Summary of the Article
The article discusses human trafficking (HT) with a special focus on sex trafficking (ST). Baird (2019) starts by examining the nature of HT, which has become the second most profitable criminal industry across the globe. The author suggests that SF deserves special attention because its victims are often blamed and not appropriately protected by the law and because the public does not understand how SF operates in the US (Baird, 2019). For example, in spite of popular misconception, the targets of SF are not only young women but also come from all genders, ages, and areas of life (Baird, 2019). Nonetheless, both national and international regulations prioritize the prosecution of traffickers and seem to overlook the protection of victims (Baird, 2019). Consequently, the author proposes statutes that could improve the situation, such as safe harbor, affirmative defense, and vacatur laws (Baird, 2019). For instance, the latter can help clear records of victims of ST who have been wrongfully charged with prostitution (Baird, 2019). Accordingly, the article explains human trafficking and various aspects of sex trafficking, concentrating on legal issues alongside the targets of ST and ways to protect their rights.
Impression of the Article
I was quite impressed by the article as it provided many insights and raised some unsettling feelings. In particular, upon reading the paper, I realized that the problem of human trafficking is extremely influential, but I felt that society avoids discussing it. For example, I was stunned when I learned that more people are enslaved nowadays than during the period of the Atlantic slave trade (Baird, 2019). Notably, after finishing the reading, I wanted to explore the current state of the issue more, considering that the report was published in 2019. Accordingly, I have discovered that since the COVID-19 pandemic, both HT and ST have increased because predators have started targeting people who spend more time online during lockdowns (Jakes, 2021). Furthermore, I think the article is quite well-constructed and written in a manner that is oriented to the understanding of a wide audience. Moreover, the author appears to have examined a variety of sources for the discussion. Overall, despite the topic being complex, my impression of the paper is positive due to the article providing a thorough and methodical examination of human and sex trafficking.
References
Baird, D. (2019). Changing the narrative: Sex trafficking and its victims. Brigham Young University Journal of Public Law, 33(2), 321-353.
Jakes, L. (2021). Pandemic lockdowns aided predators worldwide, especially online, US says. The New York Times. Web.