the problem and to urge health and nonhealth professionals alike to engage in international and local responses to protect the health of individuals and populations affected by trafficking.

Human trafficking is a multidimensional human rights violation that centers on the act of exploitation. The United Nations defines trafficking in persons as “the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation” [ 2 ]. The elements of coercion, exploitation, and harm link human trafficking with other forms of modern slavery, forced labor and forced marriage.

In this introduction to the Collection on Human Trafficking, Exploitation and Health, we describe the magnitude of the problem, discuss the complex characteristics of trafficking, indicate the harm and associated health burden of trafficking, and offer a public health policy framework to guide robust responses to trafficking. Ultimately, however, in this introductory paper, we assert that human trafficking is a global health concern. That is, the health consequences of human trafficking are so widespread and severe that it should be addressed as a public health problem of global magnitude. Furthermore, because human trafficking has pervasive global health implications, we propose that these abuses—and perhaps labor exploitation more generally—be treated as preventable.

The dimensions of human trafficking and global health implications

Early discussions about trafficking in persons focused almost solely on sex trafficking of women and girls and drew primarily on law enforcement responses. But human trafficking is now understood more broadly to occur in a wide array of low- or no-wage hazardous labor. In fact, the contemporary amalgam of mobility and low-wage labor fosters many opportunities for labor exploitation. Men, women, and children are trafficked for various purposes, including domestic servitude, agricultural and plantation work, commercial fishing, textiles, factory labor, construction, mining, and forced sex work as well as bride trafficking and petty crime [ 3 – 5 ]. These types of abusive work situations are especially viable in low- and middle-income countries [ 6 ] where low-cost labor is in high demand and where informal and precarious employment proliferates and labor governance is weak [ 7 , 8 ]. A substantial proportion of human trafficking occurs within the same country, although international trafficking has received greater global attention [ 6 ].

The exploitation that is at the heart of trafficking comprises different forms of abuse, such as extensive hours, poor pay, extortionate debt, physical confinement, serious occupational hazards, violence, and threats. These forms of abuse occur across a spectrum at varying levels of severity. And, importantly, the impact of exploitation on the health and wellbeing of a person who has been trafficked depends on the combination of types and severity of the acts she or he suffers ( Fig 1 ).

Harmful in what ways and to whom

There is growing evidence on the wide-ranging health consequences of human trafficking. A systematic review on health and human trafficking found that survivors experienced multiple forms of abuse, numerous sector-specific occupational hazards, and dangerous living conditions [ 9 ] and suffered a range of poor health consequences. Among trafficking surviors in Southeast Asia, nearly half (48%) reported physical or sexual abuse and 22% sustained severe injuries, including lost limbs, and reported symptoms indicative of depression and anxiety disorders [ 10 ]. At the same time, however, there has been limited evidence on the social, financial, and legal harm suffered by trafficked persons—which often have further implications for ill health.

Reports on human trafficking regularly highlight that child workers, minorities, and irregular migrants are at particular risk of more extreme forms of exploitation. Over half of the world’s 215 million young workers are estimated to be in hazardous sectors including forced sex work and forced street begging [ 11 ]. Ethnic minority and highly marginalized populations are known to work in some of the most exploitative and damaging sectors, such as leather tanning, mining, and stone quarry work [ 12 ]. Irregular or illegal migration status can be used to threaten and coerce workers. Poor language skills can prevent migrant workers from understanding and negotiating employment terms and enagaging in job training, and, importantly, it can hinder their understanding of local rights and assistance resources [ 13 , 14 ]. Human trafficking also frequently manifests in highly gendered ways [ 1 ]. For example, women and girls are commonly trafficked for sexual exploitation, forced marriage, and domestic work [ 1 , 4 ], while males appear to be more vulnerable to trafficking into various armed conflicts, and men in Southeast Asia are more likely than women to be recruited for commercial fishing, sometimes referred to as “sea slavery” [ 15 , 16 ]. Government can play a role in restricting migration, such as Nepal’s migration bans affecting younger prospective female migrants [ 17 ], or can promote migration through, for example, the Bangladeshi government’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which subsidizes recruitment fees for females migrating to numerous Gulf States [ 18 ].

