Hidden in Plain Sight, by Kimberly Mehlman-Orozco

Criminologist Dr. Kimberly Mehlman-Orozco, who teaches at George Mason University, wants to shed some light on the often overlooked problem of modern-day slavery.  In Hidden in Plain Sight: America's Slaves of the New Milennium Dr. Mehlman-Orozco reveals the sometimes surprising extent to which slavery, in one form or another, exists in the United States.  She writes that "slavery is not a thing of the past and . . . there are more slaves today than at any other time in human history."

The first thing that comes to many people's mind when the subject of slavery or human trafficking comes up is sex slavery.  In fact, about half of Hidden in Plain Sight deals with various forms of sex trafficking.  One of the problems with examining sex trafficking is the fact that in many places prostitution is legal, and even in places where it's illegal, some sex workers choose the trade voluntarily.  Not only consumers but also law enforcement sometimes have distinguishing between  trafficked and voluntary sex workers.

But in many cases, it's very clear.  Women from impoverished circumstances, addicts, and, obviously, children, are in no position to consent to sex, yet they are subject to the sex industry in the U.S. and around the world.  Dr. Mehlman-Orozco evaluates the testimony of sex workers, accounts by consumers, and other sources such as law enforcement and traffickers to give an in-depth sense of the extent of the industry and the prevalence of trafficking.  Her accounts are heart-breaking.  The frank testimonials of the consumers are shocking.  The problem is widespread.  While I appreciated the details she goes into, at times I felt like she could have been more discreet.  Someone who is looking for illicit sex has, in a sense, a how-to guide here, including web sites to go to for seeking out sexual encounters.

Besides sex slavery, a wide variety of more conventional industries sometimes use trafficked labor.  Domestic servants, door-to-door sales teams, nail salon employees, cocoa harvesters and other agricultural workers, and others are sometimes held under the thumb of their employers.  The workers may have come from other countries or from a rough home life, having heard promises of education, money, citizenship, and other enticements.  Once the employers have control of the trafficked individuals, they restrict their movement, confiscate passports, control their access to money, and charge them for living expenses and transportation, using these means to keep them enslaved.

Hidden in Plain Sight is sobering, even shocking at times.  Most of all, though, Dr. Mehlman-Orozco demonstrates the pervasiveness of human trafficking.  In the sex trade, even the legal trade bolsters illegal sex trafficking.  And in other parts of the economy, "the use of slave labor has grown to such magnitude that consuming products of human trafficking is almost unavoidable."  Every time we eat chocolate, get dressed, or get our nails done, we may be supporting human trafficking.  Hidden in Plain Sight is an important source for awareness, as well as a resource for professionals and activists who want to help.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!