It's time to give human trafficking the red light

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Thomas Trower
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Annual awareness training has become the norm for all base workers; however, the base training manager here wants Airmen to pay close attention to one subject that is sometimes overlooked in the masses of material.

Kirk Stoye, as the Combating Trafficking in Persons point of contact at RAF Mildenhall, is charged with highlighting the training that is incorporated into every Airman's annual Total Force Awareness training under the title "Human Relations."

"We don't think [human trafficking] can touch us," said Mr. Stoye. "But, we might go in for fast food or a good curry and one of those workers behind the scene could be trafficked."

Trafficking in persons is defined as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons by means of threat, use of force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse or exploitation. It is a human rights violation that is often referenced as modern-day slavery.

The Air Force's zero tolerance policy with human trafficking stems from the seriousness of the crime that has no global bounderies. After illegal drugs, human trafficking tied with illegal arms deals as the second largest criminal industry in the world, said Mr. Stoye. It is also the fastest growing crime.

The Department of State's annual Trafficking in Persons Report included the United States in it's findings for the first time in 2010. It was listed among 27 other countries in the report's top tier of compliance, however the unique lifestyles of U.S. servicemembers puts them in a vulnerable position.

"We travel to many areas of the world that are more affected," said Mr. Stoye, a retired chief master sergeant. "Therefore commanders are required to check that Airmen have current trafficking in persons training before going on any trip more than 14 days. This includes leave and [temporary duty]."

Mr. Stoye explained that many people who are victimized are decieved into coming to a more developed country for a better life. After they agree to come, they are indebted to their handlers until they raise enough money to pay for their travel. The traffickers then go back on their word and force their victims into free labor by holding their passport or threatening to report them to immigration officials.

"It's a faceless crime to you and me," he said. "Sadly, convictions are low for offenders."

To help fight this global issue, Airmen should report any suspicious behavior to their chain of command, security forces, Air Force Office of Special Investigations or the Inspector General.