The public health burden of human trafficking and labor exploitation

Because of the challenges of conducting surveys on human trafficking, there has been little population-based prevalence data on trafficking-related morbidity and mortality. In fact, globally, there is very little research on the health of low-wage migrant workers in general, especially in low-income countries [ 19 ]. Nonetheless, broader research indicates that labor market inequalities are closely associated with mortality, healthy life expectancy, and injury rates [ 20 , 21 ]. Takala et al. suggest there are 2.3 million work-attributable deaths annually, with the greater share of work-related morbidity and injuries in low-income countries, and highlight the gradual shift of hazardous labor to Asia, in particular [ 22 ]. The economic burden of work-related injury and illness on states is also substantial, with global estimates indicating a worldwide price tag of US$2.8 trillion [ 23 ]. While it is currently not possible to know how extreme forms of exploitation might be represented in such figures, especially in hazardous sectors in low- and middle-income countries, the probability that the health burden is substantial can hardly be discounted.

Prevention: A public health approach

Recent epidemiological shifts away from infectious diseases towards noncommunicable diseases [ 24 ] has led to growing knowledge about the influence of socioeconomic and cultural determinants in mortality and morbidity patterns. This has resulted in increased recognition of the effect of precarious employment, multiple forms of marginalization, and legal and entitlement structures in individual and population health [ 14 ]. Addressing these structural determinants is at the core of effective prevention efforts for many public health problems. Extreme exploitation, like other complex social phenomena, such as violence against women or substance misuse, has multiple and interacting causes and effects [ 25 , 26 ]. Labor exploitation can be seen as a health determinant and preventable social problem and benefit from public health prevention approaches that target the harm before it occurs [ 27 ]. A prevention lens directs us to consider the interaction of multiple factors that protect or put individuals and populations at risk of labor exploitation and to seek potential mechanisms to minimize these risks or enhance protection. It also suggests that we examine how various dimensions of exploitation might contribute to aspects of harm among different populations. Moreover, from this vantage point, we might reflect somewhat provocatively on the striking similarities between the harm sustained by people who are officially identified as “trafficking victims” versus migrant workers in the same sectors [ 19 ].

A public health policy framework to address human trafficking, exploitation, and health

To prevent the exploitation of aspiring labor migrants, evidence is urgently needed on the determinants of exploitation and factors that promote safe migration and decent work. Moreover, theoretical or policy frameworks are required to look specifically at the ways that individual, group, and structural factors (including economic, social, legal, and policy-related aspects) influence exploitation and health along a migration trajectory, which can guide our search for evidence to inform interventions [ 28 – 31 ].

Fig 2 depicts factors associated with labor exploitation across a migration process, dimensions of exploitation, and various dimensions of harm. It is worth noting, however, that while structurally driven social, economic, and gendered power imbalances underpin exploitation more generally, they often manifest differently between different forms of exploitation. For example, there are critical distinctions between various types of labor trafficking and sex trafficking versus conflict-related trafficking. In many low-wage production sectors, for instance, exploitative practices are sustained by business models that rely on labyrinthine supply chains, myriad labor intermediaries, and high demand for inexpensive and disposable labor. It is not coincidental that exploitation of workers has occurred alongside the diminishing power and density of trade unions and shrinking freedom of association and collective bargaining [ 32 ]. These interactions are exacerbated by weak labor governance [ 33 ] that fails to protect workers from production processes frequently fueled by demands for low-cost goods and services—despite international conventions to protect workers [ 34 ]. The framework in Fig 2 depicts a process of complex, cumulative causation of potential harm throughout a migration cycle. It highlights interactions between macrolevel structural factors (e.g., global, national, social, etc., systems and institutions) that influence the persistence of trafficking and harm among individuals in communities (microlevels). And, while not explicit, this conceptualization also acknowledges the role of inequalities such as age, gender, nationality, ethnicity, and class [ 35 ] to each individual’s vulnerability to exploitation [ 36 ].

Labor intermediaries and migrant networks frequently play a key role in recruitment processes. Some labor recruiters may assist with job placement into decent work, while others might facilitate exploitation. Unscrupulous intermediaries are known to use extortion, deception, or coercion to exploit workers or to usher them towards abusive employers [ 37 ]. Notably, people can be recruited into trafficking situations multiple times over a single journey. Labor intermediaries can include a chain of connected or separate, formal or informal, trustworthy or untrustworthy agents. For instance, Nepali workers from rural areas often seek jobs abroad (e.g., domestic work, construction jobs) through a local agent who connects them to more formal manpower agencies in urban centers [ 38 ]. Informal migrant networks or social networks are often thought to confer greater protection from exploitation; however, this is not always the case [ 39 ]. Recent research indicated that Bolivian migrants were exploited by compatriots for textile work in Argentina, whereas the opposite was true among Kyrgyz construction workers who secured decent work in Kazakhstan through their own Kyrgyz networks [ 19 ]. Additionally, as recruitment processes or networks become more established, they can become a regular labor conduit, potentially feeding people into exploitative situations [ 40 ].

