Human trafficking is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights. It is forcing a person to work against their will. Every year thousands of women, men, and kids enter the world of human trafficking. Abuse of power or position of vulnerability helps a person achieve having control over another person.

WHAT EFFECT DOES HUMAN TRAFFICKING HAVE ON THE VICTIMS?

Human trafficking impacts children's physical and emotional development. Children experience long punishing hours with heavy lifting, inhumane treatment, physical and sexual abuse, and are exposed to harmful chemicals. When a person is being trafficked they may be involved in abuse, confiscation of travel documents, no time off, isolation from the community and all family and friends, threats of harm, and deported as an undocumented immigrant.

Cambodia has a law on suppression of kidnapping, trafficking, & exploitation of humans that criminalizes debt bondage, slavery, and forced child labor. The penalty for trafficking people under the age of 15 is 15-20 years of imprisonment, and the penalty for trafficking people over 15 years old is 10-14 years in prison. Indonesia passed a comprehensive anti-trafficking law that also criminalizes debt bondage, labor and sexual exploitation, and transnational & internal trafficking. The penalties range from 3-15 years of imprisonment. The Philippine Government increased the training and public awareness of trafficking for judicial officials, law enforcement personnel, local government units, and civil society groups. Additionally, they established 4 regional anti-trafficking task forces that include prosecutors, law enforcement agents, and social workers. They also have a 24-hour nationwide anti-trafficking hotline. Other countries attempt to prevent involuntary domestic servitude by banning the immigration of all women who are under a certain age.

1. No torture- Nobody has any right to mistreat us or to torture us
2. No slavery- Nobody has any right to make us a slave. We cannot make anyone our slave.
3. The right to life- We all have the right to life, where we live in freedom and safety.
4. The right to education- Education is a right. Primary school should be free. We should learn about our country and its history.

SURVIVAL STORY: NATALIA-PROMISED AN EDUCATION, FORCED TO WORK

Natalia came to be trafficked because of fraud. She was born and raised in Ghana, where her family struggled to pay school fees. Because Natalia's parents wanted her to get the opportunity to an education, they allowed her to travel to the U.S. Shortly after she arrived, the father she lived with started physically and emotionally abusing her. For the next six years she was forced to do non-stop chores. One day Natalia was severely beaten and she found the opportunity to escape. A neighbor called the police and took her to a local hospital. The nurse then referred to Polaris New Jersey. Natalia was enrolled in school like she had desired. She is now volunteering at a local animal shelter and participating in poetry workshops.

WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING?

We can say a daily prayer to pray for those who are victims of human trafficking. Also, we can educate others about human trafficking and tell them to contact the human trafficking task force (408) 537-1999 if they see a victim. Instead of using non slave-free drinks, we can consume fair trade coffee and tea. To help serve victims, we can volunteer at catholic charities agencies.