RUNNING HEAD: HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS FOR TEENS 1

Human Trafficking Awareness for Teens

Brinley Vinson

Blackman High School

HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS FOR TEENS 2

Abstract

This paper aims to inform readers about human trafficking, what the signs are,

how teens become involved, and laws regarding human trafficking in Tennessee. It

acknowledges that trafficking victims are forced or coerced into sexual exploitation, an industry

that is growing at faster rates than the drug and weapon industry. By definition, human

trafficking is the act of trading human beings with means of force or deception for the sole

purpose of exploitation. The signs and laws are explained later in the paper, they will allow the

reader to understand how to look for trafficked victims and what to do. Human trafficking is

acknowledged throughout the research and will give insight on how this issue is affecting

countries around the world. The conclusion reached in this paper was that there is a lack of

knowledge over this subject, but people are making efforts to fight trafficking. Organizations

that fight to prevent trafficking are mentioned throughout the paper, some are locally base where

as others are internationally based.

Keywords: human trafficking, forced, coerced, sexual exploitation, issue

HOW DO TEENS BECOME INVOLVED IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING 3

Human Trafficking Awareness for Teens

What is Human Trafficking?

As mentioned earlier, human trafficking is the act of trading of human beings with means

of force or deception for the sole purpose of exploitation (Meyer 7). Those being trafficked are

forced into doing work that is unwillingly coerced onto them. Although there is vast majority of

human trafficking, the basis of this research focuses on the sex trading industry in the United

States. Earning roughly $150.2 billion a year, human trafficking is growing at a faster rate than

the drug industry (Behnke).

Traffickers in the United States are being supplied with immigrants from countries such

as Mexico and China (shown in figure 1). Immigrants from these countries are tricked into

thinking that once they enter the United States, they will receive a job that will allow them to

support their families back home. Little do the victims know, however, that they will forever be

held in debt to their saviors. They are soon put to work as sex slaves or in factories that

provide poor working conditions. Even though these countries supply the U.S. with sex slaves,

citizens outnumbered noncitizens by far (Meyer 33). This is because those living in poverty

or those living in broken families seek out somebody that is trustworthy and reliable, they want

to feel love that nobody was able to provide before. Figure two provides statistics on the

different ages, genders, and citizenships affected by trafficking in Tennessee.

Organizations such as LastCall4Grace, NightLight (located in Thailand), Rights4Girls,

and UNICEF provide food, clothes, and safe centers to those in need of simple resources in order

to survive. LastCall4Grace, more specifically, focuses on trafficking throughout Rutherford

HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS FOR TEENS 4

County. They help victims get to safe homes and even find families willing to care for children

who have been subjected to such crimes. Programs like Reprieve is how LastCall4Grace rescue

young children (typically five and younger). As shown in table two, many hotlines are available

24/7 in order to collect tips and information regarding trafficking in your area.

Methodology

The data and quotes used in this research paper were all collected from sources on

databases such as Gale Virtual Library found on Blackman High Schools website. These

sources allowed me to read articles and other research papers over human trafficking. I checked

out four books from the Nashville Public Library, only two of the four provided sufficient

information required for research. Websites and PDFs coming from reliable websites

(.org, .edu) were also used to collect information on trafficking. Each source will be used to

explain what human trafficking is, what the signs are, how teens get involved, and laws over

trafficking in Tennessee.

Research Results

Signs of Trafficking

Trafficking signs trick victims into thinking that there is no way out of this situation, that

they are stuck . Most signs show neglect such as bruises and malnourishment. Traffickers use

abuse in order to keep their victims contained. Abuse is used to make the prisoner scared to

leave because of threats they receive from their traffickers (Behnke). If they leave, their families

could potentially be harmed. However, many victims stay because they are addicted to the drugs
HOW DO TEENS BECOME INVOLVED IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING 5

they receive. Victims also seem lost or afraid of their surroundings because once introduced into

the trafficking ring, they are taken to different cities (and even countries) in order to earn money

for their owners. These owners are most commonly referred to as pimps. A pimp a man who

controls prostitutes and arranges clients for them, taking part of their earnings in return. Lack of

identification is also a sign of trafficking, victims that are able to escape are not able to report

crimes done to themselves because they have no form of identification. Even if they were to

escape, victims would most likely be arrested for drugs that were used to suppress them.

Many victims live with their employer, usually in cramped motel rooms that also house

multiple other people. Living conditions are unspeakable and hygiene is not worried about;

because of this, diseases such as staff, pneumonia, AIDS, and HIV are easily spread. Personal

possessions are also scarce in situations similar to these. Victims, most likely, have only a few

outfits to wear during the week, other than that they own nothing. The money they receive is not

even theirs, they do not receive a portion of the earnings they make in a night. (Carter)

Tattoos reveal the names of the victims' pimps. Usually found on the neck or the wrist,

traffickers will tattoo their name on their slaves. This shows possession toward the trafficker, it

also shows other traffickers that that person is their property. Small, inconspicuous tattoos like a

single dot is found on many children that are trafficked in Murfreesboro, this tattoo allows

authorities to identify gangs that are involved in the trafficking ring. (Carter)

How Teens Become Involved in Trafficking.

