In each of his novels, Davis MacDonald highlights a social issue that has a significant impact on our world. In Cabo, The Judge stumbles into a murder case while on vacation that ultimately leads to a discovery of human trafficking in Mexico.
One of the most pressing human-rights issues of our times, human trafficking crimes occur when a trafficker uses force, fraud or coercion to control a victim or engage them in slave-like labor or services against their will. No demographic is immune to the outrageous manipulation of traffickers. Studies show runaway and homeless youth, victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and those affected by social discrimination are most vulnerable and thus frequently targeted. Exploiters leverage the low risk, high profitability act of buying and selling humans for personal gain through involuntary labor and commercial sex.
The Numbers Behind Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is a $150 billion industry worldwide, with limitless scaling potential. 68% of victims are adults, and a staggering 86% are female — most human trafficking crimes reported are sexual in nature. Often these sexual crimes masquerade as “legitimate” businesses, such as massage parlors, spas, and escort services. Often, those held imprisoned suffer immeasurable physical and emotional consequences at the hands of their captors, reaching far beyond the torturous everyday sex labor demands.
The Treatment of Victims
Traffickers primarily lure forced labor victims into agricultural, industrial and domestic work with false promises of a lucrative job and financial stability. They are then stripped of their personal identification documents & money and coerced into roles through physical violence and threats against beloved family members. Those involved suffer silently in unconscionable living conditions, deprived of sleep and food, while receiving little to no monetary compensation.
What You Can Do about Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is reportedly the third largest international crime industry. It trails just behind the buying and selling of illegal drugs and the black-market trade of smuggled firearms. To help end the vicious cycle of modern-day slavery, communities and individuals should consider taking the following actions:
- Report suspicious behavior to the National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888
- Refuse to participate in the commercial sex industry, including paying for prostitution and pornography
- Buy and sell fair trade and survivor-made goods
- Hold brands accountable for fair labor practices
It ought to concern every person, because it is a debasement of our common humanity. It ought to concern every community, because it tears at our social fabric. It ought to concern every business, because it distorts markets. It ought to concern every nation, because it endangers public health and fuels violence and organized crime. I’m talking about the injustice, the outrage, of human trafficking, which must be called by its true name – – modern slavery.
Leave A Comment