California Family Minute
February 2, 2011
Slavery is returning to the United States
by Rebecca Burgoyne,
CFC Research Analyst
Hidden from view, unknown to many, a modern-day scourge afflicts our nation, challenging the notion of freedom precious to our American sensibilities. Modern-day slavery – human trafficking – is growing. The United States is one of the top three destinations for traffickers who import 15,000-17,000 men, women, and children annually, mostly for forced prostitution and domestic labor. California, with its extensive international borders, numerous ports and airports, and large, varied economy and population, is a prime destination. (ACR 6)
Generating $32 billion a year, human trafficking has surpassed the drug trade to become the second most lucrative activity for organized crime. Eighty percent of victims are women and children, and 70 percent are forced into sexual servitude. (Focus on the Family)
Victims of sex trafficking in the United States are often young runaways, fleeing an abusive home situation or foster care, who are befriended by seemingly friendly young men who promise them food and shelter. Congress in 2005 found that between 100,000 to 300,000 American teens are at risk for sex trafficking annually. The average age for girls forced into prostitution is between 11-14.
In other cases, young children are imported into the country by wealthy immigrants who bring with them a form of slavery that is illegal but common in their African countries of origin. Associated Press (AP) journalist Rukmini Callimachi unmasked this practice in a stirring December 2008 piece, which chronicled the story of young Shyima, who at age 10 was brought by a wealthy Egyptian couple to work – up to 20 hours a day – in their Irvine home. A study by the National Human Rights Center at the University of California at Berkley claims about one-third of the 10,000 forced laborers in the United States are domestics in suburban homes.
As legislators gained an appreciation of the scope of human trafficking, bills tackling the issue became “the latest big trend,” according to Ann Morse, a director at the National Conference of State Legislatures. The Clinton administration developed the first policies to combat the problem in 1998, followed by legislation two years later. Since that time, both federal and state legislation has expanded and augmented solutions, and public awareness has grown.
The California Legislature first addressed the issue in 2005 and has incrementally expanded its anti-trafficking laws since then, providing stronger tools for prosecutors to deal with these criminals. Now most states have legislation on the books addressing the issue, and only a handful of states have failed to pass even the most basic anti-trafficking laws. (Polaris Project)
Currently, there are three human trafficking proposals that have been introduced in the California Legislature. ACR 6 (Donnelly, R-Claremont) would recognize January 2011 as the National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month and call on Californians to “educate themselves about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking.” As a resolution, ACR 6 does not have the force of law, but would express the collective opinion of the Legislature. Already, 70 legislators have added their names as co-authors. Two other measures – AB 12 and AB 90 – were authored by Assemblyman Sandre Swanson (D-Oakland), who has authored anti-trafficking laws in the past. AB 12 would increase the fiscal penalty for a person convicted of a major sexual crime when the victim is under age 16. AB 90 would expand the language of certain felony laws to include persuading or forcing a minor into any lewd or lascivious acts, or procuring minors for the preparation of material depicting sexual conduct by a minor, i.e., child pornography.
Human trafficking may seem to be a distant problem, but it is one that is creeping through the backdoors of our own communities. Feeder industries – adult bookstores, strip clubs, and porn shops – that create the demand for commercial sex trade co-exist in our communities. Increased crime and gang activity, child exploitation, and public health problems in our communities can all be linked to human trafficking. Many women and children like Shyima are hidden away in our suburban neighborhoods.
Much of the effort to help the victims escaping the bonds of modern-day slavery has fallen to charities and non-governmental organizations. Many churches and local ministries are involved. Human trafficking victimizes individuals made in the image of God – with inherent value and worth. Commonly, family members and friends of those taken captive say they never thought human trafficking would touch their lives. Prayerfully determine what you and your church can do to help.
For more information:
Slavery is returning to the United States
by Rebecca Burgoyne,
CFC Research Analyst
Hidden from view, unknown to many, a modern-day scourge afflicts our nation, challenging the notion of freedom precious to our American sensibilities. Modern-day slavery – human trafficking – is growing. The United States is one of the top three destinations for traffickers who import 15,000-17,000 men, women, and children annually, mostly for forced prostitution and domestic labor. California, with its extensive international borders, numerous ports and airports, and large, varied economy and population, is a prime destination. (ACR 6)
Generating $32 billion a year, human trafficking has surpassed the drug trade to become the second most lucrative activity for organized crime. Eighty percent of victims are women and children, and 70 percent are forced into sexual servitude. (Focus on the Family)
Victims of sex trafficking in the United States are often young runaways, fleeing an abusive home situation or foster care, who are befriended by seemingly friendly young men who promise them food and shelter. Congress in 2005 found that between 100,000 to 300,000 American teens are at risk for sex trafficking annually. The average age for girls forced into prostitution is between 11-14.
In other cases, young children are imported into the country by wealthy immigrants who bring with them a form of slavery that is illegal but common in their African countries of origin. Associated Press (AP) journalist Rukmini Callimachi unmasked this practice in a stirring December 2008 piece, which chronicled the story of young Shyima, who at age 10 was brought by a wealthy Egyptian couple to work – up to 20 hours a day – in their Irvine home. A study by the National Human Rights Center at the University of California at Berkley claims about one-third of the 10,000 forced laborers in the United States are domestics in suburban homes.
As legislators gained an appreciation of the scope of human trafficking, bills tackling the issue became “the latest big trend,” according to Ann Morse, a director at the National Conference of State Legislatures. The Clinton administration developed the first policies to combat the problem in 1998, followed by legislation two years later. Since that time, both federal and state legislation has expanded and augmented solutions, and public awareness has grown.
The California Legislature first addressed the issue in 2005 and has incrementally expanded its anti-trafficking laws since then, providing stronger tools for prosecutors to deal with these criminals. Now most states have legislation on the books addressing the issue, and only a handful of states have failed to pass even the most basic anti-trafficking laws. (Polaris Project)
Currently, there are three human trafficking proposals that have been introduced in the California Legislature. ACR 6 (Donnelly, R-Claremont) would recognize January 2011 as the National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month and call on Californians to “educate themselves about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking.” As a resolution, ACR 6 does not have the force of law, but would express the collective opinion of the Legislature. Already, 70 legislators have added their names as co-authors. Two other measures – AB 12 and AB 90 – were authored by Assemblyman Sandre Swanson (D-Oakland), who has authored anti-trafficking laws in the past. AB 12 would increase the fiscal penalty for a person convicted of a major sexual crime when the victim is under age 16. AB 90 would expand the language of certain felony laws to include persuading or forcing a minor into any lewd or lascivious acts, or procuring minors for the preparation of material depicting sexual conduct by a minor, i.e., child pornography.
Human trafficking may seem to be a distant problem, but it is one that is creeping through the backdoors of our own communities. Feeder industries – adult bookstores, strip clubs, and porn shops – that create the demand for commercial sex trade co-exist in our communities. Increased crime and gang activity, child exploitation, and public health problems in our communities can all be linked to human trafficking. Many women and children like Shyima are hidden away in our suburban neighborhoods.
Much of the effort to help the victims escaping the bonds of modern-day slavery has fallen to charities and non-governmental organizations. Many churches and local ministries are involved. Human trafficking victimizes individuals made in the image of God – with inherent value and worth. Commonly, family members and friends of those taken captive say they never thought human trafficking would touch their lives. Prayerfully determine what you and your church can do to help.
For more information:
- Focus on the Family, Social Issues: Sex Trafficking
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Human Trafficking Resources Center
- Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP), U.S. Department of State 2010
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
- Polaris Project
- Courage To Be You (CTBU)
- International Justice Mission
- Shared Hope International
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