By Constance Thum, Senior Contributing Writer
Human trafficking often seems like a remote concept removed from our daily lives, a cautious tale that may terrify us but ultimately has the unrealistic quality of fictional stories. Yet, human trafficking is more common than we expect with 40.3 million victims of human trafficking globally according to H.E.A.T. (Human Exploitation and Trafficking) Watch - that is around five individuals per thousand people. 81% of them are trapped in forced labor. 75% are women and girls. 1 in 4 victims of human trafficking are children. Human trafficking affects people from all different walks of life and through many different ways. To commemorate National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month celebrated since 2010, we hope to raise awareness about different forms of human trafficking and how this modern slavery has impacted the lives of many.
While the modelling industry may appear glamorous and a desirable career aspiration to many, there have been innumerable reports of sexual abuse behind the scenes. A notable example is Jeffrey Epstein’s connection with Jean Luc Brunel, the founder of MC2 Model management, who introduced Epstein to several underage girls who were later abused. Brunel’s other misconducts included the sexual assault of eighteen-year-old Dutch model, Thysia Huisman, in 1991. Clients, hair stylists, clothes designers, bosses and managers of modelling agencies, and other models may partake in the perpetuation of sexual abuse in the modelling industry. Paedophilia is also a major issue in the child modelling industry as adults with dubious intentions may have close contact with vulnerable children under little to no parental supervision.
Indigenous people are another group of individuals who are susceptible to human trafficking due to their marginalised position in society. Despite making up 11% of the American population, Native Americans account for a quarter of trafficked victims. Lack of resources, inadequate law enforcement training, poverty, violence, and fetishes are among the many factors contributing to the trafficking of Native Americans, especially women. These injustices compound multigenerational hardships and loss from the legacy of colonialism, and continue to generate indigenous historical trauma. To protect minorities, trafficking of indigenous people is an issue that must be addressed.
Individuals close to us, such as domestic workers who live and work in residential areas to provide useful housekeeping services and even perform critical care work, may also be victims of human trafficking. Domestic work can be considered as trafficking when force, fraud, or coercion is used by the employer to control the worker. Related to this is physical, sexual, and emotional abuse that may be another issue domestic workers, who invest emotional labour alongside expending physical energy, have to deal with.
Other examples of everyday people with harrowing experiences may be found on social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram where courageous victims share their stories to educate others. More importantly, these incidents feature a recurring theme of power imbalance that creates conditions for domination and exploitation whereby authoritative and powerful figures may prey upon weaker individuals. During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we celebrate individuals, businesses, institutions and organisations that actively champion the rights of victims of human trafficking. Everyone can and should play a part in ending human trafficking. Even a simple repost to spread awareness may create a ripple effect of change.
If you would like to know more about One Bread Foundation and our mission, please subscribe to our website and share this cause with your friends and family. You may also consider donating to One Bread Foundation if you are interested in playing a crucial part in the rehabilitation of sex trafficking victims.
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