A New Low

I recently came across an article that documented the finding of a chip inside a trafficking victim. This chip was used to store the victim’s name, date of birth, and other information. The device is similar to ones people use to put in their pets, in case they get lost (Love, 2016).

            

As someone who is passionate about trafficking survivors and ending human trafficking, I have read a lot of stories and tactics that traffickers use. I have heard about traffickers using physical or sexual harm to keep their victims under their control or even tattoos to brand their victims. This, however, was a first for me. I had never heard of a trafficker using a device like this. This shows me the absolute devaluing of a human being, for the trafficker’s gain. Not only is it possible to buy a human being for less than $90 these days, but you can also keep a chip in them with their information in case they would try to escape.

            

Using chips is a way for traffickers to show their utter control over their victim. It is yet another way of instilling fear into the person so that they will not try to run away; another way of showing ownership over the victim and sending them the message that they simply are not worth more than an animal or a material possession.

            

Everyone should be on the lookout for these victims. From school teachers, police officers, flight attendants, etc. to doctors and nurses. Because a high number of victims go into a hospital at some point during their victimization, doctors and nurses may be one of the most critical professions to be aware of this issue so that they can step in and help (Love, 2016).

            

I believe this is absolutely a new low for our developing world, and I am utterly disgusted that this exists today. Perfectly stated, Dr. Dale Carrison was quoted in the article saying, “There're so many sci-fi movies where they stick a device in somebody. Well, guess what? It’s real. It happened,” (Love, 2016, pg. 4)

One day I hope that we can live in a world where everyone enjoys freedom and where things like this are not reality. As always, being on the team at Transitions, I am thankful to be apart of the fight against this horrendous crime.

Written by Missy H., AmeriCorps