According to the Department of Homeland security, Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to abduct or extort human beings to obtain some type of forced labour or commercial sexual acts against the will of the particular individual. Globally, a massive amount of $150 billion is generated through human trafficking. Thus, it has assumed a form of big illegal business to generate profits. Human trafficking is present in each and every state of the globe. Even In the US, there were more than 10,000 reported cases of human trafficking in 2020 alone.
According to the national human trafficking hotline, 72% of reported human trafficking cases were related to sex trafficking. Infusing mental and psychological issues among victims, the exploitation entails the worst implications specifically for those who are affected and generally to society and the state.
This heinous crime, without any shame and under the very eyes of the global community, is being perpetrated against humanity in this globalized and advanced world. There is no denying the fact that human trafficking is taking a heavy toll on human life, health and safety. People who have lived and those who are living under this slavery are being exploited for years and despite taking initiatives by state governments worldwide, the racketeering could not be mitigated. The US Department of State estimates that there are 24.9 million trafficking victims worldwide at any given time and Commercial sexual activities generate 99b$ in illegal activities globally.
Some of the major hotel supply chains are involved in accelerating and sometimes conducting this heinous offence against humanity. People who are from marginalised groups have often become the victims of this transgression which pushes them to systematic marginalisation. While members from the LGBTQ community, runaway people, homeless youth, members of indigenous communities, and the discriminated communities of a particular state are supposed to be the victims of trafficking. Underage children are more prone to be caught in this net of trafficking. For instance, In the USA,1 out of 3 sex trafficking reported last year involved victims under the age of 18.
It might be surprising for you that social media channels and digital space are widely used by traffickers to search, chase and then trap those who are unable to escape from their clutches. Ironically, the victims intentionally, due to their immature mental stage, become the cat’s paw and the chessman, very cunningly catching people, does his activity.
Meanwhile, the onslaught of the Pandemic added fuel to fire. During COVID-19, contactless checking has exacerbated the trend of trafficking in hotels. People for forced labour are first of all tracked through multiple digital channels and after that the process of luring and abduction continues until they are sold and exploited by traffickers. The process of Recruitment through digital channels is being widely used worldwide where various strategies, such as fake job opportunities, love affairs, and friendships, are employed to lure people. Traffickers consider you as a product and you might be sold day in and day out for Prostitution and forced labour.
There are a plethora of Online slave markets where domestic workers are sold. The slave markets are equally present in the gulf, African, Asian and European states. In the gulf states, there are many loopholes in their constitution that allow traffickers to proliferate. For instance, the system of employment used across the gulf states known as Cafella where a domestic worker's visa is tied to his/her sponsor. Under this system, domestic workers cannot quit their job without their employer's permission. Sometimes employers take advantage of and use this system to fuel slavery in the form of trafficking. Apps such as haraj, 4sale and Instagram have been widely used in Gulf states where domestic workers were sold. This system enables employers to sell the sponsorship of their workers. In this way, an Unregulated black market where illicit activities are a regular occurrence is being thrived, no matter the worst repercussions it entails on the health and independence of individuals.
Human trafficking in the 21st century, notwithstanding its illegal position in the statute of states, is, without any doubt, a harsh reality and ruining the lives of millions across the globe. In many parts of the world, trafficking is transpired under the impunity of the state and profits are shared without any shame. Those who have been the victims of this deranged crime face psychological and health diseases for their entire life.
In this globalised world, human traffickers are more active in conflict zones and war-ridden areas, where poor individuals and homeless children are more easily accessible to fall prey to. Thus traffickers lure and recruit individuals for human trafficking. On the other hand, refugees and illegal immigrants, people having disabilities and mentally ill individuals and those who are unable to comprehend the cunning tactics of traffickers such as immature and underage girls who fall under the so-called ‘love trap’ of traffickers, are more prone to be trafficked for forced labour and commercial sexual activities.
Therefore, every individual should be active and clever enough to escape such traps and actively respond to security forces so that timely action can be taken to bring perpetrators to justice. Human trafficking is the worst of all crimes that’s why there is an urgent need to tackle this offence so that millions can be saved.