Surname 1

Student’s Name
Professor’s Name
Course Number
Date
Human Trafficking and Forced Prostitution in Tenancinga, Mexico
Abstract
This independent research paper aims to address the issue of human trafficking and
prostitution in Tenancinga, Mexico. It will provide a theoretical framework of feminist research
that will address issues women face and how challenging these issues and oppressions are.
Thesis Statement: Women and girls are trapped in modern slavery by criminal gangs
that have perfected the art of human trafficking and prostitution for a long time. However,
instead of getting discouraged by the rising number of sex and trafficking cases, these women
have found ways to challenge these oppressors.
From the beginning of time, society has always been unfair to women. Stereotypes have
found their way of painting women as the weak species. As a result, they are oppressed and used
in inhumane ways. Human trafficking is one of the ways used by gangs to take away the dignity
of a woman. The trafficked women are used for economic use by being forcefully indulged in
sexual work (Walters et al., 2011). Some of the gangs involved in human trafficking acts involve
women themselves. It is unfortunate that the same women oppressed participate in abducting
their fellow females instead of liberating them from such evil acts.
Women from Tenancinga, Mexico, are victims of violence. They are exposed to gender-
based violence and violence in general. They are inflicted with pain through violence in order to
cooperate with the abductors. Violence is in the form of beatings, intimidation, and torture. As a
human being, it is scarily to be subjected to both physical and emotional pain. The gangs target
women of all ages depending on their needs. Young girls are also targets of these law-breakers.
They turn human beings into commodities and use them for monetary values. The trafficked
women are subjected to forced abortions, assaults if they fail to cooperate, and threats to their
families.
The gangs also expose women to sex and prostitution. Trafficked women are taken to
brothels where they used to be commercial sex workers. The abductors earn profits by charging
clients who come to engage with the victims sexually. In most cases, these perpetrators target
young teenage girls from the age of fourteen years. The girls are forced to involve in romantic
relationships hence bringing profits to the gangsters and their families.
Sexual harassment is a common vice used by traffickers whereby women do not have the
freedom to engage in sexual acts. They are forced to engage with as many people as possible in
order to increase proceeds and profits. Trafficked women do not have a right over their bodies or
who to engage with romantically. They are treated as slaves and robots. Criminal force women to
produce pornographic materials and films, which are later sold on online platforms (Still, 4).
Women are turned into sex slaves with no voice or dignity.
Young girls and women are trafficked from within to across the border, mostly in the
United States. Human traffickers use the trick of luring young girls by promising them jobs and
better lives. Before they realize they are already abducted. At this point, they are subjected to
 Surname 2

beatings and threats and are forced to fall for the plan since there is no way out. According to
Gozdziak and Elizabeth about ten percent of the people are human traffickers (Gozdziak &
Elizabeth, 119). Investigation of human trafficking cases is hard because the criminals are tactful
and leave no traces. Others use seduction methods that do not seem like trafficking but consent.
It becomes hard to prosecute the criminal since there is no supporting evidence. They remain as
suspected criminals who cannot be subjected to the judicial system. This makes the crime appear
legal before the law.
Although it has not been an easy journey, women have taken initiatives in seeking justice
and change. They have formed organizations and demonstrated as agents of liberation and not
victims. Some of the empowering ways used include larger change, advocacy, grounded
movements and organizations.
Women are standing up for their rights through speaking up. They are using journalists
and social platforms to call out for societal and government intervention. Most of the traffickers
are known; some are our family members, neighbors, and friends. Some also collaborate with the
security agencies and use corrupt and illegal ways of smuggling women across borders (Garza,
413). The women are taking the initiative of reporting all known human traffickers through the
help of anti-human trafficking organizations and social groups. In case of a trafficking incident,
they follow up to ensure the perpetrators are arrested and jailed. They also use social platforms to
educate young girls and women on the various ways used by gangs to trick and traffic them. The
method has helped many women take charge of their lives by identifying, evading, and reporting
suspected traffickers.
Women are taking action by reporting any suspect or suspected case. Instead of waiting
to fall victim, reporting any suspicious person or activity is a way of protecting oneself from the
future occurrence of a similar situation. Different religions have formed religious organizations
that act as rescue centers for trafficked women. They have taken the initiative to set up places for
human trafficking victims to offer spiritual nourishment and psychological support. The women
are empowered again before going back to society. They are taught how to take control over
their lives and given counseling. Counseling helps to repair their damaged mental health, which
is caused by the deep traumas developed in the hands of gangs.
According to Walters, some human trafficking victims look for escape routes from the
hands of gangs (Walter, 4). Escape plans are either individual or by using hotlines where the
security agencies come for their rescue. After the escape, some take the initiative of involving
relevant authorities who intervene to rescue the remaining people from the oppressors. Various
organizations and movements have joined hands to tour the country, creating awareness and
advocacy on human trafficking, dangers of sexual slavery, and prostitution.
During human trafficking investigations, victims initiate change in seeking justice by
cooperating with authorities in giving out information. The information is used to conduct a
thorough investigation which helps in prosecuting and jailing oppressors (Rietig, 12). In case a
suspect is found guilty of a human trafficking crime, they are jailed for an average time of
between ten to thirty years. Federal authorities and human rights activists, with the cooperation
of victims, have successfully ensured justice is served to both involved parties (Cicero-
Dominquez, 303).
 Surname 3

Human rights activists and groups have played a significant role in creating awareness on
prostitution and human rights (Acharya et al., 23). The movement advocates for a decent way of
meeting victims' basic needs by offering training and education to young girls exposed to
prostitution. the organization also educate society on how to treat and accommodate victims in
the society.
 Surname 4

Work Cited
Acharya, Arun Kumar, Armando Moctezuma Suarez, and Francisco de Jesus Gomez
ONTIVEROS. "Trafficking of Women and Children in Mexico: An Assessment of Anti-
Trafficking Laws." Revista de cercetare si interventie sociala (2016). 16-43
Cicero-Dominquez, Salvador A. "Assessing the US-Mexico fight against human trafficking and
smuggling: Unintended results of US immigration policy." Nw. Univ. J. Int'l Hum. Rts. 4
(2005): 303.
Garza, Rocio. "Addressing human trafficking along the United States-Mexico border: The need
for a bilateral partnership." Cardozo J. Int'l & Comp. L. 19 (2011): 413.
Gozdziak, Elzbieta M., and Elizabeth A. Collett. "Research on human trafficking in North
America: A review of literature." International Migration 43.1‐2 (2005): 99-128.
Rietig, Victoria. "Prevent, protect, and prosecute human trafficking in Mexico: Policy and
practical recommendations." International migration 53.4 (2015): 9-24.
Still, Alexandra. "Solving human trafficking between Mexico and the United
States." Pepperdine Policy Review 9.1 (2017): 4.
Walters, Jim, and Patricia H. Davis. "Human trafficking, sex tourism, and child exploitation on
the southern border." Journal of Applied Research on Children 2.1 (2011): 6.