Thursday, February 10, 2011

America’s 21st Century Slave Trade

11 Feb 2011

Global American Series

It’s the fastest growing criminal industry in the world. It’s tied with the illegal arms industry as the second largest criminal activity following the drug trade. It involves over 1 million children worldwide. In the U.S. more than 244,000 children are at risk, as well as women and men.

This Saturday on Global American radio we discuss an 8-month study conducted by the nonpartisan Houston area League of Women Voters on this issue: human trafficking. Human trafficking is totally different from human smuggling. The latter involves illegal immigration and the ‘victim’ goes his or her own way after the ride. Trafficked persons are held in permanent bondage.

Why should Americans care? Because it is happening in their neighborhoods and it could involve their own children, sisters or brothers. It is a crime that hides in plain sight – in cantinas, massage parlors, even construction sites. In one example found during the study a victim was chained to a bed in a basement and forced to have sex with as many as 21 men a day. Often, the police arrest the victim and the trafficker goes free.

Texas is a key hub of human trafficking – one of every five victims travels through Texas on Interstate 10. Houston is the hub of the hub. In 2010 the Houston District Attorney brought exactly one (1) trafficking case to trial!

It’s a complex issue because victims slip through the cracks between local, state and federal agencies. Few police or sheriff’s or constables get training to deal with victims who can be under the age of 14 – and are afraid to go to the police.

The national 24/7 hotline to report potential human trafficking is 888-373-7888.

Check out our program at 9 am Central time on Saturday Feb. 12 on Business 1110 AM, steamed on www.Business1110KTEK.com and podcast 24/7 on www.GlobalAmerican.org (click on ‘Favorite Programs’ and look for the title: America’s 21st Century Slave Trade).

We also discuss solutions.

A copy of the League study can also be found at: www.LWVHouston.org (Click “Publications” then “Facts and Issues”).

Pass it on. The life you save may be someone’s daughter, or your own.

Michael Fjetland

Global American Series

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GlobalAmerican/

Comments welcome:

http://globalamericanvalues.blogspot.com/

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