What Is Human Trafficking

Human trafficking definition and types

• Legal definition of human trafficking: Human trafficking is defined as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons through force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of exploitation

• Primary types of human trafficking:

  • Sex trafficking: Inducing commercial sex acts by force, fraud, or coercion, or involving minors
  • Labor trafficking: Recruiting, harboring, transporting, or obtaining people for labor or services through force, fraud, or coercion

• Additional type of human trafficking: Trafficking for the removal of organs

Key characteristics of human trafficking

• Exploitation: Traffickers exploit victims for profit, often through physical and psychological violence

• Vulnerability: Traffickers target marginalized or vulnerable individuals, including undocumented migrants and those in desperate need of employment

• Global scale: Human trafficking affects people of all genders, ages, and backgrounds worldwide

• Organized crime: Human trafficking is a highly structured criminal activity, recognized alongside drugs and arms trafficking

Tactics used by human traffickers

• Deception: Traffickers often promise high-paying jobs, loving relationships, or exciting opportunities

• Coercion: Use of threats, force, or abuse of power to control victims

• Technology: Traffickers utilize the Internet and employment agencies to recruit victims

Statistics and demographics of human trafficking

• Gender distribution: In 2020, female victims made up 42% of detected victims, while male victims accounted for 23%

• Child victims: The share of detected child victims has tripled over the past 15 years

• Prevalence: Sex trafficking constitutes an estimated 58% of all trafficking activities

Legal framework and response to human trafficking

• International protocol: The UN established the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children in 2000

• U.S. legislation: The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and its subsequent reauthorizations define and criminalize human trafficking

• Global monitoring: The U.S. State Department issues an annual Trafficking in Persons Report, ranking countries based on their efforts to combat human trafficking

Prevention and combating strategies for human trafficking

• Multi-agency approach: The most effective way to detect and investigate human trafficking is through collaborative efforts involving federal, state, local, and tribal partners

• Primary prevention: Strategies should focus on strengthening individual knowledge, promoting community education, and influencing policy

• Awareness campaigns: Initiatives like the Blue Campaign raise public awareness and provide resources for recognizing and reporting suspected instances of human trafficking

FAQ

What is human trafficking?

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery involving the exploitation of people for labor, services, or commercial sex through force, fraud, or coercion. It's a global issue that affects millions of people, with traffickers targeting vulnerable individuals for profit.

What is the legal definition of human trafficking?

The legal definition of human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons through force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of exploitation. This definition is recognized internationally and forms the basis for laws and policies combating human trafficking.

What are the main types of human trafficking?

The two primary types of human trafficking are sex trafficking and labor trafficking. Sex trafficking involves inducing commercial sex acts by force, fraud, or coercion, or involving minors. Labor trafficking involves recruiting, harboring, transporting, or obtaining people for labor or services through force, fraud, or coercion. A less common type is trafficking for organ removal.

How prevalent is human trafficking globally?

Human trafficking is a widespread issue affecting people of all genders, ages, and backgrounds worldwide. According to recent statistics, sex trafficking constitutes an estimated 58% of all trafficking activities. The share of detected child victims has tripled over the past 15 years, highlighting the growing concern for vulnerable youth.

What strategies are used to combat human trafficking?

Strategies to combat human trafficking include a multi-agency approach involving federal, state, local, and tribal partners for detection and investigation. Primary prevention focuses on strengthening individual knowledge, promoting community education, and influencing policy. Additionally, awareness campaigns like the Blue Campaign raise public awareness and provide resources for recognizing and reporting suspected instances of human trafficking.