Types of human trafficking Human trafficking includes multiple forms of exploitation such as sex, labor, and organ trafficking (note that organ trafficking will not be specifically addressed in this course). Victims may be forced, coerced, or defrauded into prostitution, domestic servitude, or other types of forced labor (e.g., agriculture, construction, fisheries, mining industries). Victims can be found in legitimate and illegitimate labor industries, including sweatshops, massage parlors, agriculture, restaurants, hotels, street peddling, door to door sales, begging, and domestic service (DOJ, 2014). Inaccurate and misleading information propagated through social media and various Internet news sites has sensationalized the domestic minor sex trafficking domain of human trafficking while minimizing and simplifying other domains of human trafficking. This creates a dangerous situation that detracts vital energy and resources from efforts that seek to combat other forms of exploitation and may ultimately lead to a rise in different forms of human trafficking (Prakash et al., 2022). Often the difference between sex trafficking and consensual commercial sex (sex work) is misinterpreted or Vulnerability factors Although individuals of any age and any gender may fall victim to human trafficking, it is known that women and girls are the most vulnerable (Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons, 2017). Current data for the state of Texas indicates that in 2020 and 2021, 85% of victims in human trafficking–related cases were female compared to 8% males and 7% unknown (Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force, 2022). The same report indicates that African American was the most vulnerable race/ethnicity with 38.1% of victims, followed by Caucasian (32.3%), Hispanic (18.7%), and Asian/Pacific Islander (2.2%); in 8.4% of cases, the victim’s race/ethnicity was recorded as unknown (Texas Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force, 2022). Vulnerability factors are often regarded as either “push” or “pull” factors (Stoklosa & Beals, 2022). Push factors are circumstances that drive victims from their current living situation into trafficking, for example, abuse, poverty, or family conflict. Pull factors lure a victim into trafficking by providing access to a desired resource such as income, Victim–Trafficker dynamics Research and firsthand accounts from victims of trafficking indicate that traffickers may use a number of tactics designed to isolate, control, and intimidate/threaten victims such as: ● Physical/sexual/emotional violence. ● Threats or intimidation of victims and/or victims’ family members. ● Withholding basic necessities (food, water, clothing, shelter). ● Social isolation or limiting contact with family members, friends, and outsiders; making sure any contact is monitored. ● Economic coercion (weaponized/predatory debt through enormous financial obligations, controlling or withholding victim’s money). ● Confiscation or control of passports/identification documents.
misrepresented. Sex trafficking occurs when an adult takes part in the sale of sex through threat, abduction, or other means of coercion, whereas sex work involves the willing and consensual exchange of money for sex and does not infringe on the participants' human rights (Baldwin et al., 2011). Note that children cannot technically be sex workers because they cannot legally consent to commercial sex. In instances of sex trafficking, victims perform commercial sex through the use of coercion, force, or fraud. It more commonly affects women but frequently involves children of both sexes (Inter- Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons 2017). Victims of forced labor trafficking are often found in industries that require a large number of workers yet have little regulation or oversight, including agriculture, restaurants/food services, bars/clubs, domestic work, factories, and the hospitality industry (hotels/motels). Forced labor affects both adults and minors (under the age of 18), and migrant populations are considered to be the most vulnerable to this form of trafficking. housing, or recreational substances (Stoklosa & Beals, 2022). Much of the current body of research and literature indicates that vulnerability factors for human trafficking include: ● Children in the welfare/juvenile justice systems (especially children ages 12–14 years). ● Unhoused youth. ● Migrant laborers/foreign national domestic workers. ● Patient with limited English abilities. ● Patients with disabilities. ● Patients with limited education. ● Patients using substances/suffering from substance use disorders. ● Individuals of color. ● Indigenous individuals. ● Individuals with a history of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual). ● Individuals who have experienced the death of a parent, guardian, or caretaker that has triggered family instability. ● False claims of imprisonment or deportation if victims contact authorities/law enforcement. Self-Assessment Question 1 Which of the following is not an example of human trafficking (either labor or sex trafficking)? a. Migrant/undocumented workers coerced into working as farmhands after being transported into the U.S. b. A consenting adult (>18 years of age) engaging in sexual acts in exchange for money. c. Massage therapists at an unregistered massage parlor compelled to engage in sexual acts under threat of legal action being taken against them if they refuse. d. Hospitality/housekeeping service workers made to work for little to no pay due to threats made against members of their family.
THE HEALTH IMPACT OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
The impact of human trafficking on its victims’ quality of life is devastating (Stoklosa et al., 2022; Richie-Zavalet et al., 2021). Victims frequently suffer physical abuse that
results in traumatic injuries and chronic pain; suffer sexual abuse that increases their risk/occurrences of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancies, and abortion-
Page 3
Book Code: MTX1325
EliteLearning.com/ Massage-Therapy
Powered by FlippingBook