Holiday increase in Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is a pervasive problem that targets people of all races and ages. This exploitation can take many forms and takes advantage increased financial stress and isolation around the holidays.
Human trafficking is a serious and pervasive problem that affects people all around the world, and unfortunately, it often increases during the holiday season. Its important to first understand that all forms of exploitation must be addressed. Human trafficking is only one of the many ways that the vulnerable are exploited for the benefit of others. According to the United Nations, human trafficking is "the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring 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." This can include sex trafficking, labor trafficking, and other forms of exploitation.
Why does human trafficking increase around the holidays?
There are a number of reasons why human trafficking tends to increase during the holiday season. One reason is that there is often an increased demand for cheap labor and sexual services during this time of year. Additionally, the busy and hectic nature of the holiday season can create opportunities for traffickers to exploit people who are vulnerable or in difficult circumstances. For example, someone who is struggling financially may be more likely to accept a job offer from a trafficker without realizing the risks involved.
As television promotes the ideal vision of happy families with support and nurturing. This can highlight the lack of support and family that some individuals experience more keenly in this season. Traffickers are experts at becoming that thing that people need the most. If they lack finances they become the money. If they lack physical and emotional support, then at first they become that source for a victim as they are groomed.
How to recognize human trafficking:
Some signs that someone may be a victim of trafficking include:
Lack of control over their own lives or movements
Signs of physical abuse or neglect
Working long hours for little or no pay
Living and working in inhumane or unsafe conditions
If you suspect that someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, you should report it to the authorities or a trusted organization that can help.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
1 (888) 373-7888
SMS: 233733 (Text "HELP" or "INFO")
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Languages: English, Spanish and 200 more languages
Website: http://humantraffickinghotline.org
How to support survivors of human trafficking:
There are many ways of getting involved in the fight against human trafficking. This can include donating to organizations that provide services to survivors, volunteering time or skills, and spreading awareness about the issue. It's also important to recognize that survivors of trafficking may need ongoing support and assistance as they rebuild their lives, and to be respectful of their privacy and autonomy.
Overall, human trafficking is a complex and devastating issue that requires a multi-faceted response. By raising awareness about the issue and providing information about how to prevent and support survivors of trafficking, we can work towards a world where everyone is free from exploitation and abuse.
We can do our part with your help! Please visit our donation page and help us continue the work that we are doing to bring mental health resources and awareness to those in need.