Human trafficking is an unfortunate and illegal form of modern-day slavery It involves the trafficking of people for the purpose of exploiting them and, in some cases, kidnapping them. People can be trafficked in order to be exploited as forced labor, sex workers, or to be used by organ harvesters. This crime often occurs in the dark and is often difficult to identify. Traffickers often use their victims’ vulnerability to their advantage and exploit them to make a profit.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) defines human trafficking as “the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.”
Example 1: Labor Trafficking
Labor trafficking is a form of human trafficking that forces individuals to work against their will and often under false pretences. This type of trafficking is particularly dangerous as traffickers are often able to manipulate the victims into believing that their safety depends on their cooperation. In some cases, victims are promised a job in a developed country, are forced to work long hours for little pay, and are threatened with violence if they try to escape or speak out.
Example 2: Sex Trafficking
Sex trafficking is one of the most common forms of human trafficking and involves the exploitation of people for the purpose of sexual exploitation. This form of trafficking often involves the luring of vulnerable individuals and then transporting them to different locations. Women, children, and marginalized individuals are particularly vulnerable to this crime as they often lack opportunities to seek help or escape. Women and children are often promised better job opportunities or promised a better life and then sold into the sex trade.
Example 3: Forced Marriage Trafficking
Forced marriage trafficking is one of the more insidious forms of human trafficking and involves the forced marriage of people against their will. Often times, this type of trafficking occurs across borders and is a form of human trafficking that is not often talked about. Victims of forced marriage trafficking are often vulnerable and are promised a better life. Unfortunately, these victims are instead forced into a life of servitude and marriage to an individual they do not know or understand. Forced marriage trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery and needs to be addressed head on.
Example 4: Domestic Servitude Trafficking
Domestic servitude trafficking is a form of human trafficking that often involves the exploitation of individuals to perform domestic duties such as childcare, cooking, cleaning, and gardening. It specifically targets women and children and is often difficult to identify as traffickers exploit the victims’ vulnerability and fear of repercussions if they speak out. In some cases, domestic servitude trafficking is also linked to sex trafficking as victims are often forced to perform sexual acts not just for their “employer” but also for other people.
Example 5: Child Trafficking
Child trafficking is a particularly heinous form of human trafficking as it specifically targets the most vulnerable individuals of society. It often involves the luring of children away from their families under false pretences and then exploiting them for forced labor, sexual exploitation, or forced marriage. It is an especially difficult crime to prevent as traffickers often operate in the dark and are able to manipulate their victims into submission. Unfortunately, this type of trafficking is a global issue and affects millions of children around the world every year.