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Period: 1501 to
The Slave Trade
European traders traffick slaves from Africa to the New World in the Americas. The purpose for this was to have free labor that could work the sugar and cotton plantations in the New World. The slaves who were trafficked experienced horrific conditions on slave ships where they were shackled and packed like sardines. They were surrounded by feces and urine and many did not survive the journey. When they reached the Americas they were forced to work long hours in the hot sun with no pay. -
Period: 1562 to
The Triangle Trade
The Triangle Trade was a business agreement that was developed between three continents. Slaves were brought to the Americas where they were expected to work on plantations for long hours with no pay. The raw goods that the slaves harvested were then sent to Europe where those goods were manufactured and sold. Finally, a few of those manufactured goods like textiles were then sent back to Africa as payment for the slaves. -
End White Slavery!
In 1904, the International Agreement for Suppression of White Slave Traffic was signed by the major European powers including England, Sweden, Prussia, Spain, and Portugal. This agreement was created as a means to raise awareness and end the issue of white women and girls being forced into prostitution. It is considered the first international anti-human trafficking ordinance. -
The League of Nations
The League of Nations founded the International Convention for the Suppression of Traffic in Women and Children. This included all women of any race and ethnicity. It was signed by 33 nations and only covered trafficking for sexual purposes -
The United Nations
After the Second World War, United Nations signed the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others. It was a legally binding ordinance that demanded that all participating nations punish those tho procures for purposes of prostitution, another person, even with the consent of that person", "exploits the prostitution of another person, even with the consent of that person, or runs a brothel. -
The Fourth World Conference
This meeting was created to address the issue of human trafficking and recognize it as an act of violence against women. Actions were also taken and international conventions were enforced and law enforcement agencies and institutions were created to eliminate trafficking both nationally and internationally. Rehabilitation institutions were also created to assist victims into re-integrating into society. -
The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 is signed
The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 is signed by President Clinton. Its purpose is to combat human trafficking and involuntary servitude and to prevent violence against women. It provides financial aid for shelters for victims as well as financial aid for law enforcement to be able to combat it. It also provides life sentences for those who convicted of operating trafficking organizations in the U.S. This law was later reauthorized by Presidents Bush & Obama. -
The Polaris Project
The Polaris project is founded by Katherine Chon and Derek Ellerman. it was created after they imagined a world with no modern-day slavery. It is now the leading non-profit anti-human trafficking agency in the world. They created a national toll-free hotline to assist victims and they also raise money for those affected and bring awareness to their plight. -
Human Trafficking Awareness Month
President Obama declared January to be Human Trafficking Awareness month. January 11th was declared Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Various individuals and coalitions took part to increase awareness and encourage legislation that will take action against this issue. -
Survivors of Human Trafficking Empowerment Act.
This act was created by Congress to help victims receive justice. This act authorizes a domestic trafficking victims fund, direct services for victims, restitution and the targeting of child sex predators along with many other provisions. -
Presidential Determination
President Trump made a presidential determination regarding 22 U.S.C. § 7107 or Respect to the Efforts of Foreign Governments Regarding Trafficking in Persons.
