human trafficking

Slavery. It’s an abomination. And it goes without saying that survivors of modern-day slavery — human trafficking — should be able to access all of the services they need to protect their health and rebuild their lives. That is, unless you’re talking to the powerful political lobbyist, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

Trafficking has become synonymous with “trafficking into sex work,” though this is not the predominant form of human trafficking, which includes a range of racial, economic, and sexual violence and slavery and not just against women. 

We need to explicitly recognize the connections between trafficking, poverty, migration, gender, racism and racial discrimination to adequately battle and destroy human trafficking in the U.S.

Trafficking in persons is often referred to as "modern-day slavery." Historical grounding confirms that the reference to slavery, while not exactly on point, is relevant.

It seems that stories of young girls victimized by prostitution, are selected to overcome an enormous barrier - that we are not disposed to believe or care for people who engage in sex work, so editing to find the "perfect victim" is necessary.

The Department of State's 10th Annual Trafficking In Person's Report ranks countries on progress against human trafficking. How are Caribbean nations responding? How does this report help to create change and build community?