Human Organ Trafficking as Part of Trafficking Issues

What once was never talked about has now become a hot topic of the news. Human trafficking is not something that we only face in America, but it is a global problem affecting millions. Human trafficking does not discriminate between race, gender, or age. Everyone can be at risk of becoming a victim to this terrible practice that is happening right this very moment.

Children are taken from their parents, a mother is taken from her children and family, and a father or brother can no longer support the family. This sadly is the reality for many individuals who are victims of this illegal trade of humans. So how can we as Americans help with this growing global tragedy! Human trafficking is a global issue that continues to claim too many victims every year. Just reported in 2017 an estimated 24.9 million victims are trapped in what we would call modern-day slavery (Human Rights, 2017).

Human trafficking is expected to be one of the most profitable crimes in the world, with the International Labour Organisation estimating that forced labor generates over USD 150 billion per year. (Miralis, 2018). Exploitation as human trafficking includes, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs." (Wright, 2017) Human trafficking denies the victims of their basic human rights and is an experience that will stick with these victims for the rest of their lives. This terrible crime does not discriminate.

It doesn't care what your race, gender, or age is. Anyone can fall victim to this unfathomable crime. "Human trafficking affects every country in the world and has been associated with transnational organizations, small crime, local gangs, violations of immigration codes, and government corruption"(Human trafficking in the United States, 6) Human trafficking does not always involve traveling to the destination of exploitation 14% of victims of forced labor moved either internally or internationally, while 74% of victims of sexual exploitation were living outside their country of residence (Human Rights, 2017). Another problem that contributed to trafficking is Poverty.

The social system that is implemented into society distributes inequality among communities — leaving a significant disadvantage to those who are economically deficient. Poverty is a primary culprit and the center of why sex trafficking is progressing at such a rapid rate (Wright, 2017). This unjustified modern trade reflects the unethical state affairs that contribute to the illegal trafficking of individuals and then turns it into a sexual commodity.

The economic globalization has brought front a negative financial viewpoint regarding the abuse of the trading market. Instead, these organizations are promoting the trade of human trafficking of women, men, and young children. This creates a negative impact in the economy by taking advantage of a broken ofter shattered environment, that can no longer progress and deal with the criminal acts committed.

Sex trafficking is being used to take advantage of those that are economically vulnerable, and lure victims in with false pretenses that are in search of a better life. No one is off limits when it comes to falling victim to these crimes. Victims of sex trafficking in the United States come from all over the world including natural born citizens. The Central Intelligence Agency estimates that there are 50,000 women and children trafficked each year throughout the United States alone for the purposes of sexual exploitation (Hepburn & Simon, 2013). These women and children are abused, tricked and forced to be a part of an auction where they are put behind glass and rendered as less than human, and sold in a brothel where a number replaces their name.

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 (Clawson, Dutch, Solomon, Grace, 2014). Many of them experience rape and other sorts of sexual harassment leaving them emotionally scarred for life. Another problem that many face in this illegal human trafficking is the illegal trafficking of organs. It is the capture of those who are the poor, vulnerable, displaced, disgraced or dispossessed, and then dispossal of those individuals. This is a life or death dilemma, victims and donors may walk away content and have a new lease on life.

Organ trafficking, also defined as ‘illegal organ trade' or ‘organ purchase' describes the practice of trafficking persons for the purpose of organ removal, a grim reality even in the 21st century. Trafficking in human beings for organ removal and human organ trade are universally condemned. However, despite efforts to curb and to illuminate the illegal nature of the practice, the buying and selling of organs continue. It is involving patients traveling to countries throughout the world. It has been estimated that approximately 10% of all transplants may occur illegally (Curr Opin Organ Transplant, 2009). According to the World Health Organization, approximately 7,000 kidneys are harvested unlawfully annually by traffickers worldwide, and the prices vary widely by country.

Finding a full proof plan to end human trafficking is virtually an impossible task, but one solution that could help wonders is to raise awareness of this growing problem. Educate the public on the dangers of human trafficking and bring awareness to the issues at hand. By bringing awareness to this kind of information can help reduce the number of victims caught in the human trafficking world. There are currently hundreds of organizations across the globe that try and save and rehabilitate victims of human trafficking. They also work to educate the public about the signs of a potential trafficker and signs to look out for. Many people say that this is something that could never happen to me, but it is easy for anyone to fall into the trap of human trafficking.

Society must be aware of the signs and the risk that goes along with this illegal trade. So as Americans if we could bring awareness to only one person, we could have saved that one person from living in a world of being human trafficked. Another solution to this growing problem is to have stricter laws in place at all border checks. The governments should take measures to identify and prevent and ultimately reduce the risk of human trafficking in government procurement supply chains.

Additionally, governments should provide tools and incentives and have procedures that require officers to assess the nature and extent of a potential human trafficker and look in their supply chains and take targeted action. Governments can also provide tools and incentives to the public for reporting efforts, including through new laws and policies. By creating more governmental intervention, it promotes stricter policies and stronger social and political institutions that could help terminate the human trafficking organizations, and help recover data discrepancies to catch those over illegal human trafficking.

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