HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

Preface

Thepurposeofthisreportisnottoshamethereaderintobelievingtheconcepts,
ideas,beliefs,orideologywhichwillinevitablysurfaceattimesinthispaperonhuman
traffickingandprostitution.Rather,itistoeducatethereaderaboutaglobalissuethatis
notonlyaffectingsmalltownsandcities,butcountriesandtheireconomieswhichinturn
affectstheworldatlarge.HumantraffickingisdefinedbytheUnitedNationsOfficeon
DrugsandCrime(UNODC)astheacquisitionofpeoplebyimpropermeanssuchas
force,fraudordeception,withtheaimofexploitingthem.Theformofexploitationis
mostcommonlythatofsexualslaveryandcommercialsexorprostitution.Prostitutionis
definedasanoccupationofengaginginsexualactivitywithsomeoneforpayment,
accordingtotheMerriamWebsterdictionary.Inthispaper,humantraffickingandits
relationsandassociationstosexualslaveryandprostitutionwillbeinvestigatedand
discussed.

Humantraffickingisthethirdlargesttraffickingindustryintheworldwithan
annualintakeof$32billion(CitizensForCommunityValues).Itissurpassedonlyby
thetraffickingofdrugsandweaponsandisthefastestgrowingtypeoforganizedcrimein
theworld.Ofofthemillionsofpeoplewhoaretraffickedglobally,80%areusedfor
sexualpurposes(UnitedNationsonDrugsandCrime).Thesevictimesarestrippedofall
rightstheyaregrosslymistreated,oftenlivinginunsanitaryconfines.Theyarefedvery
littleandforcedtoendureharshconditions.Whentheyhavebeendepositedattheir

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

destinations,thetrulyhorrifyingpartoftheircaptivitybegins.Inmostcasesinvestigated
bynumerouslawenforcementagencies,sexworkersareconsistentlyforcedintotheir
situationandwouldliketogetoutofitbuthavenoothermeansofincome.Withno
otherskillsortradestosupportthemselves,theworkersareforcedintoaseemingly
inescapablecorner.Astherearemanyperspectivesonthisissuedependingoncultural,
societal,andreligiousfactors,differentviewpointswillbefactoredintoeachargument
presentedinthisreport,especiallyinthoseofthecasestudiesonthreecountrieswhich
arecurrentlystrugglingwiththeproblemofsextraffickingandprostitution.

(
http://www.unodc.org
)

(
www.havocscope.com
)

(
www.huffingtonpost.com
)

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

TableofContents

Preface..12
TableofContents
SummaryofResearchMethods...4
Background...56
Expert69
RoleofControl...911
LogicofEvil.....1112
Religion1316
CaseStudies:
India..1720
Columbia..2024
Philippines2427
InternationalOrganization....2729
CanadianConnections..2933
NationalandInternationalSolutions....3341
Appendix..4143
Bibliography.4346

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

SummaryofResearchMethods
Thisreportcontainslargeamountsofdatadrawnfrommanydifferentsources,
mainlyonline.However,acoupleofbookswereusedinthewritingofthisreportsuch
asthe
Bible
and
FreedomNow!TheStoryofCeciliaFloresOebanda
.Websites
frequentedwereNonGovernmentOrganizationandtheUnitedNationswebsitealong
withthewebsitesofUnitedNationsaffiliatedorganizations.Informationwasalsofound
througheducationalvideossuchasdocumentariesandthroughthefounderofGood
NewsIndia,Dr.FaizRahman.

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

Background

Thetraffickingofhumanshasbeenanissueeversinceonemanthoughthimself
superiortoanotherwhetherphysically,economically,orreligiously.Butbecause
worldwidetravelisfasterthaneverbeforeandallowsfortraveltoanyplaceonthe
planet,thesextraffickingindustryhasgrownintoaglobalindustry.Easeoftravelhas
allowedtheindustrytospreadlikearoguecell,itbeginsinaspecificareaandspreads
likeacancerthroughouttheworld.Inordertogainbusinessandincreaseitsprofit,the
industryhastofindnewplacestosellitsproductandsocountryaftercountryhas
succumbedtohumantraffickingandrelatedprostitutionasithasrapidlyspread
throughouttheworld.Anotherfactorthathelpstokeepprostitutionaliveistheaccepting
attitudetowardsit,whichalsoencouragesthetreatingofwomenwithlessrespectthan
theydeserve.Leftunchecked,thisprogressesintotheencouragementandjustificationof
violenceagainstwomen.Theproblemsofsextraffickingandprostitutionhaverisento
thetopofinternationalpoliticalagendasasoflatewhichisamajorstepinsolvingthe
issue,butittakesfarmorethanrecognitiontofixtheproblemactionsneedtobetaken
andinthisregardtherehasbeensomeprogress.Asmoregovernmentsrecognizethat
humantraffickingisaseriousviolationofindividualhumanrights,theyarecreating
stricterpenaltiesthatwillhopefullyhelptoslowtraffickingactivity.Butonecannotjust
relyonharsherlawstostoptheproblem.Governmenteffortstofighttraffickingthrough
prevention,theprotectionofatriskindividuals,andassuringthattraffickersoranyone
involvedintraffickingareputontrialfortheircrimes,arehugestridesinthewalktorid
ourselvesofthisevil.Butthesolutiondoesnotendthereandtheremayneverbeacure.

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

Sofar,therearenosolidwaystocombattheproblemotherthantougherlawsand
specificlawenforcementbranchesthatfocusonhumantraffickingandrelatedcrimes.As
longashumansexist,therewillbehumannatureandhumannaturewillalwayshaveone
individualorgroupfeelingsuperiortoanother.Onlywhenwelearntoacceptour
strengthsandweaknesses,oursimilaritiesandourdifferences,willwebeabletobeginto
bereconciledwitheachotherandmoveforwardtogetherinmutualrespect.

(
http://www.unodc.org
)

Expert

CeciliaFloresOebandaisthefounderanddirectoroftheVisayanForum
Foundation(VF).Thefoundationfightsagainstthetraffickingofhumans,child
prostitution,moderndayslaveryandchildlabour.TheVisayanForumFoundationoffers
manymeansoffightingforandprotectingvictimsorpeoplewhowillbevictimized.
TherearefourmainwaysthattheVFfightsagainstthetraffickingandexploitationof
people:awareness,policyreforms,interception,andeducation/prevention.

Awarenessisbroughttothesituationbytargetingyouthandinparticular,
students.Thisisdonebypartneringwithschoolsalloverthecountry.Focusisputon

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

theyouthastheyarethemostvulnerablebutalsobecausewhenthisgenerationisolder,
theywillhavetheknowledgetoprotectthemselvesandtheirfamiliesagainsttraffickers.

Fortheorganizationsendeavourstobesuccessfulandhavemoreofanimpact,
governmentaidandcooperationisneeded.Ifthegovernmentisinvolvedwiththefightit
willbecomeeasierasthegovernmentcanprovidefundingandresourcesthatwouldbe
unavailableotherwise.TheVFwasactiveininfluencingadomesticworkerslawinthe
Philippinesandbecauseofthis,millionsofslavesarenowlegitimatedomesticworkers
withrightstokeepthemsafefromunjustandinhumantreatment.Theynowhavea
GovernmentHotlinewitha120milliondollarbudgetandanationalstrategicsixyear
plan.Thiscanbeamodelthatwillhopefullycauseothergroupswiththesamegoalsto
followsuit.

