The UCHRC invited the International Institute of New Jersey to our September 2005 meeting to educate us in the area of human trafficking, wherein immigrants are brought into the United States and are held against their will. Commissioners were glad to learn more about this practice, which is of grave concern to the Commission, is being reported on an almost regular basis by the print and broadcast media within Union County and surrounding areas. The Commission is now seeking to identify resources and avenues to help to make inroads to deal with this criminal activity. We also perceive we can play a role as educators, and will explore this possibility through the InterFaith Community network. The Commissioners agreed that the UCHRC could certainly encourage people to keep their eyes open and report anything suspicious or problematic, rather than simply ignore it and walk away, but that this situation is as difficult for, as with bullying, these individuals must take the first step.
The Commission continues to explore ways in which we could address this problem constructively. In the meantime, several Commissioners continue to personally involve and educate themselves, and have attended various conferences held on the state and local levels, including an afternoon training session hosted by the New Jersey State Bias Officers Association in conjunction with the FBI in January 2006, entitled Human Trafficking: National and Local problems, presented by a representative of the FBI’s Washington, D.C. Human Trafficking Unit. |
What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons, is a modern-day form of slavery, and is considered one of the most urgent human rights issues in the world today.
Victims of human trafficking have been forced into servitude and blend in with the community as they toil for low wages as nannies, housekeepers, servants, cooks, laborers and sweatshop, construction or agricultural workers, or in the sex industry.
Victims of trafficking often come from vulnerable populations, including migrants, oppressed or marginalized groups, runaways or displaced persons, and the poor.
Victims often are undocumented immigrants threatened with deportation or physical violence by their captors. Sometimes the victims are children who are held against their will.
It is the third largest and fastest growing criminal industry in the world, victimizing millions of people and reaping billions in profits.
The U.S. State Department estimates that currently there are 14,500 to 17,500 victims in this country.
Traffickers use a variety of techniques to control their victims. A hallmark of the criminal industry is the sophisticated use of psychological and financial control mechanisms, often minimizing or precluding the need for physical violence or confinement.
Trafficking occurs in almost every country in the world, though some countries are primarily sites of origin, transit, destination, and/or internal trafficking.
Sources:
www.human trafficking.com
www.chicagotribune.com |
