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The proverb, “no trading, no killing,” indicates that an individual’s suffering comes from the needs and greed of others. What happens if the illegal trading happens to humans? In February 2017, the American administration reasserted its commitment to address human trafficking or the “employment, harboring, transportation, provision, or acquisition of any labor or service by violence, fraudulence, or suppression that facilitates submission to unwilling servitude, peonage, debt bondage, and slavery” (Rothman et al., 2017, p. 1046). In such cases, victims lose their freedoms through violence and fraudulence. Unfortunately, this historical problem is becoming more serious.
Historical Issues on Human Trafficking
Historical textbooks refer to slavery, or human trafficking, as “Black cargoes.” Slavery was a commonplace problem in history, specifically in Africa (Mannix, 1962; Silva, 2016). Slavery and coercive labor existed in many kingdoms and communities across Africa for thousands of years, setting the stage for the Arab and Atlantic slave trade. At that time, there was no accurate data to support slavery or its associated political and economic systems. The Atlantic slave trade involved the transportation of African people. From the 16th to 19th centuries, many people were sent from Africa to America through a triangular trade route and middle passage (Routledge, 2017; Shea 2016). Regrettably, the tragedy of this initial form of human trafficking continues today.
Human suffering continues in the modern age. The effects of the Iraq war (2003-2011) have not faded. In fact, the rise of the Islamic terrorist organization, Islamic State (IS), has caused global panic. Protests of the Syrian War have disrupted international order since March 2011. Moreover, the new era of civil wars has produced a significant number of refugees (people who are compelled to cross national borders and are unable to return to their homeland), which has created a refugee crisis throughout Europe. In addition, media in countries like France and Germany have shown a strong pessimism for many of these displaced (Ignatieff et al., 2016; Lischer, 2015; Wirth, 2016).
Smuggling refers to the illegal transportation or carrying of imported and exported gold, silver, foreign currency, goods, and people. Although not an emerging phenomenon, it has attracted increased international attention. Greece, due to its geographical location and political status, is one example of a location with increased attention (Carrera & Guild, 2016; Sanchez, 2017).
Events related to the smuggling of migrants are causing changes across the globe. These are manifested in migrations from east to west and south to north. There is no denying that the United States is a country known for immigration, particularly along its border with Mexico. Although illegal immigration occurs, it is prohibited by American law. Interestingly, most of the illegal immigrants can acquire U.S. citizenship (Buenavista, 2016; Mayda & Peri, 2017; Payan, 2016; Terrio, 2015).
The sex industry is also a controversial (and often restricted) phenomenon. In many countries, sex trade leads to prostitution or forced prostitution. An in-depth survey of relevant practitioners reveals that these women are often involved in more issues, including trafficking, domestic violence, family discord, social unrest, and social justice (Schaffner et al., 2016; Webb, 2017). Conversely, the adult video industry in Japan may bring Spring to those adults in need (Wong, 2017; Zhang, 2017).