8th Grade Geography – Mrs. Van Heck

Human Trafficking – A Global Problem

The modern form of slavery is a heinous violation of human rights.

What do you think human trafficking is? What do you know about human trafficking?

Countries with the Most Human Trafficking

OThailand, Malaysia, Columbia, Cyprus, Qatar and Venezuela, Russia, China, and Nigeria. Countries in red are highest.

War and Natural DisasterIt is an ongoing nightmare for vulnerable

population groups, particularly women and children left behind in poor areas following

war conflicts and natural disasters.

False PromisesO By offering potential victims false

promises, traffickers paint a rosy picture of a better life, such as a good job, educational opportunity or marriage. If a potential victim falls for the false promises, the trafficker transports the person to another place or country for exploitation. The person becomes a victim of human trafficking.

Signs of human trafficking victims:

O Signs of human trafficking victims:O Bruises in various stages of healing

caused by physical abuse; O Scars, mutilations, or infections due

to improper medical care;

Human Trafficking in the U.S.

O The average age a teen enters the sex trade in the U.S. is 12 to 14-year-old. Many victims are runaway girls who were sexually abused as children.

O California harbors 3 of the FBI’s 13 highest child sex trafficking areas on the nation: Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego.

Police InvolvementO The trafficking phenomenon is now

being rationally managed by organized crime networks. In the past, there was cruel abuse of victims channeled to prostitution and forced labor, but now their working rights and decent living conditions are being defended.

StatisticsO According to the Polaris Project, as

many as 27 million people worldwide are currently victims—1 million of which are sexually exploited children. Perpetrators have discovered that human trafficking is big business, generating up to $32 billion a year in profits.

Human Trafficking in Las Vegas

The recent raids at several brothels are shedding light on a

serious problem. Authorities say Las Vegas is one of the worst cities in the

world for sex trafficking and they promise these raids won't be the last

Why do they not run away?Victims of trafficking do not run away because they

are controlled by their traffickers. For example through debt bondage, a victim is told that he or she owes the trafficker money used for transportation, accommodation, food or the like. The ‘debt’ never decreases and the victim remains trapped by the trafficker. Other forms of control include taking and keeping a victim’s identity or travel documents, use of threats to harm the victim’s family, locking up the victim, and forced drug use. The victim is completely controlled and often too afraid to try to escape. • Fear• Intimidation

Write 3 paragraphsO What have you learned about human

trafficking that you did not already know?O What would you do to stop human trafficking

in Thailand, Russia, or China? How would you get funding for your project to stop human trafficking?

O What would you do to prevent human trafficking and prostitution of children 12-14 in the United States?

O How would you respond if you met someone who was a victim of human trafficking?