Importantly, this framework conceptualizes exploitation as a potentially preventable cause of harm [ 41 ]. This perspective incorporates forms of harm beyond physical, psychological, and occupational health problems and includes social, financial, and legal harm and further suggests that the damage from exploitation can transmit across generations.

The discussion that follows focuses primarily on trafficking of labor migrants and exploitation, but the core features underpinning exploitation, power, control, and abuse, are applicable to other forms of human trafficking (forced sex work, forced marriage, for armed conflict).

Predeparture

Most migrants leave home in search of a better life for themselves and their family, sometimes inspired by income disparities between neighboring migrant and nonmigrant households. The effects of climate change on local production, market-driven land exhaustion, humanitarian crises, and weak social assistance have each contributed in different ways to distress migration [ 42 ]. Local livelihood challenges have pushed millions of individuals away from their homes towards income opportunities that are often difficult to refuse or in which conditions are nonnegotiable—including situations of human trafficking [ 43 ]. To reduce people’s vulnerability to extreme forms of exploitation, the international community has made substantial investments in community-based awareness raising and migration knowledge building [ 44 ]. These efforts are often based on the premise that, if individuals were more informed about migrating for work, they would be less susceptible to being exploited. However, there remains little evidence to demonstrate that human trafficking is caused by information deficits among prospective migrants or about the positive effects of premigration awareness interventions [ 45 ].

People may be at greater risk of entering potentially exploitative arrangements when they are compelled to make urgent migration decisions, such as when confronted by humanitarian crises such as armed conflict, environmental disasters (tsunamis, flooding, earthquake), organized and gang violence (e.g., Northern Triangle of Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador), or personal crises such as family illness or death [ 46 – 48 ]. Household debt can push people to accept extortionate job placement or employment terms and conditions—and, conversely, people may take out loans at difficult repayment rates to fund their migration [ 49 ]. For example, 91% of Bangladeshi migrants reported multiple migration-related debts, including labor brokers’ fees [ 50 ]. Social support and job assistance schemes [ 51 ], where available, can mitigate distress migration but are sometimes perceived as inadequate to overcome financial pressures, long-term poverty, or to secure financial self-sufficiency [ 52 ].

Destination

At the work destination, labor exploitation and related abuses and their converse, ‘decent, safe employment,’ are generally determined by a combination of employment arrangements and work conditions [ 28 , 53 ]. The terms of employment set the parameters for the ways and extent to which a person can be exploited (e.g., low wages, piecework pay, extended hours, penalties for early termination of contract). For instance, among posttrafficking service users in the Mekong, an average work day (7 days per week) for fishermen was 19 hours, was 15 hours for domestic workers, and was 13 for factory workers [ 54 ]. Trafficked individuals are rarely given a contract, and if one is provided, they may not be able to read or change it [ 38 ]. Workers are rarely provided personal protective equipment (PPE) or medical insurance and few workplaces are equipped with health or safety measures, especially in less regulated sectors. Labor inspections are also uncommon, and when they do occur, inspectors are unlikely to check if workers are trafficked [ 55 ].

After being exploited, many trafficked workers are encumbered by physical and/or psychological health problems and debt. Trafficking victims seldom have access to health or social assistance or legal remedies such as financial compensation for work-related injuries or illness, disability-related lost future earnings, or unpaid wages. Debts and other financial obligations, including for medical care, can increase survivors’ vulnerability to further exploitation [ 49 ]. Additionally, returnee migrants who failed to gain the income they and their family expected commonly feel deep disappointment and sometimes stigma, which can lead to poor mental health outcomes and potential risk of retrafficking [ 56 , 57 ]. Moreover, when one family member is disabled, other family members, including children, may be pushed into exploitative situations. This can begin a generational cycle of entry into hazardous labor, such as has been observed among families and children working in palm oil plantations in Indonesia, mica mines in India, or tobacco farms in the United States [ 58 , 59 ].

