ISU Reflection Presentation: Human Trafficking

What was the most important/interesting thing that you learned during the presentations of your peer, and how does this change your perspective on the world.

In our World Issues class the presentation thus far that has impacted me the most is “Human Trafficking” presented by Robin. Although I am quite familiar with the issue of human trafficking in developing worlds, Robin’s presentation brought to my attention some dreadful specifics I was not aware of. The United Nations highlights human trafficking as one of its key concerns. In a study of 155 countries it found that sexual exploitation is the most common form of human trafficking, with 79% of victims used for the sex trade; 18% are used for forced labour. Human trafficking is a crime against humanity and violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights set by the United Nations. It involves the act of recruiting, transporting, harbouring or receiving a person through a use of force, coercion or other means, for the purpose of exploiting them. Every year, thousands of men, women and children fall into the hands of traffickers, in their own countries and abroad. Trafficking often occurs from less developed countries where people are rendered vulnerable to trafficking by virtue of poverty, conflict or other conditions. Most trafficking is national or regional, but there are also notable cases of long distance trafficking. Europe and Asia are the most prominent for victims from the widest range of destinations.

Although human trafficking is mainly seen in the third world we cannot forget this problem also occurs at home. With forthcoming federal laws targeting human trafficking, analysts say youth need to know criminals prey on young adults to feed prostitution rings in Canada's big cities. The RCMP website notes that youth, runaways, and new immigrants as well as anyone who is economically disadvantaged could be a potential victim. After viewing this presentation my perspective on the World remains the same, however I feel much more informed and inspired.

In addition, Robin’s presentation was quite motivating by creating personal connections from statements of victims and successfully captured the audience’s attention through her introduction. However, although Robin was self assured she needed to maintain eye contact audience and an enthusiastic tone instead of reading word for word from a script. Robin was able to initiate a heated debate on whether prostitution should be legal in Canada and whether legalizing it will protect the victims of trafficking or make them more vulnerable.