Background:
When we discuss human trafficking in the United States, individuals typically get caught up in a misunderstanding that sex must always be involved in trafficking cases. Labor trafficking is forced labor that happens even in the United States. Many cases in the US involve immigrants in the agricultural and factory industries. Although reported lower than sex trafficking cases in the United States, some experts believe labor trafficking to be a larger problem than sex trafficking worldwide. Either way, we know it’s happening. The more we know, the more we can help.
Action: Identify Your Slavery Footprint
Action: Imagine This
Domestic Servitude: Your family cannot afford education for you, a 13-year-old girl, so you welcome the opportunity to receive an education when another family offers you a place to stay and work for them in exchange for the education. However, shortly after arriving, you’re faced with abuse and constant fear. You realize that education was never an option. For the next six years, you’re forced to clean the house, wash clothes, cook, and care for the children. You never receive payment and you are not allowed to enroll in school as the family had promised, go outside, or even use the phone. Read Natalia’s full story here.
Debt Bondage: You’re widowed and you’re eager to support your family so you take up sewing classes. Your teacher introduces you to a job recruiter offering you an exciting opportunity to go to the US to make money sewing there. Your plan is to work and save money so your family is able to join you in the US soon. But you cannot save money. In fact, your recruiter is now your trafficker and says you owe her $3,000 for bringing you to the US and you must work to pay it back. You’re forced to work 18 hours a day for little to no pay and you live and sleep in the factory because you cannot leave. You wonder how you’ll ever pay the $3000. Read Flor’s full story here.
Action: Spread Awareness & Gather Advocates
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