Because there has been limited theoretical work conducted on labor exploitation and harm, this broad framework is meant to help guide future intervention research and prevention strategies. However, each of the categories and variables proposed must be understood within differing historical and socioeconomic contexts and the reigning political climate that might, for instance, fuel discriminatory public discourse on migrants and migrant workers.

Slavery and its like have existed for millennia; so have social and economic inequalities. Through the declaration of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the international community has promised that efforts will be dedicated to reducing poverty, ensuring healthy lives, and, most encouragingly, promoting decent work. This brings us back to the proposition we posed initially: human trafficking should be considered a global health concern. First, in terms of prevalence, when compared with other well-recognised global health problems such as the approximately 35 million people infected with HIV or the 1 million girls under age 15 who give birth every year [ 60 , 61 ], human trafficking seems to deserve similar attention, with current estimates at approximately 40.3 million people [ 1 ]. Next, when considering harm, findings from studies around the world indicate consistently that most trafficked people experience violence and hazardous, exhausting work, and few emerge without longer-term, sometimes disabling, physical and psychological damage [ 54 ].

To date, there has been very limited engagement by the global health community in the dialogue on or responses to trafficking. Similarly, those working to address “modern slavery” have given little attention to the health impact of trafficking. So, how does one bring these communities together? As the first medical journal collection on human trafficking, exploitation, and health, the PLOS collection offers a good start towards gaining greater attention from the health sector. Providing evidence alongside expert commentary, this collection points to the range of clinical specialties and policy considerations required to address human trafficking as a global health determinant. Similarly, initiatives to tackle modern slavery, forced labor, and human trafficking need to make the links between human trafficking and health by working more closely with the health sector [ 62 ]. For both communities, a public health approach that treats the harm from exploitation as preventable will help foster interventions on the large scale that is needed. We urgently need to know more about the health burden posed by exploitative, low-wage, and hazardous labor, and, most importantly, the associated risk factors, especially in Asia and Africa—locations where some of the most exploitative labor occurs [ 63 ]. This is the type of evidentiary groundwork that was laid to address complex social problems such as intimate partner violence and that is now included in many routine health surveys and the international calculation of the Global Burden of Disease [ 25 , 64 ]. Importantly, to intervene in effective and efficient ways, evidence is also needed on the determinants of human trafficking and on who is most affected and in what ways so that precious funds for intervetions are well targeted. The ecological framework introduced in this paper might serve as a starting point to direct research to investigate key structural, social, and individual drivers of exploitation.

Moreover, a public health approach to prevent human trafficking should simultaneously generate greater attention to its less recognized sibling, labor exploitation. That is, initiatives to address human trafficking will benefit from including actions to prevent exploitation and harm among low-wage laborers, more broadly—in what is often known as 3D work: dirty, dangerous, and demeaning. A dialogue is needed about how much and in what ways low-wage workers are currently exploited and about the ways that work-related hazards might harm individuals, including by disabling parents, who may then be forced to send their children to work—perhaps producing a generational cycle of disability and disenfranchisement.

In an era in which the value of human labor appears to be systematically degraded and political rhetoric further marginalizes already disregarded migrants and disadvantaged workers, now is a propitious moment to launch, in earnest, global health actions to tackle endemic labor exploitation.

Abbreviations

Funding Statement

This work was supported by UKaid from the Department for International Development, grant number PO 5732. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Provenance: Commissioned; part of a Collection; externally peer reviewed

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• Human Trafficking

Essays on Human Trafficking

Human freedom is one of the main values of a modern civilized society, which should be reflected in your human trafficking essay. Ensuring the inviolability of individual freedom is one of the main functions of any state. Human trafficking has become the fastest growing and most lucrative activity for transnational organized crime. An increase in human trafficking is evident in many countries of the world. Research for essays on human trafficking shows that situation is critical in countries such as Nepal, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, India, Gabon, Haiti, Myanmar. Many samples of human trafficking essays feature statistics, which show that around 4 million people are sold, bought, detained, and transported every year around the world against their will. Experts estimate that the annual global profit from human trade is over 10 billion USD. Learn from our human trafficking essay samples to make your essay special.

Introduction According to Cheryl (845), more than 50,000 children and women are trafficked into the United States every year to be sex slaves and Texas which is explained as the Lone Star State is deemed as the profound hub of sexual trafficking. Here, the undertaking of the commercial sex trafficking business...

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Introduction Although America abolished slave trade more than a century ago, it is sad to note that human trafficking remains one of the most common forms of human rights violation in the modern society. According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) human trafficking is the act of a...