ThelargestwaytheVisayanForumFoundationisactiveintheworldofhuman
traffickingisbyinterceptingtraffickersatairports,seaports,andothercommontransit
locations.Themonitoringoftheseplacesiscrucialastheyarewheretraffickersandtheir
victimsaremostvisible.BecausethePhilippinesisanarchipelagoorclusterofislands,
VFoperatesinportsandwithshippingandairlinecompaniestohavethegreatesteffect
ontrafficking.AstheVisayanForumFoundationisnotagovernmentorganizationthey
donothavetheauthoritytomakearrestsdirectly.Instead,theyhaveataskforcewhich
includespolice,coastguard,thedepartmentoflabour,andthedepartmentofjustice.
Therearelongtermsheltersnearseaportsandairportsorwithintheportsthemselves
whicharecalledhalfwayhouses.Thesehousescontainstaffwhoaretheretoprotectand

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

healthosewhohavebeenorwereabouttobetrafficked.Thereistemporaryshelter,
counselling,legalassistance,skillstraining,andreferralforaftercareservices.

(
www.humantra.com
)

(
/www.humantrafficking.org
)

Itisalwaysgoodwhenpeoplearerescuedfrombeingtraffickedintothesex
trade,prostitution,bondedslavery,orotherformsofillegalservitudebutitisfarbetterto
preventitfromhappeninginthefirstplace.Asthesayinggoes,anounceofprevention
isworthapoundofcure.TheVisayanForumFoundationgoesabouttherouteof
preventionbyteachingandspreadingawarenessinpublicschools.Theyhavealsobeen
successfulincreatinganantitraffickingprogramwiththehelpoftheCatholicChurchin
thePhilippinescalledLetsMove.Thisprogram'sfocusistofighttheexploitationof
peopleinthePhilippineswhoarebeingtrafficked.ItcameaboutinresponsetoPope
Franciswhocalledhumantraffickingacrimeagainsthumanity.Thisisjustoneof
manyprogramsthatarecurrentlybeingrunorsupervisedbytheVisayanForum
Foundation.

WhiletheCeciliaFloresOebandaorganizationhasbeenakeyplayerinbringing
attentiontoandfightingagainsthumantrafficking,thereisonlysomuchthatone

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

organizationcando,evenwithbackingfromthegovernment.Thisfactledhertoexpress
thefollowinginaninterviewon
http://www.humantrafficking.org
:

Ordinarycitizenscanhelpinadvocacyandinformationdissemination.
Theycanmobilizelocalcommunitiestopreventtraffickingbysharing
information,lobbyingforthepassageoflocallawsandadoptionof
programsthatpromotesafemigrationandpreventillegalrecruitment.
Theycanalsohelppotentialvictimsbyreportingtoproperauthoritiesand
referringthemtoconcernedagencies.
(
http://www.humantrafficking.org
)

RoleOfControl

Theroleofcontroldescribesandtalksaboutwhowhohascontrolandpowerthat
isexercisedintheissuebythelargestpartyorthepeople/personwhohasthemajorityof
powerandthereforemostcontrol.Itisnotasblackandwhiteasitisdescribedabove.
Thisisnotsosimpleintheissueofsextraffickingandprostitutionasitdiffersallover
theworldonecountrymighthavetheproblemundercontrolwhileinacountrynext
dooritisarampantissue.
Ashumantraffickingisaglobalindustrythethirdlargesttraffickingindustryin

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

10

theworldthereismorethanjustonepositiontoconsider.Thereisahierarchythathas
tobetakenintoconsiderationanditisasfollows,listedfromleastcontrolorpowertothe
mostdominantlevelofcontrol.
Sexworkersorprostitutesareonthebottomofthehierarchy.Theydo,however,
havesomepower,averysmallamount,butpowernonetheless,astheycanchoosetojoin
thebusinessornotwhereasvictimsofhumantraffickinghavenooption.Victimsof
humantraffickingarekidnappedandthereforearestrippedofallrightsandfreedoms
exceptthoseallowedthembytheircaptors.Thesecondtieronthislistarethepimps.As
themajorityofpeoplewhoaretraffickedaretraffickedforthepurposeofcommercialsex
thisisthefittingplacefortheirbossestogo.Thepimpsdohavecontroloverthe
womentheymanagebutnotnearlyasmuchcontrolandpowerasisexercisedoverthe
pimpsbythepoliceandhumantraffickersandcrimelords.Thenextgroupofpeopleon
thispowerpyramidisthepolice.Thepoliceareonthelowerpartofthelistastheyare
theoneswhohelpsolveorslowdowntheproblembutarenotoneofthemajorpartiesat
play.Theydoserveakeyrole,however,astheyaretheoneswhoinvestigateandmake
arrestsforthecrimeofhumantrafficking.Abovethepolicearethehumantraffickers.
Thetraffickersareinsuchanelevatedpositionbecausetheywieldmostofthepower.
Theyareusuallyabletobribepoliceofficersorwholepolicestationsinacommunityin
ordertominimizethechancesofbeingcaught.Theyalsohavepoweroverthepimps
and,byextension,theladiesunderthepimps.Finallyatthetopofthispyramidisthe
partythatwieldsthemostpower.Thisisthebuyers,themselves.Itisfinetohave
producttosellbutifnooneiswillingtobuythenthereisnogoodreasontohavethe

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

11

productavailable.Thebuyersarewhatkeepthesuppliersinbusinesssowithoutthem,
therewouldbenohumantraffickingthereisnosupplyifthereisnodemand.

LogicofEvil
Thelogicofevilistheexplanatoryreasoningastowhyapersoncommitsacrime.
Intheperson'smind,itjustifiestheiractionsnomatterhowsinistertheyareitisexactly
whatthetitlesuggests,thelogicfordoingwrong,nomatterhowderangedthethinking
maybe.
Thereareafewwaystolookatthelogicofevilbehindhumantrafficking.It
existsondifferentlevels.Sometraffickersmayseethemselvesaseconomicvictims
similartothepeopletheyaretransporting.Theycomefrompoorercountriesandare
simplyseizinganopportunitytogetaheadinlifeandliftthemselvesoutofeconomic
disadvantagejustliketheirvictims.Theymayjustifytheiractionsbythinkingthatthey
liveinaglobaleconomywithglobaltradeandtheyaresimplysupplyingaglobal
demand.
Sometraffickersmayfeelthatthetraffickingofhumansandthesextradearean
inevitableexpressionofhumannaturesotheyaremerelybeingapartofsomethingthat

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

12

willalwaysbethereandcannotbestoppedtheymayaswellprofitfromitfor
themselvesandmaybeevensupporttheirownfamilies.
Whilemanytraffickersdoknowbetter,somemayconvincethemselvesthatthe
peopletheytransportwillbegainingabetterlifethantheyhadpreviouslyknownwhich,
insomecases,ispartiallytrue.Thewomenandchildrenwhoaretraffickedareoften
trickedintoallowingthemselvesandtheirchildrentobetransportedinthebeliefthat
theirchildrenwillbelivingabetterlife.Theyarepromisedthingslikeadecentsalary,a
goodworkingenvironment,goodmanagementandotherlifeimprovements.Hereinlies
thelogicofevil.Whileitmaybetruethatvictimsarebroughtintobettersituationsthan
theywereinbefore,theygettoenjoyfewifanyofthebenefits.Theymaybelivingina
betterpartoftheworldbuttheystillendureharshconditions,justnotunderthesame
circumstancesasbefore.Thenewcountrymaybewealthier,politicallystableandhave
morelegalrightsandfreedomsbutthevictimscannotexperiencethesebecausetheyare
physicallyconfinedandkeptindependencyforfoodandaccommodation.Thetrafficker
rationalizesallthisbythinkingthattheydoremovevulnerablewomenandchildrenand
takethemtoasaferenvironmentandthattheremaybeapossibilityofabetterlifeat
somepoint.Theymayconvincethemselvesthattheyaretakingpeopleoutofpoverty
andsituationsthattheywouldneverbeabletoescapefromwithouthelp.However,in
reality,Thevictimsmaybesurroundedbysocial,political,economicandenvironmental
benefitsbutpersonally,theyareworseoffthanbeforebecausetheyareforcedtolivein

