Human trafficking is the fastest-growing criminal enterprise in the world, generating more than $150 billion annually, yet few people know exactly what it is and who it affects. Use these fast facts to educate yourself and others so we can help address the injustice of human trafficking.
Human trafficking occurs when someone in a position of power exploits an individual in a vulnerable situation, typically for financial gain. Traffickers will use a variety of manipulation tactics to undermine a victim’s autonomy, some of which include lies and manipulation, physical isolation, and theft of personal identification documents.
Source: United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime
Labor trafficking and sexual exploitation are the two widely accepted categories of human trafficking, but there are countless, unique manifestations of this human rights abuse. Specific types of trafficking include, but are not limited to: involuntary domestic servitude, forced marriage, child soldiering, forced begging, forced criminal activity, and organ trafficking.
Source: Human Trafficking Center
Women are being victimized with growing frequency, both for sexual exploitation, involuntary domestic servitude, and forced marriages. In areas of armed conflict, forced marriages are especially prevalent, and minority women are usually common targets.
Source: NPR
One misconception people tend to have about human trafficking is that it only
occurs to individuals in urban areas and that the United States is only a transit country. However, cases of American citizens have been reported in urban, suburban, and rural areas all across the United States.
Source: Polaris Project
Mis- and under-identification of victims make it extremely difficult to understand the breadth and extent of human trafficking. But most researchers and advocates agree that the crime affects tens of millions of individuals, including the 24.9 million trapped in labor trafficking alone.
Source: International Labor Organization, Global Slavery Index
The 2016 UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons reveals a steady increase in child trafficking in the last decade. For example, in 2004, children made up 13% of all documented trafficked persons. Now, girls alone make up 23%.
Source: United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime
Most countries now have anti-trafficking laws. Additionally, data collection regarding both traffickers and victims is becoming more comprehensive and sophisticated. These two things are allowing nations to build capacity to identify and respond appropriately to this serious injustice and help end the cycle of trafficking.
Source: NPR
Our incredible nonprofit partners tackle the injustice of human trafficking in a variety of ways, such as through educational prevention efforts in Thailand, providing healthcare and rehabilitation in Kosovo, and much more. No matter where or how, our nonprofit partners are committed to serving the most vulnerable in their communities.
Source: GlobalGiving Learn Library
While many of these facts are daunting, countless individuals and organizations are already on the ground helping to prevent and fight human trafficking. Whether it’s through legislation, education, or grassroots efforts, fighting a human rights issue of this magnitude requires experts on all fronts. Thankfully, various GlobalGiving partners are engaging the fight from all angles, all over the world.
Support local nonprofits working to end human trafficking today.
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