What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is a complex issue with a diverse range of victims and circumstances. Human trafficking is a global issue and happens in almost every country. It is a heinous crime, and many people refer to it as modern-day slavery. A very high percentage of victims are women and children although anyone can fall prey to this horrifying reality.
Traffickers coerce a person to provide labour or services or to engage in commercial sex acts. Coercion can be subtle or overt, physical, or psychological.
Victims of Human Trafficking
Anyone can become a victim of human trafficking. There is no single profile, and victims can be anyone, regardless of race, nationality, colour, age, religion or gender. Human traffickers do however prey upon those who are vulnerable. They target members of marginalized communities including children in welfare systems and homeless youth. They also prey on those who do not have lawful immigration status and runaway youth.
Traffickers around the world prey on vulnerable individuals. Poverty, lack of immigration status, limited English proficiency and limited economic and educational opportunities are considered vulnerabilities and traffickers target and deceive these victims. They offer false promises of love a stable job and a good life. The victims are then lured or forced into situations where they must work under awful conditions with little or no pay.
Human Trafficking Industries
Victims of human trafficking can be found in both legal and illegal labour industries. This includes childcare, elder care, massage clinics, the drug trade, nail, and hair salons, hotels, and factories. In some situations, victims are hidden behind doors in domestic servitude in a home. Other victims are in plain view and interact with people every day. They are forced to work under horrible circumstances in factories, exotic dance clubs or restaurants.
Victims are often exploited for commercial sex in different contexts including on the street, in brothels, and illicit massage parlours. Victims are also often forced to work as escorts.
Traffickers
Perpetrators of human trafficking vary. They can be family members, partners, acquaintances and strangers. There is no one type of human trafficking perpetrator and the person can act alone or as part of an organized criminal enterprise. It is often assumed that all traffickers are male although there are many women traffickers as well. Traffickers can be anyone from pimps and gangsters to diplomats and business owners.
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If you are interested in learning more about human trafficking, Collaborative Community Solutions can provide you with the information you need. We offer consulting, public speaking and training services. Contact us today to learn more about our approach.