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

13

degradationandabuse.Underneaththefaadeoflogic,therealityissimple:trafficking
takesplacetomakethetraffickerandpimpaswealthyaspossible.
(
www.Havoscope.com)

Religion
Therearemanynongovernmentorganizationsaroundtheworldthatareworking
tirelesslytofighthumantraffickingandmanyofthesegroupsarereligiousinnature.
Sincemostifnotallreligionsareagainsthumantraffickingandslavery,thevarious
organizationsthatcomeoutofthemarebasedonreligiousdoctrineandteachingsthat
seektocombattheseevils.Theseteachingsareatthecoreoftheorganization'svery
existence.Itisverycommontohavemultiplereligiousgroupsworkingtosolvethesame
worldissueasmost,ifnotallreligionshavesomeformofmessagefromaGod,a
prophetorsacredtextwhichtellsthem,amongotherthings,tofightfororhelpthosein
need.Thismandatetohelptheneedymotivatesreligionbasedgroupstotrytosolvethe
underlyingproblemsbyprovidingaidinvariousforms.
AsChristianityisthemostwidelypractisedreligionintheworld,therearea
multitudeofChristiangroupsthatarecurrentlyinvolvedinaplethoraofmissions
focusedonthesafetyandwellbeingoftraffickingvictimsandpotentialvictimsaswell
asotherhumanitarianoutreaches.TheChristianfaithbelievesallpeopletobeequaland
ofsupremevalue.Thisprovidesgroundsfortheestablishingofmissionsorganizations
andeffortstohelpcombattheproblemofhumantraffickingandslavery.Therearequite

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

14

afewscripturepassagesthatdealwiththethemeoftheequalityandvalueofhumanlife.
Thoughsomereferencessuchas1Timothy6:1orTitus2:9maybemisconstruedas
condoningslavery,Galatians3:28clearlyexpressesthetruththatinGodseyes,allare
equalandshouldbetreated,fairly.Itreads,ThereisneitherJewnorGreek[a
synecdocheforallnonJewishpeople],thereisneitherbondnorfree,thereisneither
malenorfemale:foryearealloneinChristJesus.

(
geography.about.com
)
(
www.biblegateway.com
)

TheteachingsintheQuran(theMuslimsholybookastheBibleistheholybook
toChristians)whilesometimesjustifyingslavery,alsoteachthatpeopleshouldtreateach
otherwithalevelofprideandrespect.TheQuranspeaksofthisexactthing:
Butletthemwhofindnot[themeansfor]marriageabstain[fromsexual
relations]untilAllahenrichesthemfromHisbounty.Andthosewhoseeka
contract[foreventualemancipation]fromamongwhomyourrighthand
possessthenmakeacontractwiththemifyouknowthereiswithinthem
goodnessandgivethemfromthewealthofAllahwhichHehasgivenyou.
Anddonotcompelyourslavegirlstoprostitution,iftheydesirechastity,to
seek[thereby]thetemporaryinterestsofworldlylife.Andifsomeone

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

15

shouldcompelthem,thenindeed,Allahis[tothem],aftertheir
compulsion,ForgivingandMerciful(24:33).
Whenitsays,whomyourrighthandpossesses,itmeansthosewhoareinservitudeina
houseinotherwords,slavesorservants.Thisversesaysthatthosewhoseekservicein
yourhousemaymakeacontractwithyouifyouconsiderthemfittoserveinyour
household.Italsogoesontosaythatyoushouldnotuseorabuseanywomenwhoare
servantsorslaves,especiallyiftheywanttoremainpureuntilmarriageanditissinfulto
trytoforceorcompelthemintocommittingsexualacts.Inotherwords,theremaybe
peoplebelowyoursocialstandingbutthatdoesnotmeanyoutreatthemwithanyless
respect.Whilehumantraffickingisnotmentionedbynameandprohibitedinthereligion
ofIslam,therearesomethingsthattakeplaceinthetraffickingprocessorintheend
resultthatarecertainlyagainsttheteachingsoftheQuran.
Itisallwellandgoodthatreligionsareagainsttheillegal,unauthorized,and
unethicaltransportationofhumansbutifyouareagainstsomethinginprinciple,you
shouldtakeastandagainstitinactionandthatisexactlywhattheyhavedone.Thereare
hundredsoforganizationsthatarefightingagainsttheillegaltraffickingofhumansor
dealingwithitsharmfuleffectsonthosewhohaveescapedorbeenrescuedfromthat
circumstance.Oneexampleofareligiousgroupthatisfightingthisissueis
8thDay
CenterforJustice.8thDayCenterforJusticeisa
RomanCatholic
,

nonprofit
organization
basedin
Chicago,Illinois
.Itwasfoundedin1974bysixcongregationsof
religiousmenandwomen.Currently,theorganizationisadvocacycenteredandis

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

16

associatedwithover40religiouscommunities,allowingthecongregationstopooltheir

resourcesforthework.The
8thDayCenterforJusticemissionstatementdeclaresthat

thepurposeoftheorganizationistopromote"aworldofrightrelationshipsinwhichall
creationisseenassacredandinterconnected.Insuchaworldallpeopleareequaland
freefromoppression,havearighttoajustdistributionofresources,andtolivein
harmonywiththecosmos.Italsohostsaradioshowcalled"The8thDay"on
WLUW
,
Chicago.Overtheyearssinceitsfounding,8thDayCenterhasalsobeeninvolvedin
issuesof
homelessness
,

humantrafficking
,
nucleardisarmament
,
labourrights
,
inclusive
language
,and
LGBTrights
.8thDayCenterforJusticehasaspecialconsultative
relationshipwiththeEconomicandSocialCouncilofthe
UnitedNations
.InApril2010,
thecenterwasnamedaHumanRightsChampionbytheChicagoReligiousLeadership
NetworkonLatinAmerica.

(www.
sourcemetro.com/8thdaycenter.org
)
(
www.tribstar.com/
)
(www.
esango.un.org)

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

17

CaseStudies
India
IndiaisacountrylocatedinSouthAsia,situatedbytheIndianOceanonthe
south,theArabianSeaonthesouthwest,andtheBayofBengalonthesoutheast.It
sharesborderswithPakistan,China,Nepal,Bhutan,Burma,andBangladesh.Italso
sharesamaritimeborderwithThailandandIndonesia.Itistheseventhlargestcountry
byareaandthesecondmostpopulatedcountryintheworldwithover1.2billionpeople
whichalsomakesIndiathelargestdemocracyintheworld.BecauseofIndiaslarge
population,jobsareveryhardtocomebyoratleastjobsthatwillpaywellenoughto
sustainafamily.Whiletherearejobsthatareofadecentpayingwage,thosejobsare
usuallyonlyattainablebyhavingearnedadegreeordiploma.Thisisfineforfamilies
whocansendtheirkidstoschoolbecausetheyhavethesocialandfinancialadvantages
ofbelongingtoahighercasteorincomebracket,butforpeoplewhoarestuckinthe
circleofpoverty,thereisaslimtonilchancethatadequateeducationwillbepossible.
Becauseofthis,peopleturntoillegaltradesorjobsthataredegradingandbelittlingto
themselves.Thisleavespeoplesusceptibletotraffickersastheypreyuponthosewhoare
needyandcan'tdefendthemselves.AreportfromaleadingNGOstated:Indiahasmore
bondedslaverytodaythantheentireAfricanslavetradecombined.

