Human Trafficking on College Campuses

Among the most heinous crimes, human trafficking remains a global plague, requiring collective action to combat. It is a multifaceted issue that not only affects foreign countries but has infiltrated local communities, including college campuses like Arizona State University (ASU). Female students at ASU have alarmingly reported instances of exploitation and coercion at university events by traffickers promoting prostitution. However, the threat extends beyond prostitution, as students might also face risks of abduction and exploitation for other human trafficking crimes such as drug trafficking, enslavement, organ transplants, or forced labor.

The victims of human trafficking suffer a complete erosion of dignity and basic human rights. Hence, it is imperative for ASU’s Administration Office to sponsor a student-led human trafficking awareness program and continue to publicize the issue. This would not only prevent these crimes from happening to other potential victims but also provide support to survivors.

The Scope of the Problem

The inhumane and illegal practice of human trafficking endangers men, women, children, and young adults globally, making it a recurring issue. According to The International Labour Organization, at least 24.9 million people are bought and sold internationally into the commercial sex trade and forced labor. Alarmingly, women and girls are disproportionately affected by forced labor, accounting for 99% of victims in the commercial sex industry and 58% in other sectors. This highlights the frequency with which women and girls are approached in these situations. College campuses are particularly vulnerable environments for recruitment, as students may be more susceptible to considering illegal options to pay off student loans and bills. Therefore, college attendees, including myself, must be vigilant about their surroundings, especially during college events where alcohol is served. Students should remain alert when walking alone or opt to leave with groups of people.

Vulnerability on Campus

According to the Texas School Safety Center, traffickers recognize that schools provide an ideal opportunity to coerce and recruit young students. For instance, students at ASU parties may often leave under the influence of alcohol, making them more likely to be unaccompanied and vulnerable to coercion. Recently, The State Press News reported that the ASU Police Department issued a safety bulletin informing the public about a trend of traffickers targeting students at college parties and events. The bulletin warned that traffickers use threats of force or exposure to the campus community to coerce victims into prostitution. Moreover, traffickers have devised creative methods for recruiting new victims. For example, at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, a student-led news website reported that female students were approached by recruiters involved in human trafficking. In this incident, a woman overheard a conversation involving "God the Mother," a term for a fake bible study group, and female students unknowingly exchanging personal contact information with traffickers. Traffickers often exploit victims living in adverse environments by luring them with promises of a better life.

Emotional and Psychological Impact

The emotional consequences of human trafficking are devastating and long-lasting for its victims. In Gary Mohr's article, "The Impact of Human Trafficking," he states that victims often experience severe mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. These symptoms manifest as sleeplessness, nightmares, panic attacks, difficulty concentrating, physical pain, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, hyper-alertness, and dissociation. Such emotional trauma is often exacerbated by the excessive demands traffickers place on their victims. Given these dire consequences, it is crucial for students to be aware of these risks whenever they find themselves in vulnerable positions, such as being under the influence of alcohol or in unfamiliar settings.

Proposed Solutions

While human trafficking has a profoundly negative impact on victims, several solutions have been proposed to address the issue effectively. The U.S. Department of State suggests that individuals write to their local, state, and federal government representatives to express the urgency of combating human trafficking. This advocacy would help bring the issue to the forefront and emphasize the need to put an end to it. Another viable solution is spreading awareness about human trafficking and staying well-informed. Awareness empowers individuals to take precautions and remain vigilant about current trafficking trends. However, while these solutions are potentially effective, they may not be sufficient to stop human trafficking entirely. Some individuals may be reluctant to report suspicious activities due to fear or apathy.

Implementing a Student-Led Awareness Program

The gravity of this issue underscores why the ASU Administration Office should seriously consider implementing my proposed student-led human trafficking awareness program. When students are more knowledgeable about the mechanics of human trafficking, they are better prepared and equipped to combat this growing epidemic. Within the program, students and others can learn the necessary precautions to avoid risky situations, such as recognizing the signs and causes of human trafficking. By engaging with articles, videos, and survivor testimonies, students can become adept at identifying red flags on campus. Additionally, the program would promote ASU’s Safety Escort Service and review ASU’s Personal Safety Suggestions to help ensure student safety. Implementing this program would significantly contribute to protecting students on campus grounds, making it the best choice for enhancing student safety.

Overcoming Objections and Securing Support

Although my proposed solution is a promising way to protect student safety, some may object to the program due to its potential costs. As a college student, I am prepared to help fund this program by organizing online donations, fundraisers, and seeking sponsorship from the ASU Police Department. In a recent interview with a classmate who opposed my proposal, he questioned how we could ensure that sex traffickers would not infiltrate the program. I responded by explaining that the program would have an online platform detailing the organization’s mission and listing the organizers' names. Additionally, background checks would be conducted to verify the program's security and legitimacy. Another classmate inquired how I would support the program. I explained that we would recruit students, start petitions, and create a social media presence to garner support. Ultimately, I believe that this solution would help create a safer atmosphere at ASU, providing students with the knowledge to navigate real-life situations that can happen to anyone.

Conclusion

This epidemic will persist if we do not raise awareness and support survivors and victims locally. Schools are meant to be safe havens for students, and if ASU prioritizes safety, it will commit to making its campus as secure as possible. To effectively prevent human trafficking on campus, the ASU Administration Office should embrace my proposal to establish a student-led human trafficking awareness program. By doing so, the university will not only benefit its students but also attract prospective students by demonstrating its commitment to creating a safe and supportive campus environment.

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