A number of young girls have been missing in Jamaica and globally. Some Jamaicans are thinking “Is this human trafficking?” The United Nations (UN) gives a general definition of human trafficking as “the acquisition of people by improper means such as force, fraud or deception with the aim of exploiting them” (UNODC, 2015).
Most of the sexually demoralized victims are women and children (i.e., girls and boys). Victims vary in age, background, socioeconomic status, level of education. Human trafficking normally begins in a developing country and victims are transported to more developed countries. Victims are frequently trafficked within their country of origin and across international borders.
Sex trafficking is a multifaceted problem because the victims experience physical and psychological maltreatment. Physical violence is used to dominate and control victims. Some of the strategies involve: starvation, beatings, and rape. Common injuries consist of broken bones, concussions, burns, brain injury, and gynecologic health problems. The psychological impact of ill-treatment can be more severe than the physical violence (WHO, 2012). Those who are rescued will display mental illnesses such as: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, Panic disorder, Suicidal ideation, and Substance dependence.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2015). What is human trafficking? Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/what-is-humantrafficking.html#What_is_Human_Trafficking.
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