Human trafficking is a term used for a form of extreme exploitation in acts against their will. While ‘labor’ or ‘service’ usually refers to consensual employment, trafficking aspects involve the use of force, coercion or deception practices (What is Human Trafficking?, 2023; Wooditch & Steverson, 2023). The coercion can be psychological or physical, subtle or overt. Anyone can be a potential victim of human trafficking regardless of their sex, gender, age, socio-economic status, or nationality. However, vulnerable populations like migrant workers, especially women, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, young people, and children, are most frequently targeted by traffickers (Human Trafficking, n.d.). The UN has divided human trafficking into various sectors, including forced labor and unauthorized services. (Wooditch & Steverson, 2023). The following text portrays the processes of systemic exploitation, and the targeting of vulnerable populations. Additionally it contains some examples of marginalization, and restricted personal agency including references to sexual, emotional, and physical violence, abuse, human trade, and forced medical procedures that are not detailed.
Framing & Perspectives
The victims, usually driven by unfavorable living conditions, seek out the services and assistance of the traffickers, often oblivious to their real intentions (What is Human Trafficking?, 2023). Most of them are unaware of the real purpose behind their recruitment. Their main concern is the opportunity to leave behind their poor and unstable backgrounds and move to new, highly developed environments (Protection against false promises during your journey, n.d.).
After the recruitment process, they are transported by special transnational routes. Although some of the victims make this decision voluntarily, the reality is that a significant number of them are being scammed, bribed (most often by false job prospects, visas, or passports), and even kidnapped (Human Trafficking, n.d.). Children are mostly sold or sent somewhere with false promises of a better life. Placing “extra children” (refers to children coming from large families) into domestic service, frequently for extended periods, is a part of domestic servitude. Often, they are forced to work in dangerous and unsafe working conditions for extremely long hours. Such are their roles in the manufacturing operations and the entertainment and sex industry (Wooditch & Steverson, 2023). The wages are usually little to nothing. The recruitment process can be done both online and offline – online by using well-known social media platforms and offline by meeting in person. This includes even people who are close to the victims or their acquaintances. Unlike common beliefs about male traffickers, there is no specific identity profile
Due to these factors, there is a high degree of delusion. While often members of gangs and related networks have this role, traffickers can also include women and even family members, friends, youth, and well-respected community members (Wooditch & Steverson, 2023).
Relevance
Human trafficking is considered a global problem that affects people of all ages. It is a well-organized and highly structured criminal activity. Approximately 1,000,000 people are trafficked each year across the globe (What is Human Trafficking?, 2023). Between 20,000 and 50,000 are trafficked into the United States, widely known as the largest destination for victims of the sex trafficking trade. Even though human trafficking is not a new concept, the rise of collaborative efforts to decrease it started during the mid-90s (Human Trafficking, n.d.). Apart from growing public awareness of human trafficking, criminal networks continue to transport an increasing number of migrants over considerable distances. For these networks to be able to keep up with this trafficking, they need good organizational strategies and significant financial resources.
Keywords: Coercion, Sexual Abuse, Emotional And physical Violence, Forced Labor, Slavery, Sex Traffic, Labor Exploitation
Connected terms: Victim Blaming, Sexism, Reproductive Rights, Bodily Autonomy, Gender-Based Violence, Unionisation
References
Human Trafficking. (n.d.). National Human Trafficking Hotline. https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/type-trafficking/human-trafficking
Refugee.info Italy. Protection against false promises during your journey – what is human trafficking? (n.d.). https://italy.refugee.info/en-us/articles/6128236246551
U.S. Department of Justice. What is Human Trafficking? (2023, June 26). https://www.justice.gov/humantrafficking/what-is-human-trafficking
Wooditch, A. C., & Steverson, L. A. (2023, November 26). Human trafficking | Definition, tactics, statistics, types, examples, & facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/human-trafficking
