It is difficult to comprehend that we still live in a world
where people can be sold like a product for sex. Even in the most advanced
regions of the world, like the United Kingdom for example, sex trafficking is a
problem. In fact, it is such an issue that the Solicitor General for England
spoke out in June of 2013, saying that “progress to stop human trafficking the
U.K. has been implemented, but crime and abuse by traffickers is still actively
taking place within the region. According to the Women’s News Network, he
stated the following:
“The government launched a Human Trafficking survey which
takes a comprehensive approach to preventing traffick activity and maintaining
effective care for victims. Make no mistake; we are constantly reviewing how we
in the government can tackle this evil which threatens the liberties of
millions and is a new form of slavery (Heald).”
Still not convinced? This online human trafficking map
outlines the areas inside the UK where more illegal activity by traffickers is occurring
according to the number of reported victims of exploitation:
 |
| Women's News Network |
According to the British Broadcasting Corporation, the
authorities learned of 946 victims last year, compared to 710 in 2010. The
National Referral Mechanism is the official body that identifies and looks
after those harmed by trafficking in the United Kingdom. Gangs in China,
Vietnam, Nigeria and Eastern Europe are the largest sources of trafficking into
the United Kingdom. Det Insp Kevin Hyland, of London’s Metropolitan Police –
which sees the UK’s highest rates of trafficking – said some victims travelled
to the UK in lorries or containers but the majority arrived lawfully, often
accompanied by their traffickers.”
The fact that most victims think they are coming to a better
life in the United Kingdom means that a majority of the time these cases are
impossible to detect. Claims have been made that the government has somewhat
disregarded human trafficking as an immigration issue, when it is in truth a
much larger problem. But is the government entirely to blame? Sarah Mendelson
makes the point in her article Born Free
that:
“With so much money being made and so many people involved,
it is surprising that the movement to end slavery has not reached the sort of
tipping point one finds with other causes and campaigns; think of the global
movement to fight AIDS or the campaign in the United States to advance the
rights of the LGBT community (Mendelson).”
Why is it that this awful act is still occurring in such
alarming numbers and it is not considered top priority by government and people
alike? What can be done to raise awareness and cause change? Born Free offers a variety of solutions
using the United Nations as an example, who issued the Outcome Document and the
Sustainable Development Goals. These goals took years to establish, and have
since driven the spending of billions of donor dollars. Programming has been
put into place to educate women and children in source areas about the warning
signs of a trafficking scam. Border patrolmen and airline employees are also
being extensively educated. Search and rescue parties have been organized to
track down those in captivity. What it really comes down to, in regards to
long-term, is establishing a human record that is so well kept and can be
assessed from time to time in order to ensure an end to this issue down to the
number. For areas like the United Kingdom these goals may not be far off, but
when it comes to the source countries referenced above, these goals will be
undeniably difficult to achieve.
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