(
http://www.goodnewsindia.com/
)

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

18

(
https://und.edu/studentlife/womenscenter/
)

AlthoughthetraffickingofhumansisillegalinIndia,itremainsasignificant
problem.Indiaisconsideredahubofhumantrafficking.Thereare2065millionIndian
womenincludingyounggirls,whoaretraffickedwithinthecountryforthepurposeof
sexualexploitation.ThousandsofIndianwomenaretraffickedtotheMiddleEastfor
commercialsexualexploitation.Also,becausemanyIndiansareinsearchofabetterlife
forthemselvesortheirfamilies,thousandsofIndiansmigratetotheMiddleEast,Europe
andtheUnitedStatesforlowpayingorunskilledorillegaljobswhichmakesthem
vulnerabletotraffickers.Despitetheextremelyhighnumberofindividualswhoare
traffickedannually,thegovernmentandotherauthoritieshavenotmadesubstantial
effortstocombatthiscrime.Asaresult,traffickerscontinuewiththeircriminalwork,
goinglargelyunpunished,asgettingoutofjailisasimplematterofwhoyouknowand
howmuchmoneyyouhave.AhostofhumantraffickingringsinIndiahavelocal
governmentsundertheirthumbsenablingthemtoremainlargelyunseenandinthe
background.

(
http://www.state.gov/
)

(
https://und.edu/studentlife/womenscenter/
)

Becausemanyofthelocalandprovincialgovernmentsaredirectlyorindirectly

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

19

influencedbytraffickers,andthegovernmentmakesinadequateeffortstoseekoutthose
whoarebeingtraffickedandexploited,NGOshavesteppedplayanimportantrolein
helpingtosolvetheissue.OnesuchorganizationisGoodNewsIndia.GNI(GoodNews
India)wasfoundedin1998byDr.FaizRahman.GNIhasatotaloftwentyeight
orphanagesorwhatDr.RahmancallsDreamCentres.Aswellasprovidingarefuge
forlepersandpeopleoutcastfromsociety,GoodNewsIndia(GNI)alsoprovidesasafe
havenforyoung,highriskboysandgirlstoescapefromabusiveorunhealthyhome
environmentswhichmakethemvulnerabletosextraffickersandhumantraffickers.
Whatoftenhappensisthatwidowsareleftwithmorechildrenthantheycancarefor
meaningthatsomethingmustbedonetoreducethenumberofchildreninthehome.Or,
childrenwhoareorphanedaresenttolivewithrelativeswhomaynotwantthemorare
financiallyunabletosupportthem.Traffickersarealerttothesesituations.Sometimes
thewidoworguardianswillactuallysellachild(usuallyagirl)totraffickers.Other
times,thetraffickerswillposeasbenefactors,offeringthechildemployment
opportunitiesinanothercityasituationwhichseemsappealingtoadesperateparentor
guardian.Often,traffickerssimplykidnapchildrenandsellthem.
GNIisawareofthecircumstanceswhichputchildrenatriskandseekstoidentify
andinterdictthesechildrenbeforetheyarelosttothetraffickersandtheirreparableharm
orevendeaththatawaitsthem.GNIofferstheparentsorguardiansofhighriskchildren
thealternativeandadvantagesofaDreamCentre.WhatisdifferentabouttheseDream
Centrescomparedtootherorphanagesandorganizationswithsimilargoalsisthatthe
DreamCentrescareforthechildren24/7andsupportthemthroughUniversityor

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

20

vocationalschoolsothattheyhavetheeducationandskillsthatwillenablethemtobreak
freeofthecycleofpovertywhichputthematriskinthefirstplace.Thisapproach,
thoughmoredemanding,hasahigherpossibilityofsuccesscomparedtoother
approachesthatonlyprovideaplaceforvictimstoreceiveamealandmaybeeducation
duringtheday.Attheendoftheday,however,thechildrenoftenreturntodestituteand
abusiveenvironments.GoodNewsIndiafeeds,educatesandhousesapproximately3000
kidsthatwouldotherwisehavebeensoldintothesextrade.While3000mayseemlikea
largenumber,therearehundredsofthousandsstillbeingtrafficked.GNIhopesto
achieveagoalof100DreamCentresspanningnortheastIndiaandtenvocationaland
technicalschoolstoprovidecareertrainingtoyoungpeoplelivingintheDreamCentres.

(
http://www.goodnewsindia.org/
)

Colombia
LocatedinthenorthwestofSouthAmerica,ColombiaisborderedbyPanama,
Venezuela,Brazil,Ecuador,andPeru.ItistheonlySouthAmericancountrywith
coastlinesonboththePacificOceanandtheCaribbeanSea.Itisacountryofmostly
junglewith20%ofthepopulationofEuropeandescentandjungledwellingnative
Indiansmakingupabout1%.Thecountryhashadaviolenthistoryfullofuprisings

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

21

againstthegovernmentandalongfightagainstthelucrativedrugcartelswhohave
becomeanincreasinglydisruptiveforceevenafteralltheeffortsoftheU.S.militaryand
theNationalArmyofColombiatoarrestthemorepowerfulplayersinthecartels.
Thesecartelsarethemainfactorsinthehumantraffickingproblemastheyarethe
biggestplayersanddealersinallthingsillegalthathappeninColombia.Colombiahasa
largeinfluenceinthehumantraffickingbusinessasitisamassivesourceofwomenand
girlswhoaresubjectedtotrafficking,especiallyintoprostitutionnotjustinLatin
America,butinNorthAmericaandasfarasWesternEurope.Around70,000peoplefall
victimtohumantraffickingeveryyearinColombiawhichranksthirdforthenumberof
traffickingvictimsinLatinAmerica(behindtheDominicanRepublicandBrazil).
Becauseofthearmedconflictsthataretearingapartthenation,manypeopleareleft
helplessandmanykidsareleftparentless.Thiscreatesidealpickingsforgangsand
organizedcriminalnetworks.Guerrillasassimilatechildrenintotheirrankswithout
givingthemachoiceotherthandeath.TheColombiangovernmentestimatesthousands
ofchildrenarecurrentlyinthesesituations.Cartelsandorganizedcrimenetworksalso
preyonpeoplewhoareclassifiedasdisplacedpersonswhohavefledtownsorcitiesthat
havebeenravagedanddestroyedbyarmedviolence.Thesedisplacedpeopleareusually
womenandchildren.Theyareforcedintoprostitution,forcedlabour,andarealsomade
toworkinthedrugtrade.Around567,000minorsfromsixto18yearsoldworkin
Colombiaasprostitutesandwhateverelsethecartelsandcrimeorganizationswantthem
todo.Some323,000ofthemworkinthedomesticserviceindustrywhichimposeslong
hoursofworkforlittletonowages,whileputtingthematriskofphysical,sexualand

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

22

mentalabuseaswellasthreatsaimedtowardsthemortheirfamilies.Anexampleofthis
isMariasstory.Mariawascapturedbymembersofatraffickingmafia.InNovemberof
2008,sheandherfamilyexaminedaworkcontractbeforesheacceptedajobasa
domesticservantinthehomeofwealthyColombianslivingintheUnitedStates.Thejob
turnedfrombeingadomesticservanttohouseholdslave.Inthethirtyninedaysshe
workedatthishouse,Mariasweightdroppedfrom58kilos(128pounds)to41kilos(90
pounds).Shewasforced,underaconstant,watchfuleye,tospendhoursonherknees
cleaning,untilshewascollapsingfromexhaustion.Worsestill,shewasnotallowedto
contactherfamilybackhomeinColombia.Eventually,awomenworkingnextdoorasa
domesticnoticedMariasweightdroptoanunhealthylevelandthefrightenedexpression
sheworeonherface.TheladyapproachedMariaandtoldherthatwhatheremployers
weredoingwasillegalandadvisedhertocallthepolice.However,thepolicecouldonly
forcehercaptorstoreturnherpassporttoher.Mariaskidnapperstriedtomanipulateher
withthreatsdirectedatherandherfamily.Now,Mariaislivingundertheprotectionof
theFundacionEsperanza.Hercasewassuccessfullyprosecuted,allowingherandher
familytoliveingreatersafety.
ItisnotjustColombiannationalswhoaretargeted.Manyimmigrantsarealso
preyeduponiftheymuststopinColombiaenroutetowhatevercountrytheyare
emigratingto.Perhapsthemostindecentanddespicablepartofthehumantraffickingin
Colombiaisthesextraffickingthattakesplaceforthepurposeofchildsextourism.
Colombiaisatouristdestinationforforeignchildsextourism,especiallyincoastalcities
whereitisparticularlyrampant.ThisisindirectviolationofnumerousHumanRights

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

23

thathavebeenestablishedbytheUnitedNations.Therightslistedintheappendixare
relatedtoallofthehumantraffickingcasestudiesandnotjustspecificallythisonecase
study.

