Victimology

            When discussing human trafficking it is important to know the countries of receipt and the countries of origin.  A better understanding of domestic trafficking here in the United States could also help people realize the magnitude of the escalating conditions.  There have been several studies done to capture this type of data as well as those who are most likely to be victimized.  To date there are over 160 countries that participate in the act of trafficking; whether it is by supplying the victims or profiting off the services the victims provide.  

            Those who are easily targeted for trafficking usually share a few commonalities that make it easier to seek them out.  Individuals who struggle to meet their essential needs or have few limited economic opportunities are easy targets because they exude a certain amount of vulnerability.  Being vulnerable is the hardest characteristic to overcome in these circumstances. There are so many attributes that contribute to that level of susceptibility.  Being young, having a limited education, lacking a stable family support system, having a history of abuse, or being brought up in a difficult living area are just a few of the things traffickers look for in victims.  It is a lot easier to entice someone to a “new life” if they do not have anything substantial to hold onto from their current life.  In several countries runaways and throwaways are some of the most likely people to fall prey to these trafficking scandals because they do not have any other options.  For some it is just a mean for survival.  In disadvantaged countries women are the easiest targets because of the lack of equality between men and women.  Most disadvantaged countries hold the monopoly on sex tourism which in a way can be tied into trafficking, even though some participate is sex tourism willingly.   Victims of international trafficking are often trying to escape the economic and political crises occurring in their home country.  Traffickers are usually aware of which countries can be easily exploited, such as Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia.  In 2006, El Salvador and Mexico had the highest percentage of certified victims of the trafficking industry both countries percentage was at over 20% of the population (Dept. of Health and Human Services).   

            Domestic trafficking research in the United States mostly focuses on minors involved because they seem to be more at risk. According to the Department of Health and Human Services an estimated 199,000 incidents of sexual exploitation regarding youths occurs every year. The national age of young girls being exposed to prostitution is 12-14. For boys it is even younger, ranging from 11-13 years of age.  Studies show that if a victim has a prior history of sexual abuse or any abuse in general in their home life their chances of being exploited increases exponentially.  Although most studies focus on sex trafficking American minors are also very much at risk for labor trafficking it is just harder to collect data on it due to the constant shifting of locations in which labor is needed.  Children are preferred for labor services because they are more easily controllable and less likely to demand better conditions.  Most traffickers use the allure of going and living in the United States as a way to entice victims.

Sources:

"United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime." United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.           Web. Apr. 2012. <http://www.unodc.org/>.

"Interested in Statistics?" Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). Web. Apr. 2012.             <http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/>.

Clawson, Heather J., Nicole Dutch, Amy Solomon, and Lisa Goldblatt Grace. "Human    Trafficking Into and Withing the United States." Human Trafficking Into and   Within the United States. Department of Health and Human Services, Aug. 2009. Web. <http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/07/humantrafficking/litrev/>.