Human Trafficking and the Need for Local Action Although America abolished slave trade more than a century ago, it is sad to note that human trafficking remains one of the most common forms of human rights violation in the modern society. According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)...

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According to Cheryl (845), more than 50,000 children and women are trafficked into the United States every year to be sex slaves and Texas which is explained as the Lone Star State is deemed as the profound hub of human trafficking. Here, the undertaking of the commercial human trafficking business...

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The Challenges Faced by Psychologists, Counselors, and Social Workers The expansion in the scale of human trafficking presents challenges to government and law enforcement agencies in curbing this practice. However, psychologists, counselors, and social workers face the challenges of rehabilitating the survivors of this heinous activity. The challenges faced by the...

Introduction Human trafficking has become a great concern for governments as well as law enforcers as they try to eradicate the practice. However, there exist a bigger challenge to the psychologists and social workers who are involved with rehabilitating the affected. One of the biggest issues is the situation of the...

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It is defined as a way of obtaining sexual services or forced labor from an individual using coercion, fraud, or force without the willingness of that person. Ø History of human trafficking Human trafficking is third ranked after sale of arms and drugs. It is the most unappealing crimes and human beings...

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Sex Trafficking: A Form of Modern Slavery Sex trafficking is basically a form of modern slavery through which victims are adducted and illegally recruited for sexual exploitation purposes. Physical force or psychological manipulation like the use of drugs are relied upon to threaten victims into the act. Also, traffickers may use...

Human trafficking has been a global issue affecting women, men, and children. The matter has become prevalent despite the dyer efforts of most countries globally to curb the menace. Many individuals refer to the act as the modern day slavery, where there is prohibited trade of human beings for forced...

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Human trafficking refers to where a person or a group of people controls the others by forcing them into labor, sexual harassment or organ trafficking (Kempadoo et al., 100).   The practice has been on the increase, despite the laws put against owning or forcing other people into activities that they...

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Tackling human trafficking requires multi-pronged efforts that involve legal measures, international cooperation, awareness campaigns, and victim support. This topic explores strategies employed globally and locally, best practices, successes, and the ongoing challenges in ensuring a world free from trafficking. Also at PapersOwl you can find more free essay examples related to Human Rights topic.

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Human trafficking is a problem that affects every country in the world, big or small. This practice has become very popular throughout the world because of labor needs and the want to have sex. People are frequently needed to perform labor and a lot of people struggle to meet their sexual needs and as a result they turn to human trafficking to get their fix. While the majority of people in the world recognize that this is a serious global issue, it’s very difficult to combat because there is no one simple solution to address the problem.

People view human trafficking differently throughout the world, for example most Americans realize it is wrong and should be outlawed however people in other countries consider it to be a normal and acceptable practice. Human trafficking has been very difficult to combat because of a lack of education and values throughout the world, the high levels of poverty found in the world, and the profit that can be made off of this practice.

Educating people throughout the world about human trafficking and why it should be outlawed is one of the most important steps in controlling this problem. Through education, the values of each country can hopefully improve and reduce the impact of human trafficking. The majority of people engaging in human trafficking, both the culprits and victims, are uneducated individuals who hardly understand the seriousness of this practice. Throughout the world, millions of women are systematically discriminated against, denied education and employment, beaten, and treated as male sexual property (Kara 2010). This lack of education prevents people who engage in this practice from realizing that it is not acceptable and should not be considered a norm anywhere in the world. In many places throughout the world, people believe that it is in the nature of males to view females as inferior and therefore not give them the respect they deserve. This belief must change in order for people to take human trafficking serious because if females are not given equal respect, most people won’t realize that these victims are humans with feelings as well. One example of this comes from the textbook when the author discussed a Moldovan fast food advertisement stating that boys will be boys, which portrayed three boys carrying off a young girl. This advertisement shows just how acceptable and normal this is in other parts of the world. Human trafficking has went on for thousands of years and many cultures have found it to be an acceptable practice. For instance, from Moldova to Albania to Nepal to Thailand, rural women were regularly abused by men and local laws against domestic violenceif there were anywere not enforced at all (Kara 2010). These long held values and lack of education have given people the idea that this practice is acceptable when in reality it is not and these individuals should reconsider their beliefs on this issue.

