Human Trafficking Essay -- Legal Issues, Human Rights

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 was created to prevent human trafficking, to protect the victims of human trafficking, and to prosecute traffickers. Although it was well crafted, the TVPA is ineffective in achieving its purpose. Since its enactment, only a small percentage of victims have received help, and the prevalence of human trafficking in the U.S. has not decreased. In fact, human trafficking may be on the rise in Arkansas. Therefore, although amending the TVPA would make more people eligible for social services, not amending the TVPA would be an act of support towards organized crime, the spread of diseases like AIDS and TB, and modern slavery. Before the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 was enacted, traffickers were only punished for â€Å"the components of the offense† (Lack 156). The TVPA aimed to prevent human trafficking by funding programs that would educate the public about this issue. In order to protect the victims, the law established the T-visa program. This allows victims â€Å"to become temporary residents of the U.S.† (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services 1). Victims that have been certified ¬Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ ¬those who have proved that they are victims of human trafficking, assisted in the prosecution of their traffickers, and received their T-visas—are eligible for social services. The TVPA also made harsher punishments for human traffickers. For example, traffickers who attempted to murder, kidnap, or sexually abuse their victims could be sent to prison for life (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services 2). Sexual exploitation of children under 14 could also result in a life sentence. In addition, the TVPA â€Å"broadened the definition of coercion,† by including both physical and psychological coercion (La... ...activities† (FBI 1). This shows that Arkansas cannot be overlooked when trying to prevent human trafficking. Although it is not highly prevalent, it is still possible that human trafficking has infiltrated Arkansas. Maybe traffickers are just rarely brought to light here. Local authorities may not be as familiar with this issue because it has not been a problem in the past. The products of human trafficking cannot be ignored. Human rights are being violated, diseases are being transmitted, and the current laws are ineffective in preventing human trafficking and protecting its victims. Although there are many victims now, it may increase exponentially in the future, creating bigger problems. Before the number of victims increase and before more people start to lose faith in the U.S. government, it is imminent that the Trafficking Victims Protection Act be amended.