Understanding human trafficking

Human trafficking is the third most lucrative illegal industry in the world. The UN estimates up to 4 million people are trafficked annually, in complete and direct violation of their human rights. They are treated like commodities, exploited and often abused, kept in inhumane living conditions.

To learn more about human trafficking and what can be done in response, Mariel and I recently attended two events in Ottawa.

On Tuesday night, we went to the End Slavery event, organized in recognition of the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery by PACT-Ottawa (Persons against the Crime of Trafficking in Humans). They noted that Canada has one of the worst records in the world for dealing with trafficking. In fact, we even depend on the US for an accurate picture of trafficking in Canada. Unfortunately, much of the problem seems to stem from ignorance and apathy.

Eileen Kerwin Jones gave a presentation on “Contemporary Slavery: A Global View.” She noted that there are many kinds of slaves in different industries: brickmaking, agriculture, textiles, domestic services, quarries, jewelry, sexual exploitation and many more. The number one thing we can do to combat slavery, she argued, is to become “economically literate.” We need to know where everything that we buy and/or rely on comes from and how it is created or developed. Our desire for low prices at any cost contributes to an economic system where slavery pays.

Root causes of trafficking include poverty and corruption. Half of the world population lives on $2 a day, while one-fifth lives on less than $1. Such poverty makes people extremely vulnerable to corrupt people who are willing to ignore human rights for the sake of profit.

Trafficking and slavery doesn’t just happen across borders; within Canada, Aboriginal women are particularly vulnerable to economic and sexual exploitation. In some Canadian cities, up to 90% of street-involved, sexually exploited youth are Aboriginal.

Erin Wolski of the Native Women’s Association of Canada offered insights into the “Root Causes Behind Aboriginal Women’s Vulnerability.” She suggested that two key social determinants of health lie behind the situation many Aboriginal women confront today: social exclusion and gender. Many different facets of discrimination contribute to this social reality, including political discrimination, racism and gender discrimination. The way forward must include research and tracking, advocacy, partnering with media and other industries, and reporting.

Last week, Mariel and I had the opportunity to hear an example of how trafficking is being combated in Europe. Senator Mobina Jaffer, the Zonta Club of Ottawa and PACT-Ottawa sponsored a roundtable with Patsy Sörenson of Belgium. Sörenson is now a member of the European Commission Committee of Experts on Human Trafficking, but she shared in detail the story of how she became involved in combating trafficking simply by developing relationships with women who worked around her home in the sex trade. She became so upset at what she learned and experienced that she got into politics to fight trafficking and exploitation.

Sörenson spoke of the links between poverty and trafficking. When people are desperate, they are susceptible to becoming highly controlled, she said. Even those who are well educated don’t always have access to jobs. When there are no jobs, people have no options.

The response needs to address both victim protection and fighting trafficking. Victims need shelters, health care and supports, and an opportunity to safely rebuild their lives. The perpetrators deserve justice for crimes committed and the violations of human rights. Recruitment systems need to be targeted, and education campaigns conducted. In order to address the problem, the Belgians needed to bring everyone working on the problem just to define and understand all the issues involved.

Ultimately, said Sörenson, you need people and organizations offering shelters and a good team of health care practitioners, but you also need governments to get involved. Governments can change structures that enable trafficking, impose penalties, and fund efforts to help victims.