Poverty is a global issue that impacts everyone throughout the world in some way or another. Along with poverty, comes many other underlying problems. One area that poverty has shown to affect is human trafficking. In some of the most poverty stricken areas in the world, human trafficking has become a very serious problem. Many individuals living in poverty see human trafficking as a way of making money whether as a slave or committing crimes to provide and meet their needs. Living in America, we don’t have a great gauge for how serious poverty is throughout the world. For example, In Bihar, there is a murder every two hours, a rape every six hours, and a bank is looted each day (Kara 2010). In an environment like Bihar, there is little to no opportunity to make money so people are forced to turn to criminal activity. Some have argued that America is to blame for the high levels of poverty currently found in the world, economic globalization unleashes catastrophic increases in poverty levels and civil strife, most directly in Central and Eastern Europe and East Asia (Kara 2010). These are now some of the most prevalent areas for human trafficking and living in America we are somewhat naive to what is taking place overseas. Minimizing the effects that poverty has on human trafficking will not be a simple problem to address. The long-term abolition of sex trafficking and all other forms of contemporary slavery will require an elevation in global efforts to eradicate extreme poverty, as well as the reconception of economic globalization.. (Kara 2010). Poverty is a major contributor to human trafficking and one of the leading reasons that it continues to thrive. As long as we have poverty in the world, human trafficking will continue to thrive.

The amount of money flowing through the human trafficking industry is in the billions with no plans of slowing down. This industry has become a major source of revenue for a lot of criminals throughout the world, however some countries also profit off of this practice. While human trafficking is illegal in every country, some countries actually profit from the practice and therefore are less likely to enforce the rules against it. For instance, many victims of human trafficking will send home any money they make to their home country. These remittances have also become crucial to the survival of the governments of developing nations, which tax up to 25 percent of the remittances (Kara 2010). The human trafficking industry is no different from any other for profit business in the world, there is a demand for the service and people are willing to pay, especially when it comes to sex slaves. There could be no sex-slave industry without male demand for commercial sex (Kara 2010). The profits made off of this industry are major and until we are able to reduce the number of people profiting from this practice, it will be hard to eliminate.

Human trafficking is a global issue that affects millions of people’s lives. There have been many efforts made throughout the world to combat this issue, however, we have not seen a lot of success. In order for this issue to be addressed, it will require a lot of time and money and unfortunately not enough people are concerned with this problem to give their time or money. Human trafficking has been very difficult to combat because of a lack of education and values throughout the world, the high levels of poverty found in the world, and the profit that can be made off of this practice.

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“Out of the Shadows”: Reflections on Human Trafficking Education Through a Public Pedagogy Project

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• https://doi.org/10.1080/10511253.2024.2406489

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Human trafficking is globally widespread, however establishing its scope and context remains difficult. With limitations on understanding human trafficking coupled with sensational media portrayals, misperceptions of the problem persist. To that end, a campus wide educational initiative to share survivor stories and offer students a more authentic understanding of human trafficking was developed. An approach driven by the principles of public pedagogy, m-learning, and the use of earned media to support messaging informed project development. Entitled “Out of the Shadows,” the project sought to engage students using unconventional public displays related to human trafficking. In this case, novel presentation of blue figures across the campus space invited curiosity, drove media interest, and encouraged viewers to explore these presentations through integrated m-learning. Project outcomes, limitations, and the viability for this approach for criminal justice education are considered.

• Human trafficking
• public pedagogy

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Notes on contributors, daniela peterka-benton.

Daniela Peterka-Benton is an Associate Professor of Justice Studies at Montclair State University and Academic Coordinator for The Global Center on Human Trafficking. She obtained her doctorate in Sociology, with a specialization in Criminology from the University of Vienna. Her research interests center around transnational crimes such as human trafficking, human smuggling, arms trafficking, and right-wing terrorism and extremism. Dr Peterka-Benton has published numerous articles in academic journals. She regularly speaks on issues related to human trafficking and misinformation in global media outlets. Prior to her focusing on a full-time academic career, Dr Peterka-Benton worked for the US State Department’s Office of Diplomatic Security at the US Embassy in Vienna, Austria.

Bond Benton

Bond Benton is a Professor of Communication at Montclair State University. He obtained his doctorate from the University of Vienna, with his dissertation focusing on the influence of culture on meaning. A particular focus of Dr Benton’s research is the interaction of media, culture, and the dangers posed by misinformation. Dr Benton’s essays and research articles have appeared in numerous journals in conjunction with a focus on public scholarship through presentation in the popular press. Dr Benton also works with the Global Center on Human Trafficking at Montclair State University.

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