Human Trafficking Anthropology

Throughout the weeks of this project regarding human trafficking, I have learned many new concepts and terms that lead right into another. One term being, structural injustice- which is defined as The violence and harm that result from the political, economic, cultural, military, and other structures of society that have developed historically and are arranged in ways that enable some people to have vastly more access than others to resources, tools for acquiring resources, and the power to determine the terms of common life. These structures include institutional arrangements, economic theories, international financial institutions and their rules and practices, tax laws, international trade agreements, and international and domestic law (http://lawin.org/structural-injustice/).

Human Trafficking occurs closer to us than we want to imagine. Yet, we never hear about how close to home this awful event is happening.
Just this past year, Ohio rose to the highest level of human trafficking since the state started keeping track. In 2017, there were 202 human trafficking cases reported, increasing by fifty percent from previous years. As citizens, we would like to be informed on actions like this happening around us. It's important to know how we could be on the look-out, or better yet, what can we do to help prevent this from happening over 202 times in a year; not only in Ohio but worldwide.

The state of Ohio is ranked number four for the most trafficked in the United States.

Through this website US News and World Report, it gives us the statistics of how many human trafficking cases were reported in 2017. Along with how the state of Ohio’s case numbers are majorly on the rise. Information was given on how many victims were found and if they were minors or not. It was stated that Ohio has changed its approach to human trafficking also mentioning that drugs are being used to control these victims mainly.

Of the 208 people identified as potential victims of human trafficking, the report found that 18 percent were minors. The report also found all but 10 of the 221 suspected traffickers were involved in the sex trade. The report identified drugs, alcohol and other addictions as risk factors for victims in 100 cases last year. DeWine said the rise in human trafficking cases is connected to the state's opioid addiction crisis. "Drugs are used to control," he said. "Because opioids are so addictive, it makes it easier for a pimp, makes it easier for a human-trafficker to control a victim. "Ohio has changed its approach to human trafficking in recent years by increasing penalties and approaching those forced into prostitution as victims instead of

criminals.
This gives us an introduction as to how the traffickers narrow down their victim to take them captive. It is so important to notice that they target the most vulnerable people they can get too. The drugs just help them lure their pray in. This is what they want, to catch people off guard and who are maybe already going down a wrong path- drugs for instance. Along with the addition of new laws, the state of Ohio is also doing its research on the suspected victims as well as the traffickers and has a well maintained database. Ohio’s Attorney General, is involved with this process and wants to be on top.
From different campaigns, organizations, groups, and much more- UN Chronicle discusses what has been done and is still being done to inform everyone around the world about human trafficking. It is known that not many people are well informed on human trafficking, let alone care about this terrible act. Every level of society should be informed. It important that everyone is educated on this topic and educate them on what we could do to stop this. Laudable efforts in this direction have already been made. In 2000, the United Nations launched the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, which established a victim-centered approach to trafficking. This act has been signed by 177 countries, along with Europe getting involved in 2005. If there is one thing everyone should be educated on about being aware of human trafficking is the three P’s - Prevention. Prosection. Protection.
Another organization that is out there is Thorn.

Thorn is a non-profit organization that Defends children, who have been trafficked along with working to address the sexual exploitation of children. The founder of Thorn is well known actor, Ashton Kutcher. Starting his mission to help children since 2009, Kutcher recently identified 2,000 children who were trafficked in the past six months. Kutcher states that this organization is now “his day job” and has met victims in Russia, India, along with victims that have been trafficked from Mexico, victims from New York and New Jersey and all across the United States.

Another organization that hits right here in Cleveland, is the Renee Jones Empowerment Center. This center was found in 1998 and has been successful ever since. This organization gives those who have been victims of trafficking a chance to regain their self-worth. Through multiple activities and even horse therapy, Rene Jones is open to help all kind of human trafficking victims. The Renee Jones Empowerment Center is the only Northeast Ohio organization that is committed to deliver life coaching and many other

services.
From class, one book we read was ‘The True Cost of Low Prices’, when working on this service learning project I recognized automatic connections. On page seven, we get a brief introduction stating, we occasionally hear about “human trafficking,” especially for sexual purposes, but few people realize how many of the goods and services they consume and are connected to slavery worldwide and in the United States. Along with page sixty, it is stated that “the most common types of slavery are often categorized as human trafficking, sex slavery and forced labor go hand and foot when talking about human trafficking, as the book even states.