Vigilance Needed in Fight Against Human Trafficking

All of the media stories depict sex trafficking. Sex trafficking, however, is only one of the many types of human trafficking that violates a person's rights, safety, and dignity. Human trafficking also refers to the ways people are recruited and then forced into labor such as factory work, agricultural work, domestic servitude, restaurant work, and servile marriage.

Two years ago, a person visiting her neighbor noticed that the maid in the house was quietly crying in the corner. The maid revealed that despite being promised a part-time job and a work visa, her employer paid far less than minimum wage, did not offer breaks, held her travel documents, isolated her from calling her family, and threatened to call the police and immigration authorities. She spoke little English and had no idea who she could call for help. Like many people in her situation, she felt isolated, powerless and afraid. She did not know what to do. One day with the help of her neighbor, she was able to escape and connect with community resources to help her rebuild her life.

Another woman promised her cousin a restaurant job in a fancy hotel. She would arrange his work visa if he could come quickly to the U.S. He arrived and was quickly led to a house under surveillance. The doors locked from the outside. All the men living there were escorted to the budget restaurant, a far cry from the expensive restaurant he expected.

He worked seven days a week, often working twelve hour shifts only to be paid $400 per month. He escaped during a busy shift at the restaurant, but others like him remain.

Human trafficking is a fast growing business enterprise, because its victims are so isolated and the profit is so lucrative. The United Nations estimates that more than four million people are trafficked worldwide each year. It is estimated that 50,000 children and adults are trafficked to the U.S alone.

Trafficked people live next door. They work in the factory down the street. They work in your favorite restaurant, yet trafficked people do not understand that they are victims of a crime. There are services that will allow them to live safely in the U.S., free from fear of the police or immigration. With increased awareness, we can act together to free exploited people, one person at a time.

The Asian Anti Trafficking Collaborative ("AATC") assists trafficked people and can provide them resources and options to be safe from their traffickers. AATC provides legal representation, shelter, and the coordination of social services including health services, job training and English language classes.

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