Exploitation is a universal problem that continues to prosper sadly as we move into our future, affecting all races, genders, and religions. In other words, exploitation does not discriminate. In this post, I want to focus on the exploitation form known as domestic servitude. Domestic servitude is a form of trafficking in human beings. Extremely difficult to detect because it is covered up as seemingly ordinary practices and in private residences. For example, nannies or other domestic helpers are workers/helpers who work at their employer’s home who have restrictions on movement, force them to work long hours for little pay, if paid at all, and even subject them to physical suffering and sexual abuse. However, as soon as the employment arrangement transitions into a situation whereby they cannot leave of their free will, it becomes a case of enslavement. Most of the time, it goes undetected, and there are more and more cases of Domestic servitude coming to light, which begs the question is there more of it happening in today’s society, or are we just becoming more aware of it?

In recent research, by 2021, 50 million could live in “modern-day slavery.” According to the latest Global Estimates of Modern Slavery, 28 million were in forced labour and 22 million in forced marriage. In the US, more than 400,00 people could be living in domestic servitude situations. These statistics only give us a general idea of how much domestic servitude happens in our world. Today, I want to look at different forms and cases and see what solutions there could be in place to help prevent more of it from happening.

The most common domestic servitude is people who work in the house, playing various roles, usually put in this position because of debts incurred for their travel and because their identity papers are withheld by their employers. So, because of their vulnerabilities, they are put in this degrading and sad situation, unable to get out of it, severely mistreated, and most commonly also abused. When researching, I came across a case from the united nations website. Her name is Jonalyn. She left her home in the Philippines and traveled to the Middle East to work as a housekeeper for a family in Lebanon. For nearly a year, she suffered severe forms of psychological and physical torture, as well as sexual abuse, at the hands of her employers. When thinking about her experiences, she described having chlorine-based detergent poured over her body and being subjected to electric shocks with a stun gun. As well as being imprisoned on her own for ten days and constantly being threatened with death.

While Jonalyn could contact and get help from the (CLMC), she was provided with medical care, basic needs assistance, trauma counseling, and legal aid. All the great things helped her find a job and start a lawsuit against her previous employers. However, her case is just one, and while she eventually got the help, she had to suffer and endure a lot of mental and psychical pain before she was able to seek help herself.

Another story I want to share is one of Sri Yatun’s escapes, a story I found in the Washington Post. This case was an extreme example of a young immigrant woman being abused and overworked, instilled with fear that she couldn’t leave, except this time, it takes place in Los Angles, and the abuser was a Diplomat. Sri worked for a couple with a baby. She describes wearing this baby as a shield for protection. Except as the baby got older and heavier and became a toddler, he was no longer a form of protection. She was a full-time housekeeper, cook, and nanny and was physically and mentally abused as she was threatened with jail if she stepped outside. Not only did they take away her passport, but they didn’t renew her visa as promised, putting her in potentially more trouble.

While she escaped the diplomat’s work, she still deals with back pain and scars that her abuser put her through. Today, she carries a stun gun with her as protection, and even though she is free, there is deep down the fear that has been instilled in her changing her outlook on life. While she can get compensation for her horrific experience, it will never erase her memory, and no amount of money can make you forget that pain. So, what’s the solution? How can we help people in these situations get out sooner?

What’s a better way for people subjected to domestic servitude to get help sooner?

Well, one solution I think could benefit many in these conditions. It is a technological yet subtle way to get help. Whether it’s a manageable phone number that responds or can send help instantly or an app, it should be broadcasted more and made available to any country. If we talked more about domestic servitude and made others more aware, we would increase the chances of less of it happening.

Growing up, we had sex education, stranger danger, and drug talk. However, we never had a deep discussion about domestic servitude. As a society, we need to see more talk about the dangers of it and how to tell if you think someone is in a situation like that and needs help. If we continued to grow awareness, maybe fewer people would be subjected to it. Not only can the broadcasting help people on the outside get informed, but it can also help insiders know that there are tons of survivors and ways to seek help. We are giving them the confidence to help them overcome their fears and act sooner for their benefit.

Domestic servitude is one of many forms of exploitation in our world—dangerous and frequent today. While there are many severe forms of exploitation, domestic servitude covers a wide range of mistreating others on a wide range. We, young adults and college students, must learn more to help prevent and rehabilitate our present and future victims, hopefully decreasing the amount that it happens.