For the Children

INSTITUTE

ADVOCACY

The Horrors of Human Trafficking

Part 3 of 3

OKLAHOMA CITY – Over the past two weeks, I have shared some critical information on the horrors human trafficking. This conversation, brought to the forefront by the recent movie The Sound of Freedom, has sparked many people to look for ways to support victims and help with prevention.

From the United States Department of State, we know traffickers in the U.S. often prey upon children in the foster care system. Recent reports have consistently indicated that many victims of child sex trafficking were at one time in the foster care system and have ether aged out or fled from the system.

People may also be vulnerable to human trafficking if they:

• Have an unstable living situation; have previously experienced other forms of violence (such as sexual abuse or domestic violence).

• Are undocumented immigrants.

• Are experiencing poverty or unmet economic needs.

• Are addicted to drugs or alcohol.

• Or have a caregiver/ family member who has a substance abuse issue.

Traffickers who exploit people for forced labor do not discriminate. Unfortunately, neither do employers the plane wouldn’t hit its target of the White House.

The attacks on 9/11 killed 2,977 people from 93 nations: 2,753 people were killed in New York; 184 people were killed who use these victims for labor. Victims can be any age, race, religious affiliation, gender identity, or nationality.

They may also come from any socioeconomic group.

While forced labor is an international crisis, it also does occur in the United States. Despite our nation’s system of law under the Constitution which explicitly bans forced labor, the practice exists and persists even today.

Victims of forced labor in the United States can be citizens, or they can originate from any region of the world, re-

There is an unwinding of our democracy because no one can see eye to eye anymore and there only seems to be hatred spewed against one another on a daily basis.

bor or Forced Labor comprised 155 goods from 77 countries.

Gold, bricks and sugarcane were the goods most listed as being products of forced labor, while bricks, cotton and garments were those most listed as being produced by child labor.

Despite the misconception that most forced labor victims in our country are here illegally, a study by the National Institute of Justice found that 71% of those experiencing forced labor in the United States entered the country on lawful H-2A and H-2B

cause it only breeds misunderstandings and more hostility between us. When people have no opportunity to settle their disagreements by discussion, they are apt to resort to fighting or violence. Intolerance definitely plays a leading role in fostering civic disorders and cerns, please call (405) 521-3921.

If you think someone’s life or safety is in immediate danger, call 911.

If you suspect someone is the victim of human trafficking, then please contact the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Human Traffick-