When I was a senior in high school I went to a conference with my classmates that was held in Atlanta, Georgia. The name of the conference was Passion, and it was put on every year for high school seniors and college students whose ages range from eighteen to twenty-six years old. The point of the conference was to provide a place where young, Christian students could gather together to worship and hear the preaching of the Word of God. While I was at this conference, I was informed about the issue of human trafficking for the first time. Louie Giglio, founder of the Passion Movement and pastor of  Passion City Church located in Atlanta, told the students at Passion various stories about people who had been affected by this problem and how we could help by donating money to the cause, through Passion. These contributions would fund missionaries and other groups who were leading the way in the battle to end human slavery, referred to as the End It Movement. Ever since learning about this movement, I have had a heart that yearns to see this matter resolved. This research question reflects highly on my morals and values. I believe that human trafficking is morally and ethically wrong. I believe that the people responsible should, and can be brought to justice, and that those suffering should and will be freed from their chains. I have confidence that if like-minded people join together and wage war on the evil of human trafficking, we as a society can make a change and end human slavery once and for all. Although I do not know anyone personally affected by this issue I have sat in many conferences and heard the cries of its victims. I have read articles online, in magazines, and in newspapers about the agony, suffering, and pain that many are forced to live with day after day. Additionally, I have supported efforts to find a way out for those who are trapped in human trafficking. I am qualified to write about such a topic because, unlike most people, I am well aware of this sickening tragedy. I have spent time, money, and effort to help those in need and I will continue to do so. My eyes have been opened to this real and ever present danger. I have been introduced first-hand to the realities of human trafficking. 

In her article, "Nightmare on Any Street: America's Human trafficking Dilemma," Dianne Small-Jordan, (PhD student in Criminal Justice) informs her audience about the current human trafficking situation in the United States. She writes, "In the United States, human trafficking is the second largest criminal organization on the land, buying and selling people falls just behind drugs as a source of black-market income." (Nightmare on Any Street: America's Human trafficking Dilemma, paragraph three in introduction). She goes on to define human trafficking and talk about some of the horrible things that people go through as human slaves including, forced labor and prostitution. Small-Jordan informs her reader that human trafficking infects every corner of the globe, and is unmanageable because it is overlooked and underreported. The problem in the U.S. according to the government  is that around 14,000-17,000 are brought into the country from more than 35 countries annually. This situation has continued to worsen as seen by the 200% increase in the past few years. Small-Jordan then goes on to tell her readers that these captives are forced to work in squalid conditions with minimal resources to provide the average citizen with the everyday essentials everyone loves and adores. Small-Jordan does not stop there she goes on to say that children are the number one victims of human trafficking.  She explains the children's  risk and how they bring in the most profit to those behind the mask of human trafficking. She tells her viewers how these children are tricked into slavery through the use of false ads, websites, job offers, and empty promises of a better life. Small-Jordan ends her article with a ray of hope as she teaches her readers about multiple organizations who are fighting to end human trafficking. She then calls her readers to action by telling them to learn about this violent issue and strive to be  part of a solution. The major stake in this article is to educate and teach the general public about this gross and filthy business that is happening right outside their doors and on their streets. As a PhD student in Criminal Justice, Small-Jordan knows the ins and outs of such a crime. She knows how these criminals think and what their actions lead to. She is very well aware of the problem at hand, however, she tends to focus more on the issue rather than a solution. Her bias leaves one wondering how to be an effective advocate for human trafficking. Small-Jordan's belief that education is the key is a start, but it leaves the reader wanting more.

In their article, "Prostitution and Human Trafficking: The Middle Road of Regulation," authors Alexandra Rudolph and Axel Dreher write, "Human trafficking is not a natural feature of legalized prostitution, but a consequence of badly regulated prostitution." These two PhD professors argue that the main problem with human trafficking is that it is not being regulated. Unlike the former article, these two writers do not focus on defining and outlining human trafficking, but instead highlight the key issue that surrounds its very core. They present recent facts about human trafficking, such as its size, magnitude, and profit. Finally, they give alternative solutions that can be implemented along with regulation. They recommend things like supporting the victims, and how to go about doing such a thing. The main stake in this article is shedding light on one of the key components of human trafficking and offering multiple avenues on how to stop such a crime. As professors at Heidelberg University, these two scholars are well rounded in areas such as International Politics and have a vast knowledge of things that are occurring in our world today, including how to stop them from reoccurring. As far as biased is concerned, in this particular article the authors tend to focus on one aspect of human trafficking instead of addressing other urgent elements of the problem that need to be readily solved.

According to the Institute for Trafficked, Exploited, and Missing Persons (ITEMP), there are four ways to solve human trafficking. The first step is to understand the issue. The second step is to understand how to prevent the problem from taking place. The third step is to take a stand and save lives. The fourth and final step is to report and charge those who are behind human trafficking. Although these steps may seem to be an easy solution, the four pillars are rich in reliable and effective methods. The ITEMP offers a course called Human Trafficking 101, a webpage that informs one on how to be a force against human slavery, photos of victims, contact information, and a place where one can donate money to this relief cause. The stake ITEMP has is that it serves as a path for people to learn and get involved. It is unbiased because it addresses the issues, offers a solution, and a way to get involved. The people at ITEMP are credible because they deal with human trafficking specifically. 

This research question is arguable because, while everyone would certainly agree that human trafficking is a problem, many people would disagree on which solution is best and some would go so far to say that there is no real solution. All the sources agree that human trafficking is a real problem in today's culture and that there are many ways to solve the issues. However, they do disagree on which solution is the best. Every source provides a different answer to the question at hand, but none of them agree across the board. There may be plenty of useful solutions as previously stated, but there also may be one potent key that has not yet been discovered. As for my perspective, these sources have helped me to realize that there are many ways to take a stance against human trafficking, but they have also made me question whether a plethora of solutions is the way to go, or if there is one overall powerful answer. They have also made me think about the fact that human trafficking may never indeed be done away with entirely. They have made me ask, "Is human trafficking too big of an ordeal?"  I might need to change my project by asking that very question, rather than "Can Americans Find a Viable and Useful Solution?" As I consider these questions I think that the fact that I am writing to the people of the United States in order to inform them about human trafficking so that they will take action compels me as an author to stick with the original question and find a way that Americans can make a difference in their country.

Throughout this project I have done quite a bit I research. One thing I have realized is that human trafficking can be reduced significantly. However,  in no way can it be fully eradicated from human society. Humans are fallen creatures and it  is in their nature to do evil.  One cannot control a human beings actions, however, one can indeed regulate the actions of others. Through the use of  regulation we as a society and as a people of the United States can see a day when human trafficking is no longer a prominent issue. In all the sources that I found each author has offered a different solution to the problem of human trafficking. In contrast to all the different methods suggested to solve human trafficking every author has agreed on one point; and that point is that the people of United States can make a difference when it comes to the problem of human trafficking. Americans can do this by being aware, educated, and resourceful. After my thorough research I do feel more qualified to argue  the position that Americans can stop human trafficking. Even though I feel more confident about my position I still do not no everything there is to know and can stand to learn more about human trafficking. There are so many different views, thoughts, ideas, and  beliefs when it comes to human trafficking. The only way one can fully understand and truly comprehend human trafficking is by witnessing it first hand and being a part of the relief.
