Human trafficking is a modern day form of slavery that is a threat to justice and human rights. This is a major concern that affects men, women and children within their deepest being. Trafficking destroys the quality of life, human dignity, and identity for over 27 million people around the world. This type of Slavery causes long-lasting social, psychological, and physical consequences for the individuals, their families, and all of society. Many of those trapped in this modern-day slavery are poor people who are vulnerable and easily exploited; therefore this is an extremely pertinent development and human rights concern for VIVAT.
What does trafficking in persons mean?
Three main elements are at the core of the definition of human trafficking:
- The actual act of trafficking, including the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons;
- Associated acts such as the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or of a position of weakness or vulnerability, committed without the free and full consent of the trafficked person;
- Exploitation, including at a minimum the exploitation of the prostitution of others (or other forms of sexual exploitation), forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.
It is important to note that if one of the above-mentioned acts has been committed, the victim’s consent is irrelevant.
Key figures
- At any point in time, approximately 2.5 million persons are victims of trafficking, at least one third of whom are trafficked for economic purposes other than sexual exploitation
- The estimated annual profits generated by trafficking in forced laborers:
| Profits per forced laborer in commercial sexual exploitation | Profits per laborer in other forms of economic exploitation | Total profits (million US $) |
|
| Industrialized countries | 67,200 | 30,154 | 15,513 |
| Transition countries | 23,500 | 2,353 | 3,422 |
| Asia | 10,000 | 412 | 9,704 |
| Latin America | 18,200 | 3,570 | 1,348 |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 10,000 | 360 | 159 |
| Middle East | 45,000 | 2,340 | 1,508 |
| World | 31,654 |
Resources
Human Trafficking the Facts
UN. Gift
A project to end Human Trafficking
Front Line
Life Way Network
Trafficking Project
Anti-Slavery International
December 18
Human Rights Watch
International Federation Terre des Hommes
International Labor Organization
UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children
UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children
Stop Trafficking Newsletter
Not For Sale Campaign
Humanity United
How can I help?
- If you live in a country that is a member of the Council of Europe, check whether your government has signed or ratified the Council’s Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, and then join the partner Anti-Slavery International’s campaign
- Check if your country has signed or ratified the Palermo Protocol, and if not, write a letter to your authorities to do so.
- Create a Prayer Card for the victims of human trafficking for personal meditation and distribute it to VIVAT members. Join other members of your community for prayer and action.
- Inform us of cases of trafficking in your area. Contact us for a questionnaire, to help document these cases.
- Check the laws of your country or state regarding trafficking. Work for better laws.