Monday, April 10, 2017
(WRDW/WAGT) — Human trafficking is an epidemic that affects millions of men, women, and children around the world, including here in the United States.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, human trafficking is described as a “modern-day slavery” that uses “force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act.” Further, it is estimated that the industry generates billions of dollars a year.
The National Human Trafficking Resource Center compiles the numbers of reports in each state each year. In 2016, Georgia had 150 cases while South Carolina had 54 reported cases. While there are many types of trafficking, sex trafficking is the most common form.
Females and adults are the most likely to be trafficked, and in the United States, natural-born citizens are more likely to be forced into human trafficking than foreign-born citizens.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, traffickers look for people who are susceptible for a variety of reasons, including psychological or emotional vulnerability, economic hardship, lack of a social safety net, natural disasters, or political instability. Many human trafficking victims may not identify as victims or ask for help.
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