T: Human Trafficking

What is Human Trafficking?

Human Trafficking is an extremely serious crime and violation of human rights. It is complex because it can happen to anyone – men, women, children, undocumented immigrants, and U.S. citizens.  Thousands of men, women, and children are trafficked every year in the United States, and countries abroad. Traffickers exploit and abuse people in vulnerable situations who may not be aware this is occurring to them or may be unable to seek help. There is not a country in the world unaffected by trafficking.

Examining Human Trafficking

The basis of human trafficking can be explained as trafficking persons for a sole purpose. Human trafficking often involves the recruitment and transportation of victims through force, coercion, abduction, fraud, or abuse of power. The purpose of trafficking is to exploit a person or people to gain money. Reasons for trafficking can include:

• Prostitution
• Forced labor
• Slavery
• Sexual exploitation

Human trafficking unfortunately has many terms that apply. You may have more commonly heard of terms such as sex trafficking, child sex trafficking, debt bondage, or human organ trafficking. If you are unsure whether or a situation constitutes human trafficking, consider the circumstances and protocol.

The Chicago immigration legal team at Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. is here to answer any questions you have about human trafficking.

Human Trafficking Statistics

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline in Illinois, the highest reported type of human trafficking in 2019 was sex trafficking. The highest reported gender being trafficked was female adults of foreign nationality. Every year, there are estimated to be 27 million men, women, and children trafficked all around the world.

Criminalization of Human Trafficking

Criminalization and sentencing of a person guilty of taking any part in human trafficking can be tricky. There are several components that attribute to whether a person had enough involvement in a criminal trafficking organization. First, the protocol for trafficking a person(s) must considered. In addition to the protocol, there can also be criminalization of:

• Attempting to commit trafficking
• Organizing or directing others to commit trafficking
• Participation as an accomplice in trafficking

Other factors that will determine incrimination include:

• Trafficking occurred across borders
• There was an intention for a range of exploitative purposes
• The victimization of children, women, and men (as opposed to one or the other)
• If the crime took place within or outside of an organized criminal group

Combatting Human Trafficking

As awful as human trafficking is, there are steps we can take to fight against it in hopes of preventing it from continuing to have devastating effects on our communities. Ways to combat human trafficking include:

• Learning indicators of human trafficking by taking awareness training courses
• Calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline if you believe someone may be a victim
• Donating or volunteering with an anti-trafficking organization
• Using social media as a platform to advocate against human trafficking

The Chicago immigration legal team at Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. is available to answer any questions you have about human trafficking.

Contact an Attorney Today

The support of a trusted attorney is invaluable for victims of trafficking crimes. If you have been a victim of or involved in human trafficking, the specialists at Scott D. Pollock & Associates can help. Contact a member of our team today at 312.444.1940.