What is Human Trafficking & Slavery?

Often times, the terms human trafficking and slavery are used interchangeably. Slavery is the condition in which one person completely controls another by using violence that exploits them economically, is unpaid and is unable to leave. Human Trafficking is the mechanism of the modern-day slave trade. Trafficking happens when one is led under force, fraud and coercion into a situation of slavery. It is important to note that human trafficking has a legal connotation and definitions will vary from country to country.

It is estimated that 27 million are enslaved globally. 14-17,500 foreign nationals are trafficked annually in the United States alone. The number of US citizens trafficked within the country are even higher, with an estimated more than 200,000 American children at high risk of becoming sexually exploited each year

Forms of Slavery Conditions:

Pimp Control
Mail Order Brides
Massage Parlor Workers
Prostitution (where Force, Fraud and Coercion are present)
Pornography
Comfort Women
Sweatshop work
Carpet Looms
Stone Breaking
All agricultural industries
Extractive industries (oil, mining etc)
Agriculture
Restaurant Labor

Human Trafficking Happens HERE:
Lakireddi Bali Reddy, a Berkeley landlord and restaurant owner came under investigation when a 17-year old girl died of a carbon monoxide leak in his apartment, located on Durant Age, across from Unit 3. In 2001, he was convicted for trafficking two teenage girls for forced sexual exploitation and cheap restaurant labor. He was sentenced to jail for 8 years.

What makes trafficking victims remain invisible?

Trafficking is unique yet often invisible to the naked eye due to the nature of slavery today. Historically, slavery has meant the total control of one person by another for economic gain. What makes slavery different today is that the price of slaves has plummeted to an ultimate low, ownership of a slave is illegal, and slavery is an equal opportunity economy - meaning it can be anywhere! It also tends to occur in the least regulated industries. In these contexts, slavery is often times invisible, until you adopt the slavery lens. Despite how different it may look, the experience of slavery is how it has always been - a violent and exploitative relationship. 

Slavery occurs in both public and private spaces: tourist cities, large resort communities, strip clubs, massage parlors, casinos, city streets, prostitution zones, factories, restaurants, farms, and even the home. Other factors for the invisibility and obscurity of slavery include:

•    Misidentification of victims (i.e. immigrant status, runaway, prostitution)
•    Well hidden within ethnic/immigrant communities
•    Cultural/language barriers that prevent victims from escaping or seeking help
•    Myths and misconceptions about pimping and sex trafficking that prevail our ideas about the sex industry

There is HOPE!!

Although slavery is complex and numerous, we are in the right conditions to end slavery permanently. Kevin Bales, author of Disposable People and Ending Slavery estimates that the productive output of slaves is about $32 billion, which is so little comparatively to the global economy. We also don't have to fight the fight of our abolitionists in the past who protested the legal system that supported slavery. No one government condones slavery today. 

It is also important not to forget the lessons of our history. In 1865, we set millions of slaves free however, in the context of a troubled economy with little opportunities for jobs, education or participation in civil society. From this lesson, we must recognize that it will take holistic solutions to ending slavery, from addressing causes to sustainable freedom. It is our hope that we can be a part of this movement, and you will too.

Hungry for more information? Check out the following websites or email us for recommendations!

www.humantrafficking.org
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/index.html
http://www.state.gov/g/tip/
http://www.unodc.org/unodc/human-trafficking/latest-news.html
http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/slavery/
www.freetheslaves.net
www.polarisproject.org
www.notforsalecampaign.org
www.ijm.org
www.fairfund.org
www.love146.org
http://www.transitionscambodia.org/transitions_global.php
www.safehs.com

www.morethanwarmth.org
More than Warmth is an educational project to teach students of all ages to learn about world cultures. It fosters understanding, knowledge, and compassion among cultures through nonviolent, nonpolitical, and nonreligious. means.

the list can go on...email us for more!

Direct Service Providers to Human Trafficking Survivors in California

Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach
(415) 567 – 6255
www.geocities.com/apilegaloutreach

Standing Against Globalization and Exploitation
(415) 905 – 5050
www.sagesf.org

Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking
(213) 365 – 1906
www.castla.org

Asian Women’s Shelter
(415) 751 – 7110
3543 18th St. Box #19
San Francisco, CA 94110
www.sfaws.org

Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking Department of Health and Human Services

Trafficking in Persons Information and Referral Hotline:
(888) 373 – 7888

Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition Hotline: (619) 666 – 2757