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Human Trafficking In Texas

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Human trafficking is the illegal act of using others for the purpose of forced labor or sexual exploitation. Throughout the years, it has become an increasing problem that society and authority figures overlook. Most Americans believe human trafficking, especially sex trafficking, happens only in underdeveloped and developing countries that exist in Asia or Africa, but the truth is that it can happen anywhere and to anyone. In Texas, human trafficking is condoned and children are placed in harmful conditions because people view sex-based offenses as victimless crimes.
Most Americans view sex trafficking as a foreign, third world problem because they believe America is safe and sheltered from it. But the reality is that it happens in the United States too, especially in large populated states such as Texas. Since Texas has countless busy forms of transportation available, it “has been considered a top 3 major hub state for …show more content…
“‘Human Trafficking’ is the modern term for forcing and transporting people into slavery—a crime as old as civilization…trafficking is a process that brings people into slavery” (Bales, “Human Trafficking”). Children in the sex industry are seen as mere toys that can be bought and disposed of when felt the need to. Traffickers lure teens and children with false pretenses of a safe haven but the reality is “a dizzying world of drugs, alcohol and repeated sex acts with an unknown number of men [and women],” (Maxwell 1). Under the haze of drugs and alcohol, children become unable to fight back or escape their oppressors. They are also more susceptible to trauma, which could lead to mental disorders such as Stockholm syndrome. This disorder causes the victims to develop feelings of trust and affection for their oppressors, thus further entangling them in the sex

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