作者：武汉新航道北美考试院 托福口语组 熊宇涵
科技与网络的发展早已使我们的物质与精神生活发生了翻天覆地的变化。但是同时也为犯罪活动提供了便利，铸造着隐秘且黑暗的角落。你听过Modern Slavery（现代奴隶制）吗？我想告诉你的是：
Modern Slavery still exists TODAY.
Modern Slavery is a violent CRIME.
So what is Modern Slavery?
People trapped in slavery face physical, verbal, sexual abuse daily, and cannot leave to find other work or protect their families. The enslaved reports on being beaten, gang-raped, locked in tiny rooms, starved, forced to witness murder.
这对很多人来说都很陌生，但是却是每时每刻都在发生着的犯罪活动。世界上大犯罪活动是毒品走私，人口走私是第二大犯罪活动，却也因着科技的发展正在成为增长速度最快的犯罪活动。有三个原因：
1. 走私一个人会比走私毒品要更不容易暴露。
2. 有更多的途径去走私和交易一个人，网络就是主要的一个。
3. 更重要的是，毒品是一次性交易，而人可以不断被交易，这就意味着利润是成倍的。
Modern Slavery at a glance:
There are 40+ million people in slavery globally - more than ever before in human history. (40+ million=超过4千万)
Slavery is a multibillion-dollar industry - human trafficking generates $150B annually. ($150B=1500亿美金)
Slave owners prey on the poor and weak - 1 in 4 victims is a child.
Read these four real stories with names left out and try to put yourself in the shoes of a slave.
____ was a 7-year-old boy sexually abused on live internet video - a crime called cybersex trafficking.
____ wanted to support her children and pay their bills, so she took out a loan from a crooked factory owner. The owner continually increased the loan, violently forcing her family to continue working long hours for him for nearly 10 years.
____ was a young boy forced to work 19-hour days on his uncle’s fishing boat.
____ was deceived and forced into a life of prostitution. After losing her parents at 12 years old, she was determined to find work and support her brothers. A local bar owner offered her a job, but it was a trap. For years, she faced countless nights of sexual exploitation.
这些真实的故事都拥有着真实的姓名。他们都是现代奴隶制的受害者。总结来说，现代奴隶制包括以下七种形式：Land Theft (土地偷窃)
在很多地区，当家中的男丁去世或者离开后，家中的寡妇和小孩的房屋就会被非法侵占，导致她们流离失所。
Sex Trafficking (性贩运)
以性剥削为意图进行贩卖人口，包括性奴役。
Police Abuse of Power
很多非法活动的开展都受益于警方在司法上的滥用职权，就如电影中一样。
Citizenship Rights Abuse
一些由于战乱而逃离到别国的人失去了公民权，不受任何国家庇护，也成为了受害的高危人群。因为当他们消失时，没有人会知道。
Sexual Violence Against Children (儿童性暴力)
强迫、操纵或欺骗儿童进行性活动以进行利益交换。
Forced Labor Slavery (强迫劳动奴役)
正如以上故事二和三中描述的一样。强迫劳动包括：brick kilns (砖窑)，quarries and mines (采石场和矿山)，finishing boats。
现代奴隶制已经不止是一个问题了，它已经成为了世界上一部分人的常态。同样的，哪里有黑暗，光明就会在哪里兴起。许多国家和地区的不同的政府组织，民间组织机构，企业及项目都在致力于打击罪犯和救助受害人群。主要通过以下三种途径：种是对受害者的救助与康复治疗；第二种是将罪犯绳之以法；第三种是加强司法系统。
让我们把目光聚焦到一家名叫NightLight的国际机构，致力于打击人口走私及性贩运。成立于在泰国曼谷，总部在美国中部。NightLight同时也是一家制作和销售手工珠宝饰品的非营利企业。被解决出的女性可以选择接受珠宝设计，制作，销售，管理不同岗位的培训，来获得工作机会和技能。销售所得的所有利润都会回到她们身上，包括薪资、住房、医疗、保险、子女教育等。同时，机构也会提供定期的心理咨询和治疗，这对于受过精神创伤的人群来说也是至关重要的。这个恢复和转变的过程对于受害者和帮助者来说都是漫长的，这中间也会出现各种各样的状况。但是十分令人欣慰的是，我们会看到许多曾经的受害者后来甚至也成为了类似机构的创始人。这份希望会像火炬一样被传递下去。
下面这张图是NightLight在2019年所救助的女性及对应的国家。这些真实的数字都拥有着真实的故事，也传递着希望。
以上是对Modern Slavery一个比较笼统的介绍，具体到不同的国家和地区，情况也会发生改变。相关工作的开展也会随着当地文化的不同而发生调整，所以这也涉及到了许多不同的学科领域，例如社会学，宗教，文化研究，人类学，法律，经济，历史等。如果你有兴趣了解更多或是想做些什么，以下是几点建议：
Definitely be informed! Research whatever questions you have in mind. There is plenty of information online or on books that you can acquire from.
Be an advocate! When you have more knowledge and understanding on this issue, you will be passionate for raising others’ awareness on it as well. All works start with public awareness!
Be a volunteer! There are always various volunteer opportunities posted on different organizations. Check them out if you want to devote your time to help!
Donate! Donation is always needed for the work required. Money given will go straight into solving these injustices.
Shop! Just Like NightLight, many other organizations run in similar ways. You can buy their products like jewelry, scarfs, clothing, and different hand-made ornaments.
Allow your heart be broken! Sometimes you can be so overwhelmed by the stories you read, and it is also meaningful to sit in your heavy feelings and simply mourn over the pain and tragedy that is happening.
