In spite of UN resolution in 1948 that prohibits slavery in all its shape and form, slavery still exists today. There are estimated 27 million men, women, and children who are enslaved today. This figure exceeds by far the numbers of slaves in transatlantic slave trade. About 20 million are enslaved for forced and bonded labor, and 7 million are subjects to sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. Another development since the ban of slavery is that prices for slaves have decreased. In 1850, a slave was sold for an equivalent of $40,000. Today, according to some estimates, the average slave costs $90, depending on the work they will be bought for. Moreover, the cost of keeping a slave had gone down. The living conditions of people enslaved in bonded labor are horrific. Both of these decreases in cost make modern day slavery a very profitable business. In addition, human trafficking is the third most profitable criminal activity after drugs and arms dealings. All of these contribute to such a high number of enslaved people today.

There are many efforts to rescue and support the enslaved people. However, buying them out of slavery is not a good idea for a number of reasons. First, you will enable the trafficking criminal and help the vicious cycle to continue. The reason these criminals are in human trafficking business is because it is profitable. When you engage in a sale of a slave, you are fulfilling the purpose of trafficking for the criminal; you are giving them what they are after on the first place – money. And now, since they are in business, they are going to kidnap and deceive more people that they can sell to keep the business going. Therefore, by trying to buy slaves out of slavery, you will actually keep the chain of supply going.

Next, you are putting a price tag on a human life by trying to buy out enslaved people. You will be engaging in bargaining and negotiating a price. How would you do that? Are there different prices for a man or a woman, a child or an adult, young or old? Many different scenarios come to mind from History lectures about the ugly process of masters selecting slaves for plantation and domestic work. By trying to buy the enslaved people, you are putting yourself in the same position as the trafficking criminals in the supply chain. You participate in the human trafficking process and confirm to both sides that freedom has a monetary value, even when your intentions are noble and directed to set the enslaved people free.

Additionally, you create opportunities for others to join the industry. In a very simplistic scenario, a human trafficking criminal receives his money, continues to prosper, and shows off in front of his family and neighbors. They might struggle themselves, but seeing how it is an easier way to make a living, why not join the business. Especially when there are people who want to pay. It is not their concern what is going to happen to the trafficked men, women, and children – whether they will be set free or continue down the supply chain. The traffickers did their part and received money for it. Therefore, by buying the enslaved people, you actually sponsor the increase in numbers of human trafficking criminals.

Moreover, if you decide to buy the enslaved people, what are your next steps? How will you help them re-integrate into the society? Are you going to take them to local authorities? Will they go to a local shelter? Will they be placed under deportation proceedings? Most of the time, the trafficked in people are in a completely different country, do not speak the language, are in shock from abuses, and do not have any documents or belongings, and have no idea where their family or friends are. Very often, they were forced to acquire an addiction to drugs and need help in dealing with it. Additionally, very often the victims develop so called Stockholm syndrome, in which they are emotionally attached to their abusers. If these issues are not addressed properly, your newly liberated people will escape and return to their traffickers. There are many possible scenarios to help the victims of human trafficking and modern day slavery to get a fresh start in life. It is important to ensure that they get all the help and support they need in order to build back their lives. Otherwise, these people will be at risk of returning to their traffickers or be trafficked again. Many people who engage in buying enslaved people out to freedom do not think about the next step and often the victims are back to their horrible circumstances.

So, the question is what can be done instead to help the victims of human trafficking and modern day slavery? There are many NGOs (non-government organizations) and non-profit organizations that are working to raise awareness on the issues of human trafficking and modern day slavery in this country and all over the world. Some of them also have presence in the countries that are considered transit and destination countries for human trafficking. They work together with local law enforcement to conduct raids and collect evidence to prosecute trafficking criminals and to close down the criminal venues. They assist victims and survivors of slavery by providing environment in which they can be healed, restored, and enabled to rebuild their lives and live freely. Therefore, supporting such organizations is a much better use of financial resources. Instead of continuing a supply chain and enabling human trafficking criminals, you would be supporting their prosecution and creating a safe environment for the victims.

Additionally, you might want to contact your legislators to get them to pay more attention to the issues of human trafficking and modern day slavery. We need clearly defined legal means to prosecute and convict those who sell other human beings. We also need stronger sentences for the criminals convicted of exploiting others, be it in this country or anywhere else in the world. Additionally, we need to continue to engage other countries to fight human trafficking and modern day slavery. No one, not one man, woman, or a child deserves to be bought, sold, and exploited, all for the gain of money-craving criminals.

In conclusion, with so many people enslaved in the world, it is a natural desire to want to help them. However, buying enslaved people out to freedom creates more opportunities for human traffickers and places monetary value on human life. Consider instead helping organizations that are fighting to abolish slavery in the world. Their efforts have long-lasting impact on human trafficking industry and provide opportunities for liberated people to rebuild their lives.

Sources Used:

http://humantrafficking.change.org/blog/view/buying_a_slaves_freedom_what_not_to_do