People in the trade
The illegal trade of people for forced labor or sexual exploits is as elaborate as any other criminal act. It involves three main groups of people; the perpetrators, victims, and the helpers. Young girls or children may become subjected to this issue through various ways. Sometimes, perpetrators use tactful schemes by seducing or tricking people into believing they will have a better life, only to kidnap them once the trap is set. Other times, it may even involve the parents giving up their child or children for particular reasons. Whatever the case, once a person falls victim into the horrendous market, they lose all control of freedom. Perpetrators use rape and physical abuse along with taking their victims passports to give them limited options even if they do happen to escape.
Victims often come from the poorer countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Being poor increases the person’s vulnerability to traffickers. They have an incentive for wanting a better life, which traffickers often use to their advantage. Perpetrators view the trade as a market for cheap labor/services and commercial sex acts/exploitation. Christian groups/churches and non-governmental organizations sometimes help buy slaves’ freedom, especially in Sudan. However, critics often argue that this only adds more fire to the fuel because it encourage the economic incentive for the slave trade. The US is a leading helper in fighting slavery/trafficking. The Trafficking victims protection act passed in 2000, mandates the cutoff of any non-humanitarian aid for countries who aren’t putting enough effort to the issue. While some people agree that this act has greatly helped by forcing countries to step up and take responsibility, others feel that countries can easily get around it by creating big but meaningless programs/acts.
Victims often come from the poorer countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Being poor increases the person’s vulnerability to traffickers. They have an incentive for wanting a better life, which traffickers often use to their advantage. Perpetrators view the trade as a market for cheap labor/services and commercial sex acts/exploitation. Christian groups/churches and non-governmental organizations sometimes help buy slaves’ freedom, especially in Sudan. However, critics often argue that this only adds more fire to the fuel because it encourage the economic incentive for the slave trade. The US is a leading helper in fighting slavery/trafficking. The Trafficking victims protection act passed in 2000, mandates the cutoff of any non-humanitarian aid for countries who aren’t putting enough effort to the issue. While some people agree that this act has greatly helped by forcing countries to step up and take responsibility, others feel that countries can easily get around it by creating big but meaningless programs/acts.
Perpetrator
The priest at Tsaduma shrine. He had up to 200 trokosis who have now all been sent away. He still carries out the duties of the shrine, making pofits from women.
The common profile of traffickers are that they are affluent and have some level of power either in military, government, or businessmen. This is due to the fact that they can pay off law enforcement and judiciary. Also it has been found that migrants from the continent, either permanent citizens or immigrants to western countries, have spread human trafficking.
The common profile of traffickers are that they are affluent and have some level of power either in military, government, or businessmen. This is due to the fact that they can pay off law enforcement and judiciary. Also it has been found that migrants from the continent, either permanent citizens or immigrants to western countries, have spread human trafficking.
Victim:
''My father brought me here, but he never explained why. I was told that someone had done something bad in my family, but I was not told what it was.''
Abla Kotor was given to a local priest at the age of 12. The Awlo-Korti shrine where Abla was enslaved as a trokosi slave was liberated but no member of her family came to claim her. Abla is now 13 years old and International Needs has attempted to release her into custody of her family but have yet to find them. She no longer works for the priest at the shrine and is now attending school in the village. Unfortunately she still lives at the shrine and is under control of the priest. Equality Now is in contact with government officials in Ghana as well as International Needs to make sure that Abla Kotor is placed given to someone who will take care of her.
Abla Kotor was given to a local priest at the age of 12. The Awlo-Korti shrine where Abla was enslaved as a trokosi slave was liberated but no member of her family came to claim her. Abla is now 13 years old and International Needs has attempted to release her into custody of her family but have yet to find them. She no longer works for the priest at the shrine and is now attending school in the village. Unfortunately she still lives at the shrine and is under control of the priest. Equality Now is in contact with government officials in Ghana as well as International Needs to make sure that Abla Kotor is placed given to someone who will take care of her.
Helper:
International Needs Ghana has been actively working for legislation in Ghana that would criminalize the trokosi tradition. International Needs Ghana has also helped many of the released women and girls enter school or learn vocational skills that will help them become self-sufficient. Counselling is also provided to help the women who experienced trauma from the trokosi experience.