A common trend of human trafficking is that young women were offered jobs like modeling, dancing or to be a nanny of a wealthy family with good pay.+
They often received these false promises through talking to men online
The main targets are usually young, pretty, and vulnerable women
According to “Psychology Today”, about 200,000 women are annually forced into sex trade in US
The Super Bowl is the largest human trafficking event in the US. The party atmosphere and huge crowds make it easier for victims to go unnoticed
Children are often victims in human trafficking
The FBI rescued more than 80 children and 120 traffickers in Operation Cross Country XL, with half of the arrests in Georgia
The most common grounds for human traffickers are hotels, casino, street corners, truck stops and online
Immigration
There are approximately 43.3 million immigrants that live in the US
Problems adjusting their status → Many unauthorized immigrants qualify for a green card by having a close relative who is a citizen in the US. However, they are not able to change their status from within the US because they haven’t been admitted to the country. So if they leave the US to get a immigrant visa then re-entry would be more difficult and the process would take longer.
In 2016, immigrants contributed about $2 trillion to the US GDP (Gross Domestic Product). This shows that majority of the workforce within the US is made by immigrants.
Unauthorized immigrants (children included) are not appointed legal counsels in deportation proceedings, meaning they are not given a fair trial.
Zero tolerance immigration policy → A policy that allows immigration authorities/officers to detain immigrants and children. This cause children to be placed in different facilities from their families
The director of US Citizenship and Immigration Service (U.S.C.I.S), Lee Cissna has made changes to the agency that mirrors Trump’s administration hard-stance on immigration. The agency has increased difficulty for work visas that many companies in the US want to hire. All the changes within the U.S.C.I.S regarding the asylum process often discourages people from coming or seeking refuge in the US.
Immigration policy changes → One change that Trump’s administration is they ended protected status for 86,000 Hondurans that live in the US legally since early 2000s. Now they have 18 months to leave the US or they may be deported.
Poverty
Middle class is decreasing in size
Less high paying jobs
Population is growing too fast
America’s population is aging- causing a problem on social welfare (social security)
Poverty today looks different than the past. People living in poverty today may still own computers, cars, phones, and cable TV. Because of this, other people may not consider that situation to be "true" poverty.
More people owe more than they own
Single women with children are the most affected by poverty
"Child poverty rates are highest among black, Latino and American Indian children," (National Center for Children in Poverty)
Gun Control
There is a difference between gun control and gun rights.
Whether or not second amendment applies to the issue of the “right to bear arms”
“The United States has 120.5 guns per 100 people, or about 393,347,000 guns, which is the highest total and per capita number in the world.”
“In 2013, the NRA spending budget was $290.6 million. [133] The NRA-ILA actively lobbies against universal checks and registration” This proves why so many schools shooters with a background of crime are able to obtain guns and walk freely with them
According to a Quinnipiac Poll taken shortly after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, 66% of American voters support stricter gun control laws.
“Beginning with Columbine in 1999, more than 187,000 students attending at least 193 primary or secondary schools have experienced a shooting on campus during school hours, according to a year-long Washington Post analysis.”
The day after the San Bernardino incident on Dec. 2, 2015, the Senate rejected a bill that was set to make background check requirements for guns stricter. This same thing happened in 2013'; after rejecting a bill for background checks, a gunman killed six adults and 20 children at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Sexual Abuse/Harassment/Rape, Domestic Abuse, Child Abuse
Victim shaming
Doubt/claiming that victim is lying
Some effects on victim: trust issues, flashbacks, panic attacks
Victim sometimes expected to “get over it and move on”
Difficulty in leaving relationship with abusive partner due to threats, fear of reaction, etc.
Pedophilia - molestation, kidnapping, rape, traumatizes the child and may kill them if they get pregnant, are raped as a baby, or commit suicide
Feeling like maybe their experience wasn’t serious enough to warrant being reported/going to therapy
Physical harm
Mental trauma, mental abuse, being manipulated/gaslighted
Child abuse being “expected” or child abuse being excused because of the culture (latinx child abuse)
Suicide due to not being able to speak up, or being judged by people around them
Hitting a child being seen as the only way to discipline a child
Child neglect
Punishing a child for not doing the correct thing on their first try /expecting them to be able to think like an adult
Never letting a child speak their mind, ignoring what they say
Making child feel like they can’t go to their family (or anyone) about their problems
Not supporting children in what they like
Kicking out child for being LGBT+/abusing them for being LGBT+
