Human Trafficking in France
By: Matt Blaisdell
Human Trafficking
How to Become Aware and to Prevent Human Trafficking
Where Does Human Trafficking Happen?
Victims are usually lured into it with the promise of jobs in more developed countries, only to be forced into harsh conditions when they arrive. The most common uses are sexual slavery (usually as forced prostitutes) or domestic/manual labor. Although the threat of violence is common, victims are rarely physically abducted or kidnapped, contrary to popular belief. When they do arrive in their target country, they are usually kept under control by threats, occasional physical coercion, and their lack of education and unfamiliar surroundings.
Most victims do not fully know their legal rights, and do not fully understand their immigration situation- many think that they are legally at fault and will be prosecuted if they contact authorities (in the USA, where prostitution is illegal, this does often happen), and hence are reluctant to get police assistance. A lot are also from countries where police forces are less reliable than in the west, and hence they are less willing to contact them. Many victims even have access to a phone but are too frightened to call for help. Australian police have previously observed that even when victims are rescued, many are initially unwilling to cooperate with police until they have been reassured that they will be protected."(aspe.hhs.gov)
What Kind of People are Most Common Victims to Human Trafficking
"the victim of human trafficking as innocent young girls from foreign countries who are manipulated, lied to, and often kidnapped and forced into prostitution. However it is not just young international girls who are trafficked. Men, women, children of all ages, U.S. citizens, and legal residents can all fall prey to traffickers, and there are many victims of labor trafficking in addition to sex trafficking.
However, all trafficking victims share common characteristics that make them vulnerable to traffickers. They often come from countries or communities with high rates of crime, poverty, and corruption; lack opportunities for education; lack family support (orphaned, runaway/thrown-away, homeless, family members collaborating with traffickers); and/or have a history of physical and/or sexual abuse."(aspe.hhs.org) This quote shows how/who the people who are victims of Human trafficking are.