PART I: RESEARCH TOPIC

An Intensive Essay Presenting The Issues of Human Trafficking

Abbey N. Wood

Barr: Dual Enrollment English Composition II – Period #

Thursday, April 1, 2021

 “As a result of the multiple traumas trafficking victims endure, the path to restoring wellness is
often long and complex, requiring additional time and patience from mental health counselors” -
Marburger, 18

PART I: RESEARCH TOPIC

An Intensive Essay Presenting The Issues of Human Trafficking

I. Preface: Topic + Subtitle Overview and Cover Photo/Collage

II. Key Quotation Page

III. Introduction and Thesis

A. Sex trafficking is a problem no matter the nationality, race or
religion Socio economic factors, it happens everywhere in to anyone
B. Human Trafficking is a crime and traumatic experience, which
affects the social, ethical, mental and physical aspects of the victims.

C. Human trafficking is unethical

D. Human Trafficking is a crime and traumatic experience, which
affects the social, ethical, mental and physical aspects of the victims.

IV. Topic Point I + Text Support For It (Refer To Any Peer-Reviewed Articles
#1-#12)

A. Why is Human trafficking one of the biggest crimes

B. example of an unethical business practice because it is very profitable,
but also deteriorating to peoples lives, and goes against human decencyV.
Topic Point II + Text Support For It (Refer To Any Peer-Reviewed Articles #1-
#12)

A. Why is human trafficking unethical?

B. During the traffic experience, violence, death, beating, stabbings and
kidnapping are constant threats
 C. Creates trust issues

VI. Topic Point III + Text Support For It (Refer To Peer-Reviewed Articles
#1-#12)

A. Why is human trafficking a big social issue?

B.Victims are left with PTSD and mental issues

VII. Topic Point IV + Text Support For It (Refer To Peer-Reviewed Articles #1-
#12)

A. Why is human trafficking hard to stop

B. We need more awareness and laws

VIII. Collective Personal Reflections: Points I + II + III + IV

A. Human trafficking needs to be stopped because it is unethical
B. Victims are left scarred
C. Therapy and counseling are needed

IX. Closing Applications To Today’s Society and Conclusions

A. Human trafficking is a societal issue
B. There are no excuses for it
C. Trafficking needs more awareness
D.Many victims are often left alone, which creates psychological
distress due to the consequences of social and physical isolation
E. Victims need extra help

PART I: RESEARCH TOPIC

An Intensive Essay Presenting The Issues of Human Trafficking

Topic: Human trafficking is one of the biggest issues in America because it is unethical

Thesis
Human Trafficking is a crime and traumatic experience, which affects the social, ethical, mental
and physical aspects of the victims.

1,500 to 2,000 WORD ESSAY

Human trafficking is often referred to as modern-day slavery and is found in every corner of

the globe (Marburger). This is the unethical act of kidnapping people and forcing them to do

things against their will, including sex acts and even fraud. Human Trafficking is one of the

Worlds most shameful and illegal acts, leaving victims devastated and traumatized. Human

trafficking is a massive industry, and extremely profitable. Traffickers expect a lot of money

with little fear of getting in trouble legally, therefore, this industry continues to thrive in

extremely unethical ways. Trafficking is difficult to stop because the victims are usually very

vulnerable, and hidden from society. Sex trafficking is a problem no matter the nationality, race

or religion Socio economic factors, it happens everywhere in to anyone (Philip). Human

Trafficking is a crime and traumatic experience, which affects the ethical, economic, and

psycological/social aspects of victims.

Human trafficking is a key example of an unethical business practice because it is very

profitable, but also deteriorating to peoples lives, and goes against human decency. Human

trafficking involves exploitation, which is the ill treatment of the prostitution of others or other

forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery,

servitude or the removal of organs (Philip). It is the second largest illegal crime industry, second
to drugs. Traffickers tend to prey on vulnerable people by luring them in with promises of a

better life and even job opportunities. Giving these people false hope is a source of manipulation.

The exchange of sex is sometimes the only means that young woman have available to meet

basic needs under the current political economic system that promotes an ideology of self-

sufficiency well ignoring structural inequalities (Finigan). This may not be completely illegal in

a few cases, however, as soon any use of threat, force, or sexual exploitation is forced upon

victims, the trafficking is completely illegal and unethical. Victims are usually lured in or

forcibly taken. Sometimes these people do not even realize they are being victimized because

they are being manipulated. In other cases, victims are aware of what is happening, but have no

way of getting out of the situation, however, may try to escape the system. If they are caught,

they will most likely be killed. During the traffic experience, violence, death, beating, stabbings

and kidnapping are constant threats(Mumey). Traffickers use this force to create authority and

fear over the victims. After the people are victimized, they often feel confused and overwhelmed,

and some even believe they initially agreed to participate, and that they can never leave. Because

of this, human trafficking victims often develop trust issues with people because they are

continuously let down and lied to by the traffickers. This can cause the victims to struggle with

forming trustworthy relationships with people outside of the trafficking industry. Human organs

are also mistreated in trafficking. Organ trafficking is a concept in which the goal is to make

money from human organs and tissue, which will then be used for transplants. “More than

114,000 organ transplants are performed annually in over 100 countries. Estimating that 5-10%

of kidney transplants result from commercial transactions, who has warned against the

worldwide trade for profit in human organs which tarnishes this life-saving therapy (Cokar).