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Many teens that are involved in trafficking used to or still live in foster care or are

constantly in and out of juvenile systems. Situations like these lead teens to crave unhealthy

attention from people that are willing to give it to them. Pimps tend to gravitate towards those

who constantly run away and are always fighting with their parents. These signs allow pimps to

understand their victims, and manipulate them. Victims are usually given expensive presents to

make them feel like they are loved and will be looked after. Angelyn Bayless writes, They may

crave the attention a pimp can provide. A pimp/trafficker will provide a false sense of safety and

security Teens living in foster care systems that are constantly being placed from one home

to another are more likely to be put into juvenile care, as well as run away from home. Pimps

see this as an opportunity to observe potential victims and provide them with false hopes. Most

teens that are caught in trafficking rings also have a past of childhood abuse. Whether from

parents, siblings, or someone they trust, this abuse leads to depression and the feeling of

unacceptance. Traffickers look at their victims past in order to know how to manipulate their

victims, in order to understand what makes them feel loved and even what makes them feel

abandoned. Victims of childhood abuse tend to be placed in foster care or run away. If they

choose to run away, the first 48 hours make them the most vulnerable (Rudometkin); this is

because they lack basic survival needs in order to function on the streets. Once a pimp notices

this, they make attempts to make their victim feel safe.

Laws Over Trafficking in Tennessee.

HOW DO TEENS BECOME INVOLVED IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING 7

Most recently, Tennessee released a bill in 2016 in order to strengthen and enforce punishment

towards traffickers. This bill requires offenders to register as sex offenders as well as increasing

the penalty for those sexually exploit another person to a class E felony (up to three years in

prison). A suitable caregiver is also hired for the states DCS code section to make sure that

each victim is placed in a safe place (New Law). Figure three shows a bar graph of reported

cases of sexual trafficking in minors in counties within Tennessee.

Chattanooga has a Hotline Act which is required to remain open 24/7 for victims of

trafficking or call-ins for those who suspect trafficking is going on in their community.

Community members are strongly urged to post and know this number in case an incident does

occur (Tennessee). Nashville created a task force in 2014 to combat trafficking in Middle

Tennessee. The task force is comprised of state agencies, legislatures, community leaders,

researchers, law enforcement, survivors, and subject matter experts (State), and encourages

Tennesseans to educate themselves on what types of trafficking there are and the signs that come

with each.

Discussion

Sexual exploitation is a category of human trafficking that is growing each day in the

United States faster than the drug and weapons industry. The growth allows traffickers to gain

significant amounts of money each night depending on how many girls and boys they are selling

to customers each night. This leads police to believe that prostitution is occurring, not

trafficking, so the girls that are being bought are charged with prostitution and drug charges.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS FOR TEENS 8

This lack of knowledge leads to young adults getting unjustly arrested and sent to jail under

charges they have no way of defending themselves of.

It is difficult to pinpoint exactly where victims come from because their identities are

stripped from them, and they have no way of identifying themselves to police if they are able to

escape. Many immigrants are faced with two promises of a better life and better education, but

are held to a never-ending debt that bonds them to their traffickers. Victims are typically too

scared or they are spoken for when talking to people. This also makes it harder for police to

identify victims and even traffickers. Signs like these are common in any country, but this

research focuses on the United States.

Analysis of Research

Throughout the research, it became clear that the lack of education on this topic is an

issue. Whether it is law enforcement or common citizens, it is difficult for people to understand

the difference between trafficking and prostitution. Even signs are difficult to notice among our

fellow peers which means that it is not being reported properly or at all. Education is important

because of the significant growth of trafficking throughout the world that affects young children

to young adults.

Trends

The data studied shows the rise in trafficking throughout the world. Figure two shows

the percentages of gender, age, and citizenship affected by trafficking in Tennessee alone. These

percentages seem to grow each year allowing us to determine that trafficking is becoming

stronger and is becoming harder to enforce laws on. However, the laws that are put in place
HOW DO TEENS BECOME INVOLVED IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING 9

provide an justly sentence but loosely punish traffickers, but it does not seem to be enough

because it carries on even after traffickers are released.

Multiple websites and organizations provide information to inform those who are curious

or those being trafficked about what human trafficking truly is. They educate people based on

facts and testimonies. The trend of lack of education is not as prominent as the trafficking itself,

but it needs to be addressed to communities suffering from trafficking. Once this happens trends

will start to decrease gradually instead of increasing each year.