(
http://gvnet.com
)

TherearethirtyUniversalHumanRightsintotalandonethirdofthemare
brokeneverytimeacaseofhumantraffickingoccurs.TheColombiangovernment's
responsetothisgrowingissuewastocreateLaw985whichprohibitsallformsof
traffickingandalsospecifiesthatthosecaughtintheactoftraffickingarepunishable
bythirteentotwentythreeyearsinprisonaswellasanumberoffines.The
governmenthasrecentlybegunprosecutionoffortyfourcasesfortransnational
traffickingwhichisanincreasefrom2012whenthenumberwaseighteen
prosecutions.In2013,thegovernmentconvictedallthoseinvolvedineleven
transnationalsextraffickingcasesandoneinternalsextraffickingcase.TheProsecutor
GeneralsOfficehasalsoinitiated1,160newinvestigationsrelatedtochildrecruitment
byillegalarmedgroups.
Inthepast,oneofthelargesthindrancesotherthancorruptgovernmentsthat
areinfluencedbythedrugcartels,wasthefactthatsocialworkersandotherpeople
interactingwithpotentialvictimssuchaschildrenincommercialsexualexploitation,
didnotalwaysrefertheircasesforcriminalinvestigationastheybelievedthatkids
betweentheagesoffourteenandeighteenwerelegallyallowedtoengage

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

24

independentlyincommercialsex.Infact,thelawstatesthatanyminor(anyoneunder
theageofeighteen)engaginginprostitutionforthebenefitofathirdparty,isa
traffickingvictim.WhileColombiahasoneoftheworstrecordswhendealingwith
humantrafficking,asofthepastfewyears,ithasbecomeveryadeptatfightingthe
crimetakingplacewithinitsborderswithaninteragencyantitraffickinglaw
enforcementcommitteethatisspecificallytrainedtodealwithvictimsandtraffickers
alike.Harsherpenaltieshavealsobeenenactedforthosecaughtparticipatingintheact
oftraffickingofhumans.

(
http://www.state.gov/
)
(
http://www.un.org/
)
(
http://gvnet.com/humantrafficking/
)

Philippines
ThePhilippinesisanislandcountryinSoutheastAsiainthewesternpartofthe
PacificOcean.TothenorthofthePhilippines,acrosstheLuzonStrait,liesTaiwanand
westacrosstheSouthChinaSealiesVietnam.Withapopulationofabout100million

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

25

people,itistheseventhmostpopulatedcountryinAsiaandthetwelfthmostpopulated
countryintheworld.
Thoughnotasignificantdestinationcountry,thePhilippinesisconsidereda
significantsourcecountryandtransitpointforsextraffickingandprostitution.Itis
commonfortraffickerstopartnerwithorganizedcrimesyndicatesandcorruptpolice
officersorevenwholepolicedetachmentsanduserecruitmentagenciestotraffic
migrants.Traffickersalsoemploylocalsasrecruiterswhoaresenttovillagesandurban
placestorecruitneighbours,friends,andevenfamilymembers.Theserecruitersare
knowntoimpersonategovernmentregisteredemploymentagencyrepresentatives.
Anothermethodthatisusedwithexcellentresultsisleavingpeopleindebtslaveryor
debtbondageandthentraffickingthesevulnerablepeopleforcommercialsexual
exploitation.Acommonrouteusedtotrafficvictimsinandoutofthecountryisfrom
mainlandChinathroughthePhilippinesandthentoathirdworldcountrydestination.As
statedbefore,thePhilippinesisnotamajordestinationcountrybutitdoes,nonetheless,
receivewomenwhowillbeusedorsoldintothesextrade.Theseunfortunatewomen
andgirlsusuallycomefromChina,SouthKorea,Russia,andEasternEurope.
Whiletraffickingfromorthroughthecountryisapressingissue,internal
traffickingisalsoamajorproblem.Thousandsofpeoplearetraffickedthroughtheback
roadsofruralareasandintothelarger,neighbouringurbancentressuchasManilaand
Cebu.Itisaverygenderorientedbusiness.Malesaretraffickedforthepurposeof

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

26

forcedlabouranddebtbondage.Femalesandchildrenaretraffickedfordomesticwork,
workinfactories,forcedbeggingorforcommercialsex.
BecausehumantraffickinginthePhilippinesissowidespreadandinvolvesso
muchmoney,thepolicecannotbetrustedtohandletheissuethemselvesasitisknown
thatmanymembersofthepoliceforcearesusceptibletoacceptingbribesand/orturning
ablindeyetokeepthemselvessafeandoutofdangerfromthelargetrafficking
syndicates.ThisiswhyNGOsplaysuchanimportantroleinthefightagainsthuman
trafficking.OnesuchNGOistheVisayanForumFoundation.Createdandestablished
in1991theVisayanForumFoundation(VF)isanonprofit,nongovernment
organizationwhichisfightingtheexploitationofpeopleandthetraffickingofhuman
beingsinthePhilippines.Theydothisthroughaseriesofefforts.Individually,these
ideasmaynotbeveryeffectivebutVFemploystheminamultifacetedapproach,
mutuallysupportiveapproachwhichachievesgoodresults.Thefirstideaisthatof
protection.TheVFprotectssurvivorsoftraffickingbyspecificallysearchingforvictims
attransitpointsandrescuingthembeforetheyaretransported.Therearelongterm
sheltersandhalfwayhousesthatprovideaspaceforprotectionandhealingaswellas
timetoallowpeopletocomposethemselvesandgettheirlivesbackontrack.TheVF
alsoutilizesnontraditionalpartnerssuchaschurches,schools,andLGUswhichare
usedtoeducateandinformthepopulaceofthePhilippinesaboutthealarmingriseinthis
problem.TheVFalsotriestocreateprogramsthatwilladdressindividualaspectsofthis
moderndayslavery.Whetherdealingwithprostitution,bondedlabour,orwhateverit
maybe,theVFtriestoeducateandinformthepublicoftheproblem,teachthemhowto

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

27

detectit,andhowtorespondtoitappropriately.TheVFalsotriestopreventthecrime
fromhappeninginthefirstplace.Theyseektoimprovesocialconditionsthatcouldbe
seenbytraffickersasvulnerabilitieswhilecounteringtraffickersthroughcommunity
watchprograms.Forlongtermsupport,theVFprovideseconomicaidtoatrisk
families.Thesereducethevulnerabilitiesoffamiliestoopportunistictraffickers.

