US Includes Itself in Human Trafficking Report for First Time

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the release of the 10th annual Trafficking in Persons Report, the world’s most comprehensive report on government efforts to combat human trafficking.

For the first time, the U.S. is being included in the report. Clinton writes, “The United States takes its first-ever ranking not as a reprieve but as a responsibility to strengthen global efforts against modern slavery, including those within America. This human rights abuse is universal, and no one should claim immunity from its reach or from the responsibility to confront it.”

The U.S. is placed as a “Tier-1″ country, meaning the government complies with minimum standards for eliminating trafficking. Still, the report cites it as a “source, transit and destination country” for the industry.

Countries who have not complied to international standards, listed as “Tier-3″ countries, include Papua New Guinea, Kuwait, Sudan, Cuba, Mauritania, the DRC, Saudi Arabia, Eritrea and Zimbabwe.

Some notable statistics of the report include:

12.3 million adults and children are in forced labor, bonded labor, and forced prostitution around the world, with 56 percent of these victims being women and girls
The industry generates $32 billion annually.
49,105 victims have been identified worldwide, a 59 percent increase since 2008.
In 2009 there were 4,166 successful trafficking prosecutions, a 40 percent increase from the previous year.
There are 62 countries that have yet to convict a trafficker under laws in compliance with the Palermo Protocol.
There are 104 countries without laws, policies, or regulations to prevent victims’ deportation.

Read more: Hillary Clinton, human rights, human trafficking, us

state.gov

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Past Member .

8:42AM PDT on Jun 25, 2010

Valerie G, Porn has nothing to do with human trafficking. When people make porn, they have to have all the performers IDs and make copies. They have to keep this information forever. It is 100% legal and regulated. The sacks of crap that traffic people usually do not put their face on film. It makes it easier for them to be caught. I have been watching porn on a regular basis for more than ten years and I have never wanted to molest a child or buy a person. I spend most of my day as a social worker dealing with these problems and trying to fix them.

June 25
send a green star

valerie g.

8:02AM PDT on Jun 25, 2010

at least it is coming into the light of day now. don't minimize the effect of pornography on our culture, and these hideous sub-cultures. I am no prude, I am all for sex, ideally in a loving and safe environment. but we have separated it from our lives and made it something dirty and hidden, which is why we have this dirty and hidden business of human trafficking and slavery. How do you approach your own sex life? Your sex partners? Everything starts at home. I do think the pornographic trade is a low one and supporting it, via mags or cable, is part of the problem which extends to the hideous practices of slavery and trafficking. connect the dots....and speak up! pornography is not sex, it is perverted "product".

Heather W.

8:17AM PDT on Jun 21, 2010

It saddens me that the world has yet to realize how horrible this problem is, and how pervasive.

June 21
send a green star

Lucy W.

4:41PM PDT on Jun 20, 2010

This article was illuminating indeed. I am horrified that human trafficking is so widespread throughout the world and that over 12 million people are being enslaved. I'm glad to see the U.S. is getting involved to a greater extent. I only hope we can put a stop to this terrible practice!

June 20
send a green star

Petra L.

1:23AM PDT on Jun 20, 2010

Thanks for posting this. Human trafficking needs to stop. Please further stop child sex abuse by signing the April's Law Petitions.

The federal petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/worldwide-petition-for-aprils-law-in-the-us

The State petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/aprils-law-wisconsin

Thank you!

Kelly H.

9:00PM PDT on Jun 19, 2010

thanks for reporting this

June 19
send a green star

Joseph A.

2:21PM PDT on Jun 19, 2010

how you can look your birth certificate up on the stock market
you just need the number on the right hand side in red lettering

so how much are you worth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlOUXWQP-KM&playnext_from=TL&videos=FCTf3MiNabQ