ROLE OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING

SOCIAL workers are anticipated to take a lead in efforts to reduce the number of human trafficking victims and help keep young people from falling prey to traffickers.

It is public opinion that by human trafficking one means women and girls because history has shown that disputes of gender and poverty interlink with women and children’s welfare.

The National Association of Social Workers’ policy statement on the issue was last updated in 2008 and human trafficking has grown since then to infiltrate smaller countries like Swaziland. Technology use has also grown in the trade, making human trafficking a US$150 billion enterprise worldwide, (NASW, 2010).

This global problem affects every nation in the world, with the most vulnerable members of society being targeted as victims of trafficking. Many have been made vulnerable by poverty and conflict, but no matter the reason, when individuals are trafficked, social workers and other social service providers play a critical role in raising awareness and aiding survivors.

Most trafficked individuals will not readily volunteer information about their ‘status’ because of the fear and abuse they have suffered at the hands of their traffickers.

They may also be reluctant to come forward with information from despair, discouragement and a sense that there are no viable options to escape their state of affairs. Even if compelled, they may not identify themselves as people held in bondage for fear of retribution to themselves or family members.

Nonetheless; there are indicators that often point to a person held in a suppression condition. Trafficked individuals may be treated as disposable possessions without much attention given to their mental or physical health.

Accordingly, some of the health problems that may be evident in a victim include malnutrition, dehydration or poor personal hygiene; sexually transmitted diseases; signs of rape or sexual abuse; bruising, broken bones, or other signs of untreated medical problems; critical illnesses including diabetes, cancer or heart disease; and post-traumatic stress or psychological disorders.

In addition to some of the obvious physical and mental indicators of trafficking, there are other signs that an individual is being controlled by someone else. Red flags should go up for neighbours, public and friends who notice that an individual does not hold his/her own identity or travel documents; suffers from verbal or psychological abuse designed to intimidate, degrade and frighten the individual; has a trafficker or pimp who controls all the money, the person will have very little or no pocket money; and is extremely nervous, especially if their ‘translator’ is present during a conversation. Another indicator that a person may be held against their will is if the individual is a foreigner, unable to speak the language in the country where they reside or work. There is no set formula to determine whether or not a person has been trafficked.

Social workers should work with the legal system to help victims of human trafficking. A human trafficking intervention initiative that works to break the cycle of exploitation and arrest is recommended. Instead of jail, victims can be offered a social services alternative? The initiative represents a significant shift in the way the justice system and communities view social ills like prostitution. This initiative promotes clients to agree to a number of counselling sessions, not to get arrested for a certain amount of time, and to show up in court on assigned dates. My observation is that serving this target population is a subtle balance because individuals can feel confined in their situation and numerous have an emotional bond to their pimps. Furthermore, there is a recognition of the fact that clients, many if not all of them, are engaging in prostitution in order to survive, to provide for their basic needs.

We want parents and neighbours to pay attention; if you see something, say something and do something. It is common for young people who have a history of sexual abuse to run away from caretakers or are not accepted in their families after disclosing their sexual orientation and are at the greatest risk. These are youth who are muddled about life and what it means to have someone love them I deduce.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: