Human Trafficking: The need for nursing advocacy by Barbara Glickstein.
Neil A Onyeukpere According to Barbara Glickstein, “human trafficking is a serious crime and [global] human right tragedy” (Manson et al, 2012, p.735). Approximately 12.3 million are projected to be victims, whereas their perpetrators harvest over $32 billion as profit according to International Labor Organization Statistics (ILO, 2009). Glickstein believes that nurses have a part to play in the effort to this human tragedy through human trafficking awareness campaign, in addition to and teaching skills for detecting victims of human trafficking. Again, the issue of human trafficking is universal including the United States. Countless victims are transported into the country as caretakers, housekeepers, janitors, and restaurant workers only to be transformed into sex commodities slaves in numerous cases. The myth about human trafficking poses a challenging for societies to recognize the severity of the problem. One of such myths is the belief that it is only an international problem, motivated by poor living conditions in many countries, and that it is only a sex trade, but in actuality, it is a huge worldwide scourge (Mason et al, 2012). Human trafficking is an overall health matter with the implication of increasing sexual transmitted diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, progress of psychological disorder including drug misuse, suicidal predispositions subsequent to socio economic problems (Manson et al. 2012). Worldwide strategies have been formulated to support an effort to eradicate human trafficking. For example, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the universal Declaration of Human Right with some requirements in it, calculated to safeguard mankind from the menace of human trafficking (United Nations, 2000). The Unites States as a country had also involved in the battle against this tragedy. For example, the Trafficking Victims Act was enacted in 1994 by the Clinton administration. The Act outlines the standards for Federal Policy on human trafficking and how to react to instances concerning human trafficking. In addition to the federal policy initiatives, state legislative efforts have been made in the area of t law enforcement, exploration, and persecution of the offence. The professional nursing association (ANA) is not exempt in this fight against human trafficking. ANA delegates (2008) passed a resolution in favor of legislation to diminish the prevalence of human trafficking. They also included strategies of educating nurses to train on how to recognize and assist victims (ANA, 2008). Human trafficking has several challenges as well as prospects for advocacy and service. The complex nature of the subject and the absence of organized action on trafficking worldwide make data collection a challenge; which reflects in the reluctance of some countries to accept that human trafficking affect them. Deficiency in education or awareness on the modus operand of the illegitimate trade poses another challenge. Many of the perpetrators of this atrocious crime function in a legitimate business model such as; having normal offices with very nice-looking web and billboard advertisements. Furthermore, victims of human trafficking have been extremely indoctrinated by their abusers in a manner that makes it hard to establish or obtain any prosecuting evidence from the victims that will help in prosecuting the abusers. Finally, the perpetrators of human trafficking are financially very rich which gives them the tools to overcome any sting from law enforcement. Raising awareness among policy makers, law enforcement bodies and the civil society is key to all preventative efforts aimed at stamping out human trafficking in our country. This course has broadened my skills on how to advocate for any issues that I deem necessary to the well-being of our society. For instance, I now understand how to write a persuasive letter to the lawmakers or policy makers to propose solution to deal with them Also Policy and Politics in nursing has already informed me on how to form grass root movements which are indispensable in taking up very serious issues such as the human trafficking one. For example, after reading about gurus like Patricia E Tobal; a sturdy community activist and volunteer (Manson et al, 2012), the longing to begin small groups to push the issues of interest in nursing has enlarged. I also recognized that running for political office is a potent avenue to confront problems like that of human trafficking. By learning the ropes of politics, I feel excited to put to practice the skills that I learned. “For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land” (Deuteronomy, 15:11, ESV). These scriptures reflect why we need to be advocates indeed. Reference
American Nurses Association. (2008, July 1). RN delegates to ANA biennial meeting take action to work toward greater nurse retention address public health issue. Press release. Retrieved April 22, 2013 from http://www.thefreelibrary.com/RN+delegates+to+ANA'S+biennial+meeting+take+action +to+work+toward-a0186217833
International Labor Organization. (2009). The cost of coercion, Geneva, Switzerland International Labor Organization. Retrieved April 21, 2013 from www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/@ed_norm/@relconf/documents/
Mason, D., Leavitt, J., & Chaffee, M. (2012). 6th ed Policy & Politics in nursing and health care. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier/Sanders.
United Nations (2000). Protocol to prevent, suppress, and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children, supplementing UN convention against transnational organized crime. Retrieved on April 22, 2013 from http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/treaties/CTOC/index.html