Although many laws have been made to prevent this, enforcement is weak, therefore many
human traffickers take advantage of this and use force and abuse upon victims to gain their

organs and use them in morally wrong ways.

A major reason as to why human trafficking continues to exist is because it is very profitable.

A mass amount of money is made, but in morally wrong ways. The International Labor Office

has estimated that the profits from human trafficking are $150 billion a year, of which $99

billion comes from sexual exploitation (Marburger). As people become exposed to exploitation

and businesses continue to look for the lowest-cost labour sources, trafficking human beings

creates profit, and then a market for human trafficking is formed. Just like the international drug

trade and the weapons trade, profit is the key factor for human trafficking. Human traffickers

correlate the supply of labour in source areas with the demand for labour in areas. Corruption in

politicians and law enforcement officers contribute to both the lack of accurate information on

human trafficking and the ease with which traffickers transport and exploit victims (Shoham).

Human trafficking remains a big issue because there is not enough enforcement and awareness

relating to it. More people need to be educated on the dangers of human trafficking, and there

needs to be sticter laws preventing the casualties of human trafficking. Traffickers encounter few

barriers to entering the market when they see profit being made by other traffickers or exiting the

market if they find they are not making a profit (Shoham). Human traffickers argue themselves

that human trafficking is not a big deal, and it is excusable. They think they have logical reasons

why it is acceptable, one of these being it helps them make money. Human traffickers lack the

ability to see right from wrong, making their practices very unethical. In an interview with an

actual trafficker, he claims he killed about 500 different women and children alone just because

they did not follow his orders. This man alone trafficked around 3000 people, probably even

more. He believes it is not that big of a deal because it does not affect him, and it is a source of
income (Kemp). It is inhumane and unethical to kidnap someone unlawfully to gain profit from

them. There are many other legal and ethical ways to make money, such as jobs and budgeting,

so human trafficking is never an excuse.

Victims of human trafficking experience many social and psychological issues. Many victims

are often left alone, which creates psychological distress due to the consequences of social and

physical isolation (Ramaswamy). When forced into this system, some victims never get to see

their friends and family ever again, some are killed, and the people who safely make it out are

often damaged. It deprives a person of the ability to cope with other stressful situations and daily

activities. After experiencing these traumatic situations, victims are left struggling. The types of

physical and psychological abuse human trafficking victims experience often leads to critical

mental or emotional health, including feelings of guilt, PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance

abuse (alcohol or narcotics), and eating disorders. These problems hinder the victims ability to

thrive in the future. Numerous programs strive to help women who are exiting sex work secure

sources of income by providing targeted support at key moments during the transition (Shareck).

Victims of trafficking often need mental care as part of medical treatment. Oftentimes, victims

struggle to recover due to limited access to professional mental health services. More counselors

and mentors should be made available in order to help these suffering victims. However,

providing culturally appropriate mental health treatment can be challenging because it is difficult

for people to establish trusting relationships with survivors. In addition to bettering a victims

physical and mental health, it is important that people working with victims are knowledgeable

in a range of trauma related interventions, including well trained medical professionals who are

willing to work with victims and create change. There are many treatment approaches for

helping victims, particularly for young adults, including participation in educational support
groups to enhance skill development, personal connections, and intimate relationships. Although

it is very challenging to meet the mental health needs of victims, an effort to create trustworthy

relationships is a promising first step. A longer duration of trafficking may be linked to higher

levels of mental distress, which decreases as time since exiting exploitation increases, and that

the risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infection may be related as much to prevalence in

women’s areas of origin and exploitation as other characteristics of exploitation (Sian). This

shows how victims not only experience mental health problems, but sexually transmitted

diseases as well. Not only are victims affected by this, but their families are also impacted.

Families of victims have often come together to talk, and comfort one another to understand the

new changes their family dynamics may be facing. Since the victim has gone through such a

horrible experience, they are often more fragile and harder because of post-traumatic stress

disorder (PTSD). The act of human trafficking is so unethical that it messes with both individuals

and families overall well being.

Overall, human trafficking is a serious crime that is detrimental to victims health. Human

trafficking goes against morals and leaves many innocent people in shambles. This corrupt

system continues to affect many people's lives because it is very profitable and the consequences

are not severe enough to prevent the traffickers from continuing their ways. This is a big issue

that needs a lot of attention and awareness, as well as stricter laws, but the most important thing

to do, as an individual, is become educated on human trafficking.

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