(
www.visayanforum.org
)

(
www.
gvnet.com/humantrafficking
)

InternationalOrganization

TheAcademyofEducationDevelopmentisanindependent,nonprofit
organizationwhosepurposeistosolvesocialproblemsintheUnitedStatesand
throughouttheworld.TheAEDattemptstoachieveitsgoalsmainlythrougheducation,
research,trainingandothersupportinginitiatives.TheAEDwasawardedtheSouthAsia
RegionalInitiative/EquitySupportProgram,athreeyearprojectfundedbytheUnited
StatesAgencyforInternationalDevelopment(USAID).Theprojectsobjectiveisto
increasethenumberofnongovernmentorganizationsthatareaddressingtheissuesof

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

28

violenceagainstwomen,trafficking,andchildlaborinIndia,Bangladesh,Nepal,Sri
Lanka,withthepossibilityofrelatedprogramsinAfghanistanandPakistan.
InKazakhstanin2000,AED,alongwiththeInternationalOfficeforMigrationin
Almaty,Kazakhstan,heldatwodayregionalworkshopontheissueofhumantrafficking
inthecitiesofAktau,Petropavlovsk,Kokshetau,andShymkent.Itwasquiteasuccess
withover100attendeesrepresentinglocalNGOsandothercivilgroupsparticipatingin
theevent.Theworkshopfocusedonthehostcountrysawarenessoftheissueofhuman
traffickingandplanningeffectivepreventionoftraffickinginKazakhstan.
In2001,AEDwasawardedtheUSAIDfundedBangladeshHumanRights
AdvocacyProject(BHRAP),agrantprogramformoreeffectiveadvocacyofhuman
rightsinBangladesh.ThelongtermgoalofBHRAPistosupportorganizationsin
Bangladeshthatareworkingfortheestablishmentofanationalsocialenvironmentthat
respectsrightsandprotectsvulnerablegroupsfromrightsviolations.Therehavealso
beentwoantitraffickingprogramsdevelopedthroughtheBHRAP.
TheAEDhasbeeninstrumentalinhelpingtheworldcombatthehorrificcrimeof
humantrafficking.Thescopeoftheirworkandinitiativesgoeswellbeyondwhatis
describedabove.Theyarewellpositionedtocontinuefightingtheseissueswherever
theyarise.Itisnottheonlyorganizationdoingthiskindofworkbutitisespecially
notableandonethatshouldcontinuetogrowinreputationandaccomplishments.

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

29

CanadianConnections
Theproblemofhumantraffickingisaworldissue.Itcannotbedismissedas
simplyathirdworldproblemthoughthatisoftenthesourceandhuboftrafficking
activity.Itaffectsvirtuallyeverycountry,whetherthatcountryistheoriginofthe
traffickingvictims,aconduitthroughwhichthevictimspass,ortheirfinaldestination.
Canadaisnoexception.Intheparagraphsfollowing,Canadasshortcomingsindealing
withhumantrafficking,itsbattlesandtriumphsinfightingtheissue,andthefutureof
Canadasstrategiesandeffortstodealwiththeproblemwillbediscussed.
Whiletherehavebeennumerouscasespresentedincourtroomsallaroundthe
country,veryfewtraffickershavebeenconvicted.This,howeverhasrecentlybegunto
change.
Perhapsdue,inpart,toheavycriticism,thegovernmenthasbeguntorealizethe
issuethatisovertakingthecountryandisseekingspecificwaystofighttheproblem.
Lawenforcementagenciesarebeingtrainedhowtospottraffickers,potentialvictims,
andhowtoapproacheachinaneffectivemanner.Asthisissuehasonlyrecentlybecome
aglobalconcern,lawenforcementagencieswerenottrainedorweretrainedminimallyin
humantraffickingissuesandantitraffickingenforcement.Becauseoftheextentofthe
growthofhumantraffickinginthepastfewyears,lawenforcementhashadtoadaptto
thenewreality.Nowthatpoliceforcesandlawenforcementagenciesarecatchingupto
theproblem,itisuptothelegislators,thecourtsandjudgesandjuriestoeffectivelyplay
theirrole.Itisfinetocatchaperpetratorbutifprosecutors,judgesandjuriesdonottruly
understandthecrimeandappreciateallthesocial,economicandhumandamageit

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

30

causes,itwillbedifficultforthemtoaggressivelyandeffectivelyprosecuteandconvict
theperpetrators.Aswell,arrestsaremeaninglesswithouteffectivelawsandcourts
equippedtoenforcethem.Toaddressthisconcern,theConservativegovernmenthas
investedasignificantamountofmoneytocombathumantrafficking.In2011,oneof
StephenHarperscampaignpromiseswastoestablishanationalactionplan.Overthe
nextfouryears,thegovernmentinvestedheavilytofighthumantrafficking.These
effortsareinadditiontowhatprovincialgovernmentshavealreadydoneindesignating
millionsofdollarstotheirstrategicplansforbattlingthiscriminalactivity.TheNational
ActionPlantoCombatHumanTraffickingisthenameofthefouryearfederalplan.
EstablishedbytheGovernmentofCanadaonJune6,2012,itspurposeistooppose
humantraffickingonCanadiansoil.TheNationalActionPlantoCombatHuman
Trafficking,orNAPCHT,hasabudgetof$25million,$500,000ofwhichisusedto
supportvictims.Itisdividedintofourcategoriescalledthe4Ps:partnership,
prevention,prosecution,andprotection.Partnershipreferstothecommunity
organizationsandregular,everydaycitizenswhopartnerwithpolice.Preventionmeans
thepreventionoftraffickingthroughpartnership,andthroughtheeffortsofpoliceand
otherorganizationswhosespecificjobitistointerceptpotentialvictimsbeforetraffickers
comeintocontactwiththem.ThethirdPstandsforprosecutionofthecriminalswho
arecaughtandchargedwiththetraffickingofpeople.ThefourthPrefersto
protectionprotectionofnotonlypeoplewhohavealreadybeenvictimizedbutthosewho
mightbetargeted.Bothneedtobevigilantlysafeguarded.Usingthissystem,therehave
beenquiteafewnotablearrestsandconvictionsmade.Themostrecentarrestsmadein

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

31

OntariodealingwithhumantraffickingweremadeonApril2,2015intheJaneand
WilsonareainToronto.AccordingtoCBCNews,hundredsofpoliceintacticalgearand
carryingautomaticweaponsjumpedoutoftrucksjustafter5a.m.ETThursday,and
enteredthreeseparateapartmentbuildingsonChalkfarmDrive.Anotablecrackdownon
humantraffickinginCanadainrecentyearstargetedtheDomotorKolomparcriminal
organization.TheDomotorKolomparcriminalorganizationwasacrimefamilythatwas
dismantledinthelargesthumantraffickingcaseeverinCanadashistory.Itconsistedof
theRomanifamilywhohadmovedfromHungaryandappliedforrefugeestatus.The
familysettledinHamilton,Ontario,andluredpeoplefromHungarytoHamilton.After
arriving,theywereexploitedforthepurposeofunpaidlabour.Whenlocalpolice
discoveredwhatwasgoingon,theRoyalCanadianMountedPolicebecameinvolvedand
laidapproximatelysixtychargesagainstmembersofthecrimeorganization.Gyula
Domotor,thesecondhighestpersonintheorganization,receivedasevenandahalfyear
sentence,theharshestsentenceeverreceivedforhumantraffickinginCanadauntilthat
point.Theleaderoftheorganization,FerenceDomotor,wasarrestedonOctober9,2010
andchargedwithfraudandhumantrafficking.Nineothermemberspleadedguiltyto
similarchargesand,intotal,seventeenmemberswereconvicted.
WhileCanadahashadaratherlowperformanceinitsfightwithhuman
trafficking,ithasbeguntoimproveandhas,inrecentyears,becomeamoreformidable
forceinitsongoingbattleagainstthecrimeoftraffickinghumans.
(
www.thespec.com
)

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

32

(
www.lfpress.com
)

(
www.thespec.com/
)

(
www.theglobeandmail.com
)

InrecentyearsCanadahasnotonlybecomeatransitcountrybutasourcecountry
andadestinationforsextourism,particularlyinthetraffickingofaboriginalchildren.
TheRCMPestimatesthatbetween800and1,200peoplearetraffickedthroughCanada
eachyearwhilemanyaboriginalwomenandgirlsaretraffickedforthepurposeofsex
tourism.WhilemanysextouristsarefromtheUnitedStates,traffickingvictimscome
fromThailand,Cambodia,Malaysia,Vietnam,SouthKorea,thePhilippines,Russiaand
Ukraine.Althoughthisisquiteafailing,Canadaisactuallyoneofthebestincombating
whatthereportreferstoasasmoderndayslavery.Canadahasmanylawsinplaceto
preventtraffickingfromhappeningandpoliceteamsspecificallytrainedtodealwith
ChildTrafficking.

