National Association of Social Workers

Human Trafficking: Snaring the Spirit

Shame, Helplessness Are Effects of 'Modern-Day Slavery'

Nearly 900,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year.

By Sheryl Fred, News Staff

Illustration: John Michael Yanson

Lured by promises of lucrative waitressing and child-care jobs in Florida, more than two-dozen Mexican women and girls agreed to be smuggled into the United States by the Cadena family in 1996 and 1997.

Instead of getting the gainful employment and $400 per week they'd been promised, the women were raped, beaten and then forced to have sex with 25 to 30 men per day as part of a prostitution ring that ultimately earned the Cadenas millions of dollars.

The story of the Cadenas' victims, which came to light after federal agents coordinated a raid of six of Florida's brothels in 1997, is one of the most high-profile examples of human trafficking in the country. Often referred to as modern-day slavery, human trafficking is defined by U.S. law as the "recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision or obtaining of a person" for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor.

The U.S. government estimates that between 800,000 and 900,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year. And the problem is only getting worse: Next to the drug trade, human trafficking is now tied with illegal arms dealing as the second-largest criminal industry in the world. Of those trafficked annually worldwide, between 18,000 and 20,000 are brought to the United States.

NASW's policy statements on human rights, refugees, child welfare and cultural competence all speak to the issue of human trafficking.

"We are emphatically opposed to human trafficking, and we recognize that this is a topic that needs further attention," said Luisa Lopez, NASW's affirmative action officer and manager of the association's Human Rights and International Affairs Department.

Congress passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in 2000. The legislation, which entitles trafficked persons to the same social services and benefits as those with refugee status — including resettlement services, food stamps, refugee medical assistance and foster care — has sparked interest among social workers and provided more funding and opportunities to get involved.

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From September 2004 NASW News. © 2004 National Association of Social Workers. All Rights Reserved. NASW News articles may be copied for personal use, but proper notice of copyright and credit to the NASW News must appear on all copies made. This permission does not apply to reproduction for advertising, promotion, resale, or other commercial purposes.