The News Herald: Giving a voice to the voiceless

I would like you to take a moment and think about what comes to mind when you hear the word “slavery”. I imagine that this word generates many different images. Some may depict the domestic servitude of the 1930s and ‘40s and others may resemble the recent film, “12 Years A Slave”. This film portrays events that took place in the mid-1800s near the end of the transatlantic slave trade. The thousands of men, women and children that were bought, sold and used at the hands of another are a haunting reality of slavery during this time.

Now, let’s step out of the 1800s and think about what comes to mind when you hear “modern day slavery”. This is a fairly new term that redefines an age-old issue. The exploitation of innocent human beings in the 19th and 20th centuries is a historic event as well as a present reality.

In fact, there are more slaves present today than there were during four centuries of the transatlantic slave trade. This growing phenomenon is also known as human trafficking. Victims are enslaved for sexual servitude and forced labor, and they are generally coerced into it through force, fraud or fear. Despite the fact that human trafficking is a federal crime in the US, the number of victims continues to rise.

Recent reports estimate that there are currently 27 million victims of human trafficking worldwide. Of those 27 million, 75 percent are female and 2 million are children who are being sexually exploited.

Within the United States, 100,000 to 300,000 children are prostituted against their will. However, an additional 244,000 minors are estimated to be at-risk for sexual exploitation. Cases of human trafficking have been reported in every state and are more common in border states such as Michigan.

In July 2013, the FBI conducted a nationwide sweep titled “Operation Cross Country,” rescuing 10 children in Michigan alone. This number was second only to San Francisco, where 12 children were discovered. Victims were found in private homes throughout Romulus, Madison Heights, Farmington Hills, Southfield and Detroit.

It is devastating to see such staggering numbers, especially when so many of the victims are children, some as young as 8 years old. These are kids that should only be worried about when they can go play outside now that spring has finally arrived in Downriver Detroit.

What is more heartbreaking, many children do not have safe, permanent homes in which to live. Child welfare agencies across the country are responsible for the safety of these children, especially those who are at risk. They are some of the first agencies to encounter victims and potential victims of human trafficking. These children comprise a portion of the CSEC population — commercial sexual exploitation children. However, agencies are unequipped to identify these children and offer them resources or safe housing.

House Resolution 1732 is a bill titled “Strengthening the Child Welfare Response to Human Trafficking Act.” It is one of the leading anti-human trafficking bills currently being considered at the federal level. HR 1732 was introduced by U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) and calls for the reform of state child welfare agencies.

HR 1732 will use existing federal funds to amend the efforts used to address exploited children in their care. Data collection on human trafficking will be required, as well as published material detailing the best practices for helping the CSEC population. Child welfare agencies will be trained on these practices, and more effective collaboration methods between state agencies also will be established. Ultimately, this bill aims to impact the pervasive issue of human trafficking among a particularly vulnerable population and prevent further exploitation of children across our country.

How can you get involved?

Supporters of HR 1732 are calling for your help. The success of this bill is significantly influenced by the number of co-sponsors it obtains. You have the power to call your local congressman or -woman and advocate on behalf of the resolution to gain their support and co-sponsorship. Pass on this information to your friends and family and encourage them to join the fight against modern-day slavery. Together, we can spread awareness of this global issue and work to protect our most vulnerable population against the horrors of human trafficking. These efforts are important steps to abolishing it. Join your fellow citizens to speak out for those who cannot. Every voice counts.

Bristol Bear is a graduate student at the University of Southern California School of Social Work. She grew up in Allen Park.