Persuasive essay. Join Polaris to Put an End to Human Trafficking

Join Polaris to Put an End to Human Trafficking
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Join Polaris to Put an End to Human Trafficking
Introduction
In the words of Frederick Douglass, a renowned abolitionist and social reformer, slavery would soon emerge in a new form that all humanity must watch out for and get ready to overcome. Three centuries later, these words have come to pass as the world struggles to wrestle the old monster in a new form, that is, human trafficking. A crime against humanity, a gross violation of human rights, and a backward practice that threatens modern civilization. This is what human trafficking is and the reason why every person, institution, and government should be committed to eradicating it. Imagine a 21st century world where more than 20 million women, men, and children have been forced into schemes of exploitation by a network of human traffickers that makes an annual profit of $150 billion (United Way, 2019). The generation that must unite to stop human trafficking is none other but us. This is the reason why Polaris with its Grassroots Network was formed: To make freedom happen now by serving survivors and victims, tracking the patterns of human trafficking, and converting knowledge to action.
“For those of you who think it cannot happen to you, I want to let you know that the dragnet of the traffickers is so wide that only God knows who is safe” (Agbu, 2003). These were the words of the wife of a former Vice President of Nigeria in her reference to the magnitude of human trafficking. Tiki Atiku Abubakar is a passionate advocate of the rights of women and children. Moreover, women and children are the most vulnerable population. As such, her observation that anybody could be a victim of human trafficking stems from her experiences while working as an advocate. Over the years, human trafficking has expanded beyond child labor and prostitution. Today, the business of stealing human freedom has become highly organized just like the slave trade of the 17th century. The numerous linkages across the globe have not only targeted women and young girls. Young boys too often fall prey to the dragnet of the traffickers as they seek a better life overseas.
For those who have familiarized themselves with the history of slavery and the slave trade, this ancient evil existed in many forms. For example, war captives often ended up being slaves. Enslavement could also serve as a punishment for committing a crime. In other circumstances, severe poverty and hunger could result in some families selling their relatives as slaves (Agbu, 2003). Despite the efforts by the perpetrators of the slave trade to justify their trade, most civilizations quickly opposed the evil as it constituted the basest of violations against humanity. With the remarkable advances in knowledge and understanding of the environment and human nature, one would not have expected the return of an evil that closely resembles slavery. Unfortunately, a combination of factors including poverty, corruption, and lack of laws to protect vulnerable populations have resulted in a world where human beings are prized and exchanged for monetary gains like any other commodity in the market.
The number of people who have been subjected to slavery today is astonishing as it is estimated to range between 20 and 30 million. This is the highest number to be ever recorded at any one time in world history. Another shocking revelation is that between 700,000 and 900,000 people become victims of trafficking every year. This is according to reports by the United Nations. Out of this number, the United States alone records about 14,500-17,500 people every year (Salett, 2011). Today, human trafficking is regarded as the most lucrative business, only second to the drug trade. Besides, it is the only business which is growing at the highest rate. People who are trafficked are forced to work in different industries such as mining, agriculture, and forced prostitution.
Though trafficking of humans is not a new phenomenon, what is shocking is the rate at which it is spreading considering the trends in the last 15 years. In explaining this rapid growth in magnitude and scope, several interconnected factors are worth considering. First and foremost, there is the issue of rapid population growth, especially in developing countries. Accompanying this population growth is the escalating trends of rural-urban migration whereby an increasing number of people are moving to urban areas to look for employment opportunities. However, the tragedy with this migration trend is that many urban areas have become overpopulated with the resultant scarcity of jobs. This has given room for different forms of trade one of them being human trafficking. One may wonder why human trafficking has continued to spread and blatantly conducted despite the presence of governments who have the machinery and ability to curb it. However, corruption has taken root in many governments thus allowing human trafficking to continue taking place under the very eyes of the authorities.
Additionally, the conflicting data about the exact number of people who have been trafficked have also made it difficult for anti-trafficking organizations to be effective in mobilizing their campaigns. Furthermore, this illegal trade is secretive and some government officials through receiving bribes have allowed human traffickers to ignore border rules and operate using false documents. The difficulty in estimating the number of victims of human trafficking is reflected in the estimates released by different bodies such as the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the FBI. For instance, according to Cummings & Parrot (2008, p. 7), the FBI estimated that in 2001, about 700,000 children and women were victims of human trafficking worldwide. However, according to UNICEF, this number was put at 1.75 million in the same year. Also, the United Nations had estimated the number of women and children who were victims of human trafficking in 2000 to be 4 million though it changed these estimates in 2001 to 1 million.
Another question which is raised by the subject matter is how it has been difficult to deal with traffickers yet human trafficking takes place in a similar manner throughout the globe. Therefore, if appropriate approaches are put in place, it would be effective across the board in eradicating this social menace. Traffickers use several tactics to carry out their business. Some kidnap their victims while others offer false promises such as jobs and a better life abroad. Still, others promise their victims opportunities to further their education. Some cases involve relatives who win the trust of their victims by virtue of being their relatives (UNODC, 2017). Travel arrangements are usually made by the traffickers who ensure that their victims reach their pre-determined destinations. After the victims have reached their destinations, they are coerced to enter into domestic servitude, prostitution, and forced labor in different industries.
At this juncture, every person should know that there could be victims of human trafficking in your neighborhoods who might need your help if you only became more observant and action-oriented. This fact is exemplified by the recent...