Human Trafficking Among Native Americans: How Jurisdictional and Statutory Complexities Present Barriers to Combating Modern-Day Slavery

Human Trafficking Among Native Americans: How Jurisdictional and Statutory Complexities Present Barriers to Combating Modern-Day Slavery

Human Trafficking Among Native Americans: How Jurisdictional and Statutory Complexities Present Barriers to Combating Modern-Day Slavery

It is undeniable that human trafficking is a global enterprise that transcends all racial and geographic boundaries. “Human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry in the world and it is easily the fastest growing.” While much of the focus on human trafficking centers on its global effect, little attention is given to the rampant issues women on our own soil face. The breadth and regularity of human trafficking in the United States cannot be overstated, and most people fail to recognize its presence and complexity. Indeed, human trafficking is a troubling national issue, but its impact on Native Americans is even more startling and almost entirely overlooked. This article addresses human trafficking issues in the United States with particular emphasis on human trafficking among Native Americans in Oklahoma.