(www.
gvnet.com
)
(
www.canadiantimes.ca
)

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

33

NationalandInternationalSolutions
National
WhileCanadaisconsideredarolemodelbymanycountriesaroundtheworldand
isawellrespectednation,itisalsoconsideredtobeoneoftheworstfirstworldcountries
inthewayitdealswithhumantrafficking.Canadianlegislatorshavebeencriticizedfor
nothavingamethodicalandorganizedwayoffighting,dealingwith,andpreventing
humantraffickingonCanadiansoil.Reliablestatisticsaredifficulttofindastheindustry
inCanadaisnotwellunderstood,hasnotbeenthoroughlyinvestigatedandoperates
secretivelyandunderground.However,itisofficiallyestimatedthatapproximately
8001200peoplefallvictimtohumantraffickinginCanadaonanannualbasis.Victims
aretypicallywomen,usuallyteensgirls,whoareluredintogangsandthentrafficked,
immigrantswhocannotfindothermeanstosupportthemselvesortheirfamilies,native
women,teenagerunawayswhoarevulnerableduetotheirlackoffood,shelter,andother
necessities,andchildrenwhoareinprotection.Whilebothmenandwomenare
trafficked,themajorityofvictimsarefemale.(PublicSafetyCanada).Anotherofthe
manyreasonsCanadaishavingdifficulty,likemanyothercountriesbattlingthisissue,is
thatthiscrimecanbecommittedbyorganizedcrimenetworksorjustanindividual.
Whileorganizedcrimesyndicateswillbeabletotrafficfarmorepeoplethanindividual
traffickers,theindividualswhocommitthiscrimeareinmostcaseshardertocatchand
prosecuteastheyoperatealoneandleavebehindalessdetectabletrailofevidence.
Largercrimeorganizationshavemoretraffickersandmorevictimswhichmeansmore

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

34

evidence,alargerfootprintforlawenforcementtofollow,andmorelooseendsthat
canleadtothepotentialdemiseoftheorganization.Theycan,however,lastlongerthan
asinglepersonorsmallgroupoftraffickersastheyhavemoreresourcesandmore
operatorswhichmeansifsomegetcaughtthegroupatlargecanstillfunction.
Regardlessofwhotrafficksthevictims,therearefactorsthatarecommontoall
traffickingcases.Therearenumeroussituationsinwhichtraffickersgaincontrolover
theirintendedvictimsthroughfraud,deception,abuseofpower,orbytakingadvantage
ofapersonsvulnerabilityasdescribedintheinternational
ProtocoltoPrevent,Suppress
andPunishTraffickinginPersons,especiallyWomenandChildren
asfollows:
"Trafficking in persons" shall mean the recruitment, transportation,
transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use
of force or other forms of coercion,ofabduction,offraud,ofdeception,
of the abuse of powerorofapositionofvulnerabilityorofthegivingor
receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person
having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.
Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the
prostitution ofothersorotherformsofsexualexploitation,forcedlabour
or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the
removal of organs... The consent of a victim of traffickinginpersonsto
the intended exploitation set forth [above] shall be irrelevant where any
ofthemeanssetforth[above]havebeenused.

(UNODC)

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

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TheproblemintheCanadian
CriminalCode
isthatinorderforatraffickertobe
prosecuted,therehastobeexploitation.Thisisfineforthosewhoaredirectlythreatened
bythetrafficker(s)However,traffickersdonotalwaysthreatenthesafetyofapersonor
theirfamiliesdirectly.Instead,theythreatendeportationofvictimsandtheirfamilies.
Deportationisaneffectivemeansofmanipulationasmanypeoplewhoaretargetedare
illegalimmigrantswantingtoavoiddetectionwhilelookingforasourceofincome.
Traffickersalsousedebtbondageorbondedslaverytoforcevictimstoworkforthem.
Debtbondageorbondedslaveryisdefinedaslabourthatisdemandedasameansof
repaymentforaloan.Thepersonisthentrickedortrappedintoworkingforverylittleor
nopay.Thevalueoftheirworkrarelyequalstheoriginalsumofmoneyborrowedandthe
highinterestratesbeingcharged.Oftenthedebtsarepassedontothenextgeneration.
Victimsareoftennotafraidtogointodebtbecausetheyarenotfullyawareoftheir
situationortheconditionsoftheirloan.However,theysoonbecomedependentontheir
employersortraffickersthroughpsychologicalmanipulationandtheburdenoftheir
circumstances.Thispresentsalargeproblembecauseaccordingtothe
CriminalCode,
in
ordertolaycharges,avictimmustfearfortheirlifeorsafety
.
Aspreviouslystated,
approximately8001200peoplearetraffickedinCanadayearly.Butaccordingtoachart
puttogetherbyStatisticsCanadaveryfewchargesarelaidandevenfewerpeopleare
prosecutedandreceiveajailsentence.Outofalltenprovincesandthreeterritories,
Ontariohasthehighestratesforpeoplechargedwithhumantraffickingwiththenumber
beingeightyeight.Quebecissecondhighestwithsixteencharges.NextisBritish
Columbiawiththirteen.Albertaisfourthwith6andNewBrunswickandNovaScotia

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

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haveoneeach.Thesenumbersarefartoolow,andseemworseconsideringthatnotallof
thechargersleadtoprosecution.Therehavebeenonlythirtyfivehumantrafficking
convictionssincenewlawstocombattheproblemcameintoeffectin2005,accordingto
PublicSafetyCanadaslatestreport.Thesethirtyfiveconvictionscomeoutof125people
thatwerechargedinCanadabetween2005and2012.Inaninterview,Winnipeg
ConservativeMP,JoySmith,anantihumantraffickingadvocate,saysmorechargesand
convictionsarewarranted.Ithinktoomanypeoplearegettingawaywithit,shesaid.
Basicallybecauseitwasunderthepublicradarscreen,policewerenttrainedforhuman
trafficking.Becauseofthelownumberofreportedcases,thereareveryfewpeoplewho
areconvicted.Thismaybebecausevictimsarenotcomingforwardandthejustice
systemisfailingthosewhodo.Inanycase,Canadahastoimproveitslawsandlaw
enforcementtofighttheissuewhichisexactlywhatithasbeentryingtodointhelast
coupleofyears.
(
/www.antislavery.org
)

International
Asintercontinentaltravelhasbecomecommon,prostitutionandhuman
traffickinghavebecomegrowingissues.Asonewouldexpect,avarietyofattemptshave
beenmadetowipeoutorevenstallorreducetheactivityofhumantrafficking.Inmost

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

37

countries,lawshavebeenpassedtodeterhumantraffickersfromtheirunsavorytradeand
toprosecutethosewhoassistinthetraffickingofhumans.Infirstworldcountriesthere
arelawenforcementagencieswhichhavespecificbranchesthatdealwithhuman
trafficking.Forexample,intheUnitedStatesofAmerica,theDepartmentofHealthand
HumanServiceshasanumberofresponsibilitiestowardvictimsoftraffickingwhoare
locatedintheUnitedStates.TheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity:USCitizenshipand
ImmigrationServices,andBureauofImmigrationandCustomsEnforcementinvestigates
casesoftrafficking,andisanimportantpartnerinvictimidentification.Therearemany
otherdepartmentsandbureausthatdealwithhumantraffickingandrelatedcrimessuch
asbondedslavery,sextrafficking,prostitution,etc...intheUnitedStates.Similarlaw
enforcementagenciesandgovernmentdepartmentsexistaroundtheworld.Butwhile
theirjobistocatchtheperpetratorsandfreethevictims,thereareotherwaystoprevent
thetraffickingfromgettingsofardowntheline.
(
/www.hhs.gov
)
(
www.uscis.com
)

Educationisanecessarytooltodiminishhumantraffickingandprostitution.
Peoplemustbemadeawareoftheadvancementsthathavebeenmadeinconfrontingthe
probleminrecentyears.Aspreviouslystated,lawsandlawenforcementagenciesthat
helpprotectvictimsandapprehendtraffickersisexcellentandshouldcontinuebutitis
farbettertosolvetheproblemratherthancontinuetobeatitbackeverysooften.
Advancesintechnology,theeaseofmovementbetweencountriesandthelucrative

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natureofthebusinesshasmadeitmoredifficulttoregulateandfighttheillegalactivities
thatareoccurringinthetraffickingworld.Peoplealsobelievethatpolicewillhandlethe
issuewheninreality,thepeoplecanbeofcriticalhelptopolicebysupplyingthemwith
information.Educatingpeopleontheissueofhumantraffickingwouldhelpsolvethese
andmanyotherproblemsthatresultfromignorance,falseideasandmisinformation.
Educationshouldtakeplacenotjustamongprivilegedpeople,buttheunderprivilegedas
itwillraiseawarenessoftheissueinamuchbroadermanner.Infact,itismore
appropriatefortheunderprivilegedtobeeducatedontheproblemastheyaremorelikely
tobevictimizedbyit.Traffickerswouldhaveadifficulttimetryingtotakepeopleaway
fromtheirfamiliesorjusttakingpeopleingeneralwhenthepotentialvictimsare
knowledgeableonallofthetricksthattraffickersmayusetolurethem.Inaninterview
withDr.Chutikul,ahumantraffickingspecialistandaveteraninthefightagainsthuman
traffickers,donebytheUNODC(UnitedNationsOfficeonDrugsandCrime)Dr.
Chutikulsaid:
Educationandknowledgeoftraffickinginpersonsamongallmembersof
societyarekeytobeatinghumantraffickers.Youhavetouseallofthe
meansatyourdisposaltoraiseawarenessaboutthecrime,itsnature,
causesanddamagetovictimsGovernments,civilsociety,thepress,
privatecompanies:eachandeveryentitymustworktowardpromoting
knowledgeofthisissue.
(
http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2011/February/awarenessand

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

39

educationarekeytobeatinghumantrafficking.html
)
Thekeytosolvingtheproblemisknowinghowtoaddresstheissueandto
recognizethesignsofhumantraffickingaswellasknowingthetacticsusedbytraffickers
totrickormanipulatepeopleintobecomingvictims.Thekeytothisiseducation.
Educatingcitizensonaglobalscale,especiallythoseathighrisk,allowspotentialvictims
toavoidsituationsthatmaycompromisethemandputthemintohandsofhuman
traffickers.
Whilemanyexpertsontheissueofhumantraffickingallagreethateducation
shouldbeoneofthemainways,ifnottheprimarywayofbattlinghumantrafficking,it
hasnotalwaysworkedasthereisoneproblemwithit:therehavetobepeopleableto
teachandpeoplewillingtolearn.Oftentimes,theUnitedNationswillsendpeopleto
thirdworldcountriestoeducatethemonthedangersofhumantraffickers,howtoavoid
themandhowtohandletheminanappropriatemanneriftheyshouldconfrontfamiliesor
individuals.This,intheory,isanexcellentidea,andshouldworktoveryahighdegree.
However,astheeducatorsaretravellingtothirdworldcountriestospeaktokidsin
schools,theyfindthatmanyareawayhelpingtheirparentsandfamiliessustain
themselvesbyworkinginfamilyrunstoresandstalls,collectingandgatheringfoodand
water,begging,anddoingnumerousotherthingstotrytokeeptheirfamiliesfedandas
healthyaspossible.Themajorityofchildrendonothavetimetogotoschoolasthat
wouldtakevaluabletimefromtheirdaythatcouldbespenthelpingtheirfamily.Another
reasonthatthisisnotascommonasolutionisthechangesthathavetakenplaceinthe

HumanTraffickingandProstitutionDanielV.

40

humantraffickingindustryinrecentyears.Becauseithasbecomesuchaproblemona
globalscaleinsuchashorttime,ithascaughtgovernmentsoffguardandleftthem
scramblingtocatchuptoanevolvingindustry.Thishasleftgovernmentswithonly
outdatedorincompleteinformationtobeusedintheeducationprocess.Asmoreand
moregovernmentsjointhefightagainsthumantrafficking,knowledgeandunderstanding
oftheissueshouldincreaseprovidedmorefundsareputtowardsathoroughstudyingof
theproblemandthedevelopmentofmoreeffectivemeansofcommunicatingwithlocal
communities.Onceinthosecommunities,protectingandpreparingpeopletodealwith
theappearanceofhumantraffickingshouldbefarmoresystematicandproductive.One
communityatatime,themeanstodefendagainstandmaybeevendefeathuman
trafficking,canreachaglobalaudience.
(
www.unodc.org
)

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Appendix
ViolatedHumanRightsintheActofHumanTrafficking

1.

All
humanbeingsarebornfreeandequalindignityandrights.Theyare
endowedwithreasonandconscienceandshouldacttowardsoneanotherina
spiritofbrotherhood.

2. EveryoneisentitledtoalltherightsandfreedomssetforthinthisDeclaration,
withoutdistinctionofanykind,suchasrace,colour,sex,language,religion,
politicalorotheropinion,nationalorsocialorigin,property,birthorother
status.Furthermore,nodistinctionshallbemadeonthebasisofthepolitical,
jurisdictionalorinternationalstatusofthecountryorterritorytowhichaperson
belongs,whetheritbeindependent,trust,nonselfgoverningorunderanyother
limitationofsovereignty.
3. Article6.Everyonehastherighttolife,libertyandsecurityofperson.
4. Article9.Nooneshallbeheldinslaveryorservitudeslaveryandtheslave
tradeshallbeprohibitedinalltheirforms.
5. Article9.Nooneshallbesubjectedtotortureortocruel,inhumanor
degradingtreatmentorpunishment.
6. Article22.Everyone,asamemberofsociety,hastherighttosocialsecurity
andisentitledtorealization,throughnationaleffortandinternational

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42

cooperationandinaccordancewiththeorganizationandresourcesofeach
State,oftheeconomic,socialandculturalrightsindispensableforhisdignity
andthefreedevelopmentofhispersonality.
7.

Article23.(1)Everyonehastherighttowork,tofreechoiceofemployment,
tojustandfavourableconditionsofworkandtoprotectionagainst
unemployment.(2)Everyone,withoutanydiscrimination,hastherightto
equalpayforequalwork.(3)Everyonewhoworkshastherighttojustand
favourableremunerationensuringforhimselfandhisfamilyanexistence
worthyofhumandignity,andsupplemented,ifnecessary,byothermeansof
socialprotection.(4)Everyonehastherighttoformandtojointradeunions
fortheprotectionofhisinterests.

8. Article24.Everyonehastherighttorestandleisure,includingreasonable
limitationofworkinghoursandperiodicholidayswithpay.
9. Article25.(1)Everyonehastherighttoastandardoflivingadequateforthe
healthandwellbeingofhimselfandofhisfamily,includingfood,clothing,
housingandmedicalcareandnecessarysocialservices,andtherightto
securityintheeventofunemployment,sickness,disability,widowhood,old
ageorotherlackoflivelihoodincircumstancesbeyondhiscontrol.(2)
Motherhoodandchildhoodareentitledtospecialcareandassistance.All
children,whetherborninoroutofwedlock,shallenjoythesamesocial
protection.

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