Wikipedia’s definition of human trafficking is “the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labour, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others. This may encompass providing a spouse in the context of forced marriage, or the extraction of organs or tissues, including for surrogacy and ova removal.”
The 2019 Trafficking in Persons Report states “The Government of Bahrain fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. The government continued to demonstrate serious and sustained efforts during the reporting period; therefore, Bahrain remained on Tier 1. Additionally, Article 325 of the penal code prescribed imprisonment of two to seven years for forced prostitution and three to 10 years if the victim was a child.”
In 2019, Bahrain’s Interior Ministry reported 19 potential cases of trafficking, 16 for sex trafficking and three for forced labour, a drop from the 2018 figure of 31, the US State Department found.
Social media and social apps have paved the way for deviants to plant themselves firmly into the daily life of the intended victim – through private messages, videos, photos, etc – serving to maintain open lines of communication with great charisma. As they learn more about their target, these predators gradually separate their target first emotionally and eventually physically from the trusted people around them.
Some experts define them as having a personality disorder. APD (Antisocial Personality Disorder) is a DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition), diagnosis assigned to individuals who habitually and pervasively disregard or violate the rights and considerations of others without remorse. Antisocial personality disorder/sociopaths/psychopaths possess a superficial charm, they can be thoughtful and cunning, and have an intuitive ability to rapidly observe and analyse others, determine their needs and preferences, and present it in a manner to facilitate manipulation and exploitation – it cannot be cured. So, the discussion of nurture versus nature continues.
Eric Marlowe Garrison, a sex counsellor and author said “grooming is the slow, methodical, and intentional process of manipulating a person to a point where they can be victimised. After [the perpetrators] find their targets, they then gain trust and move in from there.”
Current global challenges have increased usage of technology. Working across borders with ease during this time has increased the possibility for predators to gain direct access to their prey. These manipulators have numerous goals but their ultimate aim is total control. Some want to radicalise, others entice young people (usually women) and others supply “paedophiles”. There are now young academics suggesting that “paedophilia is an orientation (or preference)” thus, defending deviant behaviour. These predators have mastered the art of grooming by building a trusted relationship with their target. Their network and methods are convoluted to desensitise victims, often by sharing carnal and/or violent images and videos. They encourage secrecy to gain the trust of the victim... and so the game begins.
Social media makes people and information accessible. However, it also allows anonymity and private communiqué where groomers through secretive conversations begin a process of desensitising their subject and instigate risk-taking behaviour.
Thankfully, in Bahrain, we live under sound security and genuine care. People don’t vanish without a trace, nor are abductions a common living reality as in many other countries across the globe. In the rare incidents where minors have been “snatched”, police have recovered them swiftly before they were harmed.
Psychologists recommend people maintain an open dialogue within entrusted circles of family and friends and monitor behaviour that deviates from the norm. Technology has offered us freedom to work with each other across the globe. The advancement is magnificent and has so much to offer in terms of service, health, education and keeps us connected globally. We just need to stay alert to the hazards.
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