A panel of experts and students debated the "the third most profitable crime in the world" Thursday night, citing its connection to illegal immigration and other social woes in American society, before discussing ways in which BYU students could get involved in community causes.

Human trafficking is only superseded by drug and arms trafficking in terms of profitability, according to statistics presented by panelist Gina Bellazetin of the Utah Health and Human Rights Project. Human trafficking victims are also much more prevalent in Utah than most residents currently believe.

State Rep. Christopher Herrod, R-Provo, is the sponsor of HB 339 to further prosecute human traffickers and smugglers. According to Herrod, human trafficking and illegal immigration come from many of the same sources.

"One of the biggest ways people get sucked into human trafficking is the promise of jobs," Herrod said. "Jobs are what drive people to come here."

Most of the panelists closely link human trafficking to illegal immigration, and agreed that the current controversies surrounding undocumented workers directly affect victims of trafficking.

Because of the link between immigration and trafficking, Herrod says that offering amnesty for such situations may not be as good of an idea as people think.

"If you reward illegal behavior, you end up getting more of it," Herrod said.

Panelist Zac Davis, a junior majoring in international relations, agreed with Herrod, citing his experience in working against human trafficking in Europe. European human traffickers provide ample evidence of ties between undocumented workers and trafficking victims.

"Once [the victims] are immigrated, their passport and documents are taken so they can't escape," Davis said. "Traffickers make them do whatever they want, even more than sex sometimes. Then the feeling is to blame the victim, like it's their fault. Lawmakers often say 'what can we do? It's a corrupt people.'"

Other panelists included Jini Roby of the BYU Department of Social Work; Ingrid Guzman of the advocacy group Centro Hispano; and Matthew Colling, a master's student of sociology and president of Returning Stolen Lives. This isn't really necessary unless you are going to talk about them more

Another popular topic involved the trafficker's justifications for staying in the business. Davis noted the "extreme beliefs of ethnic superiority" in most cases.

"[The traffickers] find ways to think that they are still improving [the victim's] lives," Davis said.

Roby says that the increase in such societal woes as pornography provides new motivation to human traffickers.

"Pornography makes objects of women, and with it comes the idea that sex can be bought," Roby said. "Commercial sex means that people need to be provided [as a good]."

The evening ended with panelists offering suggestions of ways that the student body could make a difference. Some panelists focused on what you should know, first, to become involved. After educating oneself as to the prevalence of human trafficking in the world, it becomes easier to educate other people and help change the world.

"If you educate yourself, then tell ten more people what you have learned, you will have done a lot," Roby said.

"Take a second look at people; maybe something won't feel right," Bellazetin said. "Look beyond what you see. Know that even U.S. Citizens can be victims."

Others emphasized a few things to do in order to help with the anti-trafficking movement. Herrod suggested getting involved in new international ventures for international development, such as BYU's current involvement in the field of micro-enterprise.

"The best service is not always done by government, but by NGO's and non-profit [organizations]," Herrod said.

"I know all of you expect us to say 'write your senator or representative,' but that really is one really good thing that you can do," Davis said.

Above all, each panelist agreed that American involvement in this issue is vital. Even as the United States puts pressure on other countries to augment their anti-trafficking laws, we will make a difference.

"The hope is that, as more countries progress economically, the reason to leave will diminish," Collings said.

Copyright Brigham Young University 25 Feb 2008