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Human trafficking

It should not be confused with Illegal human trafficking.

Human trafficking, human trafficking or human trafficking is the illegal movement of human beings for the purposes of labor, mental, reproductive slavery, sexual exploitation, forced labor, removal of organs, or any modern form of slavery against will and well-being. of the human being. Much of human trafficking is carried out for commercial purposes and clandestinely.

Human trafficking is an international crime against humanity and violates a person's human rights. Also, it is called 21st century slavery. It is a violation of human rights that threatens the freedom and dignity of the victims. This includes the illegal recruitment and transportation of people.

The United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (better known as the Protocol against Human Trafficking) was adopted in Palermo Italy in 2000, ratified by Spain in 2003, it is an agreement international annexed to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. The Protocol against Trafficking in Persons is one of the three protocols adopted to facilitate the application of the Convention. The purpose of the agreement is to promote international cooperation, investigations and criminal proceedings against criminals engaged in human trafficking. A first objective is to protect and assist the victims of such crimes in full respect of human rights. It is the first global instrument to combat human trafficking and the only one so far that attributes a universal definition of this phenomenon.

The Protocol makes the following details of interest:

  • "Human trafficking" means the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, using the threat, use of force or other forms of coercion, fraud, deception, abuse of power or a situation of vulnerability, to the granting or receipt of payments or benefits to obtain the consent of a person who has authority over another, for the purposes of exploitation. That exploitation will include; sexual exploitation, forced labor or services (in inhumane conditions and without remuneration), slavery or practices analogous to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.
  • The consent given by the victim of human trafficking to any form of intentional exploitation described in any way will not be taken into account when any of the means stated above has been resorted to.
  • The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of a child for the purposes of exploitation will be considered "human trafficking" even when none of the listed means is used.
  • "Child" means any person identified, through documentation proving their identity, as a person under 18 years of age without a responsible guardian accompanying them.
The difference between human trafficking and smuggling

Human trafficking and smuggling are often confused, but they are two different crimes. It’s important to spot the differences. Learn more:

About Human Trafficking

Human trafficking can occur inside or outside the national territory.

 Human trafficking always involves crossing borders.

Get informed and prevent human trafficking

In human trafficking, the purpose pursued is the exploitation of the victim, who may or may not be a national of the country. In human trafficking, the objective is the illegal entry of the subject into a country of which he is not a national or legal resident and the relationship ends with arrival at the destination.

What is human trafficking?

It is the action of capturing, transporting, transferring, harboring or receiving people, resorting to the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, such as kidnapping, fraud, deception, abuse of power or a situation of vulnerability or the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to obtain the consent of a person who has authority over another for the purposes of exploitation.

Victims can be transported within or outside the country. They are deprived of their freedom in order to be exploited in different ways; Within the country the most recurrent are:

• Labor exploitation.

• Commercial sexual exploitation.

• Guardianship or adoption.

• Forced begging.

• Servile marriage, free or de facto union.

• Employment in criminal activities.

• Organ extraction.

What is human smuggling ?

It is the facilitation of the illegal entry of a person into a State of which said person is not a national or permanent resident, in order to obtain a financial or other material benefit, in most cases the entry is with documents. illegal or without complying with the requirements requested by law. Human trafficking only occurs when a border is crossed.


Differences:

  • Trafficking is a crime against a person and a violation of human rights.
  • Trafficking is a crime against a State and a violation of the immigration laws of a certain country. In both crimes there are criminal networks and organizations that carry out trade operations with human beings.

Human trafficking and smuggling is a crime whose seriousness has been made visible around the world for years. It is perhaps one of the cruelest forms of violence and starkly reflects the civilizational decline of our time, since it violates rights such as freedom, dignity and physical, psychological and mental integrity, and especially affects our girls, boys and teenagers. A few years ago we could not imagine, in our daily lives, that there were human beings capable of carrying out this type of criminal actions, especially against girls and boys; without any consideration or conscience, brutally and mercilessly beating family and friends and causing a degree of stupor and fear in society. But in the last decade, we have understood that this is the reality and that we must prepare the entire society and the institutions to prevent it, combat it and punish it.
The figures that show this crime, while shocking, are just the tip of the iceberg that reveals a problem whose dimensions we can barely glimpse, since the high levels of poverty, the helplessness in which a considerable part of our childhood and adolescence lives, Family disintegration and the tendency to disengage from the family and the social nucleus are situations that facilitate the recruitment and trafficking of human beings whose disappearance is not reported and therefore become invisible victims of the criminal groups that seem to operate in all countries of the world.

The answer is that we can't. There is no way that alone and with our own tools we can control it, much less eradicate it. It is a globalized evil and we must face it together. We have understood that human trafficking constitutes one of the greatest and most cruel violations of human rights, and consistent with this evidence, we have decided to deploy our greatest efforts to confront it with all the instruments that our mandate and our faculties.

We hope that this publication leads to awareness and decision of civil society, judicial, police, military, municipal authorities and authorities of the system of protection of the rights of children and adolescents to build a true culture of protection of human rights.

CONSCIENCE COMMITTED TO HUMAN RIGHTS

a) Foreign trafficking It is carried out between countries. The victims are transferred or displaced to third countries. Generally, the countries of origin are those with poverty and fewer development opportunities, and the destination countries are those with situations that appear to be “greater prosperity.”


b) Internal trafficking It takes place within the country without the need to cross national borders. The victim is transferred from one place to another within the same country. Generally, victims are recruited from regions with a lot of poverty to places with higher incomes. This type of illegal transfers commonly occur from rural areas to urban areas.

Anyone can fall into the networks of traffickers. It doesn't matter your age or your economic condition. Traffickers take advantage of people's naivety, psychological state and need; They sell you dreams and illusions and then exploit you. There are conditions in the individual that can lead to this crime:

• Low self-esteem and the exaggerated search for approval cause high distrust and insecurity, allowing scourges against their humanity.

• Ignorance, naivety and/or excessive trust.

• Lack of trust towards parents or guardians.

• Desire to get money or be fashionable.

• Inadequate management of group pressure, many times adolescents and young people, in order not to lose the relationship with the group they relate to, access and/or tend to follow indifferently the instructions or orders that direct them to activities that promote self-destruction or lead you to commit illicit activities where trafficking organizations or networks operate.

• To avoid this risk, it is important to generate environments of trust and security in girls, boys, adolescents and young people.

• Through a personal approach. The traffickers approach you directly, gain your trust and then convince you to go with them inside or outside the country, and then exploit you.

• Through informal employment agencies. They post ads and offer jobs with excellent remuneration (good salary), with few requirements, no experience and in some cases they offer you to leave your city. The jobs offered are generally for: models, domestic workers, cleaning work, textile workshops, agricultural farms, karaoke service, massage rooms, private clubs, pubs, dancers, escorts, among others.

• Through the media and their advertisements. Human traffickers recruit people through false notices of job offers or other services that they publish in the press, deliver them at the exit of schools, institutes and universities or paste them on light poles, walls, and even through of marriage offer.

  • Through alternative means of information. They use pamphlets and/or flyers that have an advertising nature that are distributed in public places in which something is demanded, recommended, requested, asked or stated in precise terms. In many cases this resource is used to demand and offer sexual services. These messages are anonymous.

• Post a photo of a flyer.

• Through new information and communication technologies. One of the strategies most used by trafficking organizations and networks to contact, seduce and induce victims of human trafficking are New Information and Communication Technologies (NICTs).

• There were several cases where girls, boys and adolescents were captured by Facebook. There are people who pretend to be a person your age and after gaining your trust they want to meet you personally and convince you to go with him or her and they can even kidnap you. That is why it is important that you do not have contact with strangers on social networks. Another common method is the cell phone, they find out your number, they send you text messages with topics that may interest you according to your age or they call you.

• Through the kidnapping or abduction of people. At school exits, on the streets and other crowded places, traffickers subdue victims and force them into cars and then take them to distant places and exploit them.

Traffickers can be known or unknown people, live in your neighborhood, be friends and even family. They usually approach their victims in a kind or friendly way, they offer you invitations, gifts, money, trips, greater job opportunities and a better quality of life, they even offer to process the documentation so you can leave the country. Human trafficking occurs within and outside a country. Traffickers often tell you that money is not a problem, offering to lend you money to pay all travel expenses or pay for it themselves, and then force victims to work without pay to pay off the debt.



How can we prevent cases of human trafficking and smuggling? Through prevention actions: Recommendations for parents:

•Dialogue, communicate and build trust with your children.

•Get to know your daughters' and sons' friends and have their addresses and phone numbers on hand.

•Teach your daughters and sons to distrust strangers and NOT ACCEPT ANY TYPE OF GIFTS from them.

•Recommend your daughters and sons NOT TO ENGAGE IN CONVERSATIONS WITH STRANGERS and much less to provide personal information.

•If your daughter or son was offered a job in another department or country, find out who made the offer and contact that person before making a decision.

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• DO NOT allow your daughters or sons to TRAVEL ALONE or in the company of strangers while they are minors.

• It is important that your daughter or son knows the exact address of your home, as well as the emergency numbers (police, hospital, etc.).

• Have recent photographs of your daughters and sons and save their identification documents.

• Accompany your minor daughters or sons to crowded places, such as: squares, markets, cinemas, public bathrooms, fairs, fleet terminals, etc.

• Do not let your minor daughters or sons attend school alone, pick them up and drop them off at the educational establishment.

• Control your daughters and sons about unlimited access to the Internet and advise them not to send personal information, addresses and personal images through social networks.

• Teach your daughters and sons not to date people they have met online.

• Alert your daughters and sons about the use of photographs on the Internet, especially those that can provide information about the environment in which they operate, such as street names, places where they frequently attend, among others. Talk to them and explain to them that all the information they upload to the network can be consulted by the traffickers themselves.

Recommendations for Adolescents:

• The more alone or lonely you are, the more vulnerable you are and you can be easy prey for deception and the crime of trafficking. This is why it is important that you always tell your parents or people you completely trust if you suspect or have doubts about offers they make to you.

• Do not trust easy offers, they can be organized networks of criminals that operate inside and outside the country

• Do not give your personal information or that of your family to strangers and do not give your documents to anyone.

• Don't go alone to job interviews, ask a family member or friend to accompany you.

• If you are going to travel, a trusted family member should accompany you, find out everything about the department and the country where you will travel. You must know the emergency telephone numbers.

• If you access social networks on the internet, do not give data about your daily activities or places you are going to frequent, much less your residential address.

• Do not give anyone your passport or identification document.

• If you travel, provide all possible and detailed information to your family and friends about your trip, names of contact people, company, agency, telephone numbers, address of the place of lodging, telephone numbers and others.

• If you are asked to give false information when filling out forms, interviews or at any border post to go to another city or country where you are supposed to work, do not do it; ALERT, inform yourself, find out all the details and report.

• If you are asked to give false information when filling out forms, interviews or at any border post to go to another city or country where you are supposed to work, do not do it; ALERT, inform yourself, find out all the details and report.

Human trafficking is one of the worst crimes against people since it violates the right to freedom, dignity and even life itself. Its individual, family and social consequences are devastating and destructive; It turns people into objects of slavery and commerce and causes deep and irreparable damage to families. Even when the person has freed themselves from their captors or traffickers, they suffer consequences such as:

• Irreversible physical injuries and psychological traumas.

• Sexual and reproductive health problems.

• Deterioration of self-esteem and insecurity.

• Fear and noticeable feeling of sadness.

• Self-destructive feelings (they hurt themselves).

• School dropout.

• Early, unwanted pregnancies.

• Alcohol or drug addiction.

• Rejection by the opposite sex.

• Suicides

The main scenarios in which traffickers act to capture their victims are: schools, markets, fairs, bus terminals, plazas, and recreational and entertainment centers. Traffickers look for places with a greater influx of potential people to be victims such as girls, boys, adolescents and young people, especially the female gender, where the characteristics of vulnerability are: innocence, naivety, domestic violence, among others.

  • Catchment

It is the recruitment of victims, through personal approach, through employment agencies, mass media and social networks.

  • Transfer

It is carried out from the victim's place of origin to another place or another country where she will be exploited. This transfer can be made within the same country or between countries.

  • Deception

Refers to false promises of work; promises of excellent salaries, false contracts and non-existent legitimate work.

  • Reception

It is where the victim is received and/or held, generally with deprivation of liberty.

  • Exploitation

In most cases, the purpose of human trafficking is sexual exploitation, labor, begging, servile marriage, adoption or illegal foster care, commission of crimes, marketing of organs and/or fluids.

  • Media

Violence, threats, blackmail, coercion are used and in other cases the captors use subtle forms of capture such as falling in love, selling illusions, promises and deception.

  1. Anyone. If the victim is of legal age, she can do it herself.
  2. When the victim is a girl, boy or adolescent and in case of disability, family members or guardians.
  3. In addition, current public officials and any person who knows, suffers, has escaped or has been a victim has the obligation to report this crime.
  4. If any health official, police officer or educator receives information from a victim, they also have the obligation to report it.

Anyone who, through any means of deception, intimidation, abuse of power, use of force or any form of coercion, threats, abuse of the victim's situation of dependency or vulnerability, will be punished with deprivation of liberty for 10 to 15 years. granting or receiving payments if or by a third person carries out, induces or favors the recruitment, transfer, transportation, deprivation of liberty, shelter or reception of people inside or outside the national territory, even if the consent of the victim is involved, with any of the following purposes:

  1. Sale or other acts of disposal of the human being with or without profit.
  2. Illegal extraction, sale or disposal of body fluids, cells, organs or human tissues.
  3. Reduction to slavery or analogous status.
  4. Labor exploitation, forced labor or any form of servitude.
  5. Customary servitude.
  6. Commercial sexual exploitation.
  7. Forced pregnancy.
  8. Sexual tourism.
  9. Guardianship or adoption.
  10. Forced begging.
  11. Servile marriage, free or de facto servile union.
  12. Recruitment of people for participation in armed conflicts or religious sects.
  13. Employment in criminal activities.
  14. Illicit conduct of biomedical research.
  1. The author, or participant, whether spouse, cohabitant or partner of the victim, is related up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or second degree of affinity, is responsible for the guardianship, custody, conservatorship or education of the victim.
  2. The author is a public servant, enjoys diplomatic immunity, or is a medical professional or similar.
  3. Drugs, medications or weapons are used. 

The penalty is increased from 15 to 20 years when the victim is a child or adolescent, a person with a physical disability, illness or mental deficiency, a pregnant woman, or the perpetrator is part of a criminal organization, a very serious injury occurs or endangers the life, integrity or safety of the victim. 

If the death of the victim occurs as a result of the crime, the penalty provided for the crime of murder will be imposed.

Whoever, through deception, abuse of a situation of need or vulnerability, of a relationship of dependency or power, violence, threat or any other means of intimidation or coercion, to satisfy the desires of others or for profit or benefit, promotes, facilitates or contributes to the prostitution of a person of either sex, or forcing them to remain in it, will be punished with deprivation of liberty for 10 to 15 years.

The prison sentence will be 12 to 18 years when the victim is under 18 years of age, a person who suffers from any type of disability.


The custodial sentence will be 15 to 20 years, if the victim is under 14 years of age, or the perpetrator or participant is the ascendant, spouse, cohabitant, brother, guardian, curator or person in charge of custody of the victim. The same sanction will be imposed on the author or participant who uses drugs, medications and others to force, oblige or subdue the victim.


The custodial sentence will be 8 to 12 years for anyone who, on their own behalf or through third parties, ostensibly or covertly maintains a house or establishment where sexual exploitation and/or commercial sexual violence is promoted.”

Whoever promotes, induces, favors and/or facilitates by any means the illegal entry or exit of a person, in order to directly or indirectly obtain economic benefit for themselves or a third party, will be punished with deprivation of liberty for 5 to 10 years. The penalty will be aggravated by half when:

1. The transport conditions endanger their physical and/or psychological integrity.

2. The author is a public servant.

3. The author is the person in charge of protecting the rights and integrity of people in vulnerable situations.

4. The author would have been part or member of a delegation or diplomatic mission at the time the crime was committed.

5. The crime is committed against more than one person.

6. The activity is habitual and for profit.

7. The author is part of a criminal organization.

The penalty will be aggravated by two thirds when the victim is a child or adolescent, a person with a physical disability, illness or mental deficiency, or is a pregnant woman.

Who promotes, induces, favors and/or facilitates by any means the illegal entry or exit of a person from a department or municipality to another of which said person is not a permanent resident, through deception, violence, threat, in order to obtain direct or indirectly economic benefit for oneself or a third party, will be punished with deprivation of liberty for 4 to 7 years. If, with the purpose of ensuring the result of the action, the victim is subjected to any form of violence or risk situation that results in his or her death, including suicide, the penalty established for the crime of murder will be imposed.

Whoever procures, forces, facilitates or induces by any means, by himself or a third person, another person who does not give consent to perform sexual acts or corporal exhibitionism for lewd purposes with the purpose of video recording, photographing, filming, exhibiting or describing them to through printed advertisements, transmission of data files on a public or communications network, computer, electronic or similar systems, will be punished with a prison sentence of 10 to 15 years. The same sanction will be imposed when the author or participant reproduces or stores, distributes or sells pornographic material. The custodial sentence will be aggravated by one third when:

1. The victim is a child or adolescent or a person with a disability.

2. The perpetrator is a spouse, cohabitant, father, mother or the person who exercises any type of authority or legal responsibility over the victim.

3. The author maintains an employment relationship, blood relationship or affinity with the victim.

4. The victim is a pregnant woman.

5. The author is a public servant.

6. The author is the person in charge of protecting the rights and integrity of people in vulnerable situations.

7. The author would have been part or member of a diplomatic delegation or mission at the time the crime was committed.

8. The crime is committed against more than one person.

9. The activity is habitual and for profit.

10. The author is part of a criminal organization.

11. Whoever buys, rents or sells pornographic material, where images of children and adolescents are displayed, will be punished with a prison sentence of 5 to 8 years.”

Whoever pays in money or kind, directly to a child or adolescent or a third person, to maintain any type of sexual, erotic or pornographic activity with a child or adolescent, for the satisfaction of their sexual interests or desires, will be punished. with deprivation of liberty from 8 to 12 years. The custodial sentence will be aggravated by two thirds, when:

1. The victim is a boy or girl under 14 years of age.

2. The victim has a physical or mental disability.

3. The perpetrator uses any type of substance to control the victim.

4. The author has a contagious disease.

5. As a result of the incident, the victim will become pregnant.

6. The author is a public servant.”

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION 

We are facing child trafficking everywhere, for many years, but I believe that real defenders of children's rights could be part of our fight to put an end to this very delicate cause for everyone, wherever. Without children there will be no schools, there will be no Education, there will be no family, there will be no society, there will be no humanity. 

ENOUGH WITH CHILD TRAFFICKING

More information

The Dark Facade of Illegal Adoption: Trafficking’s Innocent Victims

Adoption is often seen as a beacon of hope for both children in need of a family and for prospective parents longing to care for a child. Unfortunately, there’s a darker side to this narrative that is rarely discussed but is crucial to understand: the trafficking of children under the guise of adoption. This complex and heart-wrenching issue takes advantage of the vulnerable, and it is a global problem that demands our attention.

Child trafficking for illegal adoption is a grim reality that exploits the most innocent members of society. It’s a sophisticated operation where traffickers prey upon children, often selecting them based on age, appearance, and perceived desirability. Some traffickers manipulate parents in dire financial situations, coercing them to give up their children with promises of a better life. Others resort to more sinister methods, such as kidnapping infants directly from hospitals or orphanages.

Conditions that foster child trafficking

Several factors contribute to the trafficking of children for illegal adoption:

  • Poverty and desperation: Families struggling to survive may be deceived by traffickers promising their children education and care.
  • Corruption: Some orphanages and institutions are complicit in the illegal adoption trade, accepting bribes to release children to traffickers.
  • Weak legal frameworks: In countries where adoption laws are not stringent or well-enforced, traffickers find it easier to operate.

Illegal adoptions involve an intricate web of deception. Traffickers often forge birth certificates, falsify adoption papers, and create entire histories to make the children appear legitimately eligible for adoption. These falsifications are not just a few strokes of a pen; they represent a vast, organized criminal network that spans across borders and involves various levels of society, including legal professionals, medical staff, and government officials.

  • The role of dubious institutions

Some orphanages and adoption agencies are, unfortunately, part of the problem. There have been instances where these institutions have been found guilty of ‘child laundering’ – portraying trafficked children as orphans to make them available for international adoption. This not only fuels the trafficking industry but also creates a market where children are treated as commodities.

  • Illustrative cases and global impact

There have been numerous high-profile cases around the world that highlight the severity of this issue. In these cases, children were taken under false pretenses and placed with families abroad who believed they were adopting legally. The impact is twofold: the birth families suffer an irreplaceable loss, and the adoptive families face the emotional turmoil of discovering their child’s adoption was not legitimate.

Fighting this form of trafficking requires a multi-faceted approach. It involves not only strengthening legal frameworks and international cooperation but also raising awareness among prospective adoptive parents and the general public.

  • Preventive measures and legal action

To prevent child trafficking in the adoption process, it is vital to enact and enforce robust laws that protect children and their families. Governments and international bodies must work together to ensure that adoption practices are transparent and regulated.

  • Education and awareness

Prospective adoptive parents should be thoroughly educated about the risks of illegal adoption. They need to understand the importance of working with reputable agencies and the red flags that might suggest a child has been trafficked.

  • Support for affected families

Families who have unknowingly adopted a trafficked child require support and guidance. Organizations and authorities should provide resources to help these families navigate the complex issues they face.

Linking Missing Persons to Human Trafficking Efforts

Have you ever scrolled through social media and come across a post about a missing person? It’s alarming how often these notices appear, and behind each one is a story that could potentially be linked to something as sinister as human trafficking. The challenge law enforcement faces in addressing missing persons in the context of human trafficking is not just a legal issue, but a societal one. It calls for a concerted effort between law enforcement, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the community at large. How do we leverage missing persons reports to aid in the fight against human trafficking? Let’s dive into the strategies and methods that can help turn the tide on this global crisis.

Missing persons cases are often seen as isolated incidents, but they can be indicative of a larger, more disturbing pattern. The sad truth is that many individuals who go missing are at risk of being swept into the dark world of human trafficking. This is where the efforts to find and protect them must be linked with the broader fight against trafficking. The key lies in recognizing patterns, sharing information, and