Human Trafficking

On this page:

  • What is human trafficking

  • Victims of human trafficking

  • Who doers the trafficking

  • Types of Trafficking

  • Sources of Support (under construction)

  • Coming soon

What is human trafficking?

Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons, is a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labour or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts. The coercion can be subtle or overt, physical, or psychological.  (Exploitation of a minor for commercial sex is human trafficking, regardless of whether any form of force, fraud, or coercion was used.) US Department of Justice

Human trafficking is essentially the exploitation and abuse of human beings for profit.

There are at least four areas of trafficking identified by the UN, each deserving individual attention:

·         exploitation of the prostitution of others and other forms of sexual exploitation;

·         forced labour or services;

·         slavery, servitude, or practices similar to slavery and servitude;

·         the removal of organs.

Whilst trafficking often happens internationally, don’t be fooled into complacency: it can happen within State/country borders.

Some people may not be victims of human trafficking but still be victims of modern slavery if they have been subject to slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.

Note that human trafficking is not the same as human smuggling.

Victims of Human Trafficking

Victims of human trafficking can be anyone. Traffickers prey upon people’s vulnerabilities.

As a consequence, certain groups are particularly  - but not exclusively - vulnerable to trafficking (and other forms of grooming):

·         People living in poverty or poor conditions, including war torn areas;

·         The socially excluded;

·         People who’ve been through the juvenile justice system;

·         Runaways and homeless people, and people in social care;

·         People with no legal immigration status;

·         Workers in the ‘informal economy’ and the long term ‘unemployed’;

·         Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) individuals;

·         Migrant workers;

·         Disabled and statemented individuals;

·         People with substance abuse (including alcohol) issues.

They can be coerced through fear, falsely offered opportunities for a better life (contracts, work or emigration), or sucked into false relationships.

Surprisingly, just over 10% of people being trafficked fell into the upper middle and high income groupings in 2021 - a figure believed to be rising according to Salvation Army statistics.

Anyone, including UK nationals - even UK nationals in the UK - can be a victims and rejecting offers of help does not mean that they are not to be considered victims.

Who does the trafficking?

Traffickers are anyone who recruits, transports, transfers, harbours or receives the victims of trafficking.

Whether they threaten or use force, coerce, abduct, commit fraud,  deceive, take or receive payments,  they are part of the problem.

According to the US Department of Justice:

“People often incorrectly assume that all traffickers are males; however, the United States has prosecuted cases against women traffickers. Traffickers can be pimps, gang members, diplomats, business owners, labour brokers, and farm, factory, and company owners.”

Sources of Support

Under construction

Read on..

  • Fence

    EU backs law against forced labour

    BBC article: “Environmental and human rights campaigners welcomed the move to improve firms' accountability, but voiced disappointment with the draft law.”

    Read more: EU backs law against forced labour

  • Walk free logo

    The Walk Free Global Slavery Index

    Walk Free is an international human rights group focussed on the eradication of modern slavery.

    They produce regular statistics and monitors: Global Slavey Index

Laws around the World (English Speaking)

US flag

Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act

Australian flag

Modern Slavery Act

Flag of Canada

Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act

South African flag

Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act

British Flag

Modern Slavery Act 2015

Advanced

Coming soon:

  • Avoiding beeing groomed into trafficking

  • More sources of support

  • Legal situation

  • Articles and research