Human Trafficking In North Carolina

by Tom Campbell

Sometimes it feels that just one more problem will overwhelm us, but there is one that needs immediate exposure and urgent attention: the growing problem of human trafficking, defined as the illegal trade of humans for purposes of reproductive slavery, sexual exploitation, forced labor or other modern-day forms of slavery. Trafficking has become one of the fastest growing and most lucrative crimes, estimated to generate 32 billion dollars per year in the U.S.

Women, men and children, most often from foreign countries, respond to promises of an education or jobs through the Internet or social media, only to discover they are forced into servitude, unable to leave. If they try to escape they are told and believe either they or their families will be killed. 80 percent of victims are females and 50 percent are children.

Those responding to these offers find themselves in remote labor camps or crowded apartments, living in squalid conditions, forced to work long hours for so little pay they cannot afford to leave. The average age for entry into prostitution is 12-14 for girls and 11-13 for boys. Victims are frequently moved from town to town, constantly threatened, always afraid. The typical “pimp” or trafficker has three or four brothels operating, each generating as much as a million dollars a year. Even more frightening is the growing number of young children being trafficked, sometimes by a parent strung out on drugs, but frequently from a predatory adult who befriends the child, then kidnaps them. Senator Thom Gooslby has introduced legislation that would require those convicted of trafficking children under age 18 to be registered as sex offenders.

Victims can be found working in nail salons, massage parlors, as dishwashers, janitors, in sweatshops, as farm or construction workers, as domestics, in food processing plants, as panhandlers or in magazine crews, even mail order brides. How can you recognize them? Look for people who are reluctant to talk and when they do are nervous to see who might be looking, people who cannot speak freely without having someone else present, have little or no control over their money, owe a large debt they are unable to repay or live or work in places with unusually high security.

North Carolina is ranked as 8^th among states most likely for trafficking because we have a high number of food processing plants and farms, Interstate highways that allow ease of movement, many military installations loaded with potential customers, and a high number of colleges, where victims with big loans can be recruited.

There are several things you can do if you suspect trafficking. Be vigilant and look for the recognizable symptoms, understanding not every suspicious situation guarantees trafficking. If you see suspicious activity it is critically important that you do not try to personally intervene. Traffickers have a lot to lose and will use violence to protect their human investment. Instead, report your suspicions to law enforcement or social service agencies like the NC Coalition Against Human Trafficking, the Polaris Project, NC Stop Human Trafficking and the Wake County Salvation Army, a great statewide resource experienced in intervention and service to victims.

This crime against humankind will continue growing until we stand up and human trafficking becomes too risky and unprofitable.