Modern-day Slavery in America: Slave and Human Trafficking Reality
There are 27 Million victims of modern day slavery world-wide and up to 17,500 victims trafficked into the United States. Victims live among us and may even be a house cleaner, nanny, restaurant worker, gardener, skilled laborer or factory worker. Other trafficked victims are forced into prostitution.
No Where to Turn
Most US communities do not have dedicated shelters to address the needs particular to trafficked victims. Many shelters offer short term housing and have few spaces available. Freed slaves may feel they need to return to their former lives of bondage because they don’t have anywhere to live. Freedom House provides a shelter and life coaching. Here are examples of the mindsets of a typical victim of human trafficking in the US:
Victims Afraid of Law Enforcement
Many trafficked victims fear law enforcement. In many cases captors have taught victims to fear police as a systematic method of intimidation. Victims may believe their captors for a number of reasons. Perhaps law enforcement in their home countries participated in the capture or sale of the victims. Maybe the victims fear they will be deported or abused if they go to police. Also they may fear the police because they may have been forced to break the law when enslaved.
Some Victims Cannot Return Home
Many victims may not be able to return to their families. Once a person has been forced into prostitution, she may carry a social stigma in her community. Sometimes victims experience feelings of inferiority, loss of control and hopelessness.
