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Human trafficking is currently among the fastest growing crimes world-wide. Those hit hardest are the most vulnerable members within the population, typically children. UNICEF estimates there are more than 2 million child trafficking victims resulting in profits of $12 billion. Child Trafficking Child trafficking takes on many forms. Common examples include children sold to become: - Sex-Slaves - Child-Soldiers - Free labor in sweat shops Sources of organs used for medical purposes or sacrificial rituals Child victims rarely try to escape, despite mental and physical abuse, scared into submission with threats of harm befalling relatives unless they submit. They’re also brainwashed to believe their families won’t want them anymore. Estimates of Trafficking Based on the 2012 executive summary from the ILO (United Nations), estimates of trafficking of by category are as follows: Forced/Bonded Labor - 5.7 million children are estimated to be affected with 5.5 million found in the Asian-Pacific region. While evidence of forced/bonded labor exists for African, Latin American and Developing regions no reliable estimates exist. Armed Conflict-The ILO estimates that 300,000 children are used as soldiers worldwide, the majority found in Africa and Asian-Pacific regions. Prostitution/Pornography -Of 1.8 million children estimated to be sold into the sex trade, the majority of victims have been located in Latin America/Caribbean, Asian-Pacific and Developed/Industrialized regions. Illicit Activities -It is estimated that 600,000 children are forced to engage in illicit activities, particularly the drug trade, primarily accounted for by Asian-Pacific, Latin-American/Caribbean and Developed Industrialized regions. The committee warns that these numbers represent significant underestimates, as trafficking of children is hidden and it’s impossible to obtain estimates in many regions. Thus, while it appears certain regions bear the stigma of having the highest number of child trafficking victims, which is likely because these are regions that could be covertly monitored. In addition these estimates don’t include children trafficked for the purposes of skin and organ harvesting, Internet pedo-criminality, or ritualized abuse. What Can Be Done to Combat Human Trafficking? The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, passed in 2000 by the U.N., is an international legal agreement to increase persecution and punishment of perpetrators of human trafficking. Yet, the prevalence of child trafficking has seen little reduction over the past decade. Before action can be taken globally, concerted efforts to identify the extent of the crime world-wide is needed to ascertain necessary steps to combat it. Citizens need to become aware of the problem, support international law enforcement teams, and become vocal advocates with their legislators in an effort to remove the benefits of child trafficking. More effective methods to prevent child abduction also need to be developed and practiced. Finally, treatment methods addressing the physical and psychological suffering of recovered children must be a greater focus.
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