Investigating Human Trafficking - Essay Example

3). The profit that felons get from it elevates its status as a lucrative business. This makes it harder for authorities and concerned citizens to solve the issue. 2. Describe how society defines the social issue. Clearly, most if not all countries treat human trafficking as seriously offensive, thus illegal. It is an issue that disproportionately violates self-worth (Cochintu, Tutunaru, Stoicu, & Valea, 2011). Individuals perceive that it is inhumane to detain a person against her will. A number of legislations have been passed to address this issue.

For instance, in the United States, “The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-386), the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003 (H.R. 2620), the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (H.R. 972), and the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (H.R. 7311) provide the tools to combat trafficking in persons both worldwide and domestically” (U.S. Department of State, 2012). The Acts aim to enhance the country’s influence and efforts in taking necessary efforts to combat human trafficking.

Many nations have also collaborated against offenders of human rights. The United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT) views human trafficking as an international crisis that needs to be actively addressed (2012). UN has sponsored the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons especially Women and Children. As of now, there are 140 parties who have supported this advocacy. The movement seeks to decrease the number of individuals being abused. The mass media has also played a central role in informing people regarding this issue.

Several cases have been uncovered because of news reports. Advocates have also portrayed their campaigns both in video and in print. Homes have been educated concerning reporting and preventing abuse through television ads and documentaries. 3. Describe the categories or who are affected by the social issue. Understandably, the populations who are mainly affected by this issue are the victims. The UN (2012) estimates that 2.5 million, mainly women and children, are being trafficked. Most of them are 18 to 24 years old.

Ninety five percent of them are physically or sexually abused. These victims have suffered psychological turmoil besides physical exploitations. The trauma that mars a person handicaps him to fully interact with the society. Besides the victims, their relatives and friends have gone through negative impacts as well. It is indeed harrowing to be relentlessly worried for a loved one. However, a number of victims have been bought from their family members. In fact, there are some girls who are forced into sexual slavery by their own fathers.

This kind of practice further degrades the heart of every community. Moreover, 161 countries are involved as a source, destination, or area of transport (UN, 2012). Human trafficking affects every continent from third world countries to first world nations. Government sectors in various regions have been alerted by the social impacts of this issue. Law enforcement groups of different organizations have been taking measures to stop the traffickers. More and more concerned citizens have taken active stands against this social