Connections

Many studies have shown that there is an increase in the trafficking of children in the

United States. Knowing this, we need to educate ourselves on this topic in order to spread

awareness for the growth of trafficking. Law enforcement have to spend time learning the

growing list of signs and how to act upon the signs provided. Many studies agree that trafficking

is becoming easier and because of this communities should come together and create laws that

fight trafficking in their neighborhoods. There are two main issues over trafficking, the lack of

education and the increasing growth in the use of children (mostly teenagers). This increase in

teenagers should be addressed in all states of the United States.

Limitations

It was difficult to find websites that provide statistics and information over the topic. If a

website was found it would either be a .com or .net site, however; .gov and .edu sites were found

and used to the best of their ability. Databases were also difficult to use because of the limited

amount of information put into the database over human trafficking. Many websites contained
HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS FOR TEENS 10

testimonies and very little factual information that would allow research to flow smoothly.

Organizations were also difficult to use because bias took over most of their information on their

websites.

Relevance

Human trafficking, whether it is labor or sexual, has been an issue since the 1800s, and

has been increasing each year with no end in sight. Knowledge on this subject is difficult to

come by because signs are hard to identify, it is also difficult to understand because it is hidden.

The relevance of this research is to provide information on an issue that affects our country and

even our state. Trafficking awareness allows victims to have a sense of hope, it allows them to

know that they are not just shadows on a highway (Behnke 30).

Conclusion

In conclusion, human trafficking is becoming an issue that has become more prominent

in countries around the world, including the United States. It is becoming bigger than the drug

and weapon industries. Sexual exploitation, a form of human trafficking, affects young girls

ages 5-18 and are typically immigrants and young adults just leaving the foster care system.

Trafficking is not just sexual exploitation, but labor trafficking also affects the poor and

immigrant communities. The United States receives most of its trafficking from South America

as well as many Asian countries, but a vast majority of its victims are citizens of the United

States.

Many laws are created to fight off trafficking and task forces are put into place in many

states, but the issue seems to keep on growing although it is fairly easy to follow. Many
HOW DO TEENS BECOME INVOLVED IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING 11

traffickers watch their victims for days and even months before coming into contact. Once this

happens, girls (primarily) are exploited on the internet and sold each night. Victims come from

homes of abuse, foster care systems, and other countries and each are promised a better life

surrounded by people who love them. It is hard for those who do want to escape; if they went to

police they could be charged for having illegal drugs in their system, they could even run the risk

of putting their families in danger.

Organizations and hotlines are always available for those who want to escape or even for

the ones who suspect trafficking. These places are meant to find safe houses, jobs, and even

rehab centers for victims and to get them away from their captors.
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References

Bayless, A., & Roe-Sepowitz, D. (n.d.). Teen SEX trafficking. Retrieved August 4, 2017, from

http://www.bing.com/cr?IG=C3B0B02505854A7BB8D6081ADC7B6720&CID=38745

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fault%2ffiles%2fasuteensextraffickingawareness.pdf&p=DevEx,5055.1

Blue Campaign. (n.d.). Retrieved August 04, 2017, from https://www.dhs.gov/blue-

campaign/identify-victim

Behnke, A.M. (n.d.). Up for Sale: Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery

Carter, C., & Barker, D. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved August 04, 2017, from

http://lastcall4grace.org/

Gwyn, Mark. TENNESSEE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION THE GEOGRAPHY OF

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2013,

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E%7CCT3294260822&it=r&asid=94ef84e33a530634561e774b6708e266. Accessed 23

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Rudometkin, I. (2013, February). The Truth About Runaway Teens - Polly Klaas Foundation.

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https://humantraffickinghotline.org/

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HOW DO TEENS BECOME INVOLVED IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING 15

Tables

Table 1

Worldwide Human Trafficking Statistics

Those Percentages Number of

Trafficked People
Children 27
(overall)
Women 55-60
Men 50-60
Boys 2
Acquaintance -- 500,000-800,000
Given Time -- 20-27 million

(Behnke 8)

Table 2
Name Number/Email Purpose
1-888-373-7888 or text Connects victims Numbers to
National Human HELP to BeFree (233733) with service
Trafficking Hotline providers and is open Contact
24-hours a day all
week. Funded by Regarding
federal government.
www.ice.gov/tips Allows you to submit Trafficking
------------------------ tips to over 400 law
enforcement offices. (Carter)
615-900-1786 or A nonprofit that
LastCall4Grace lastcall4grace@gmail.com allows victims to find
safe home for them
and their children
1-800-TBI-FIND Contacts authorities
The Tennessee regarding trafficking
Bureau of matters in Tennessee
Investigation
1-615-892-1140 Contacts local law
Local Human enforcement in
Trafficking Rutherford County
with information/tips
regarding sexual
exploitation
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Figures

Figure 1

Human Trafficking
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Figure 2

National Human Trafficking Hotline

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Figure 3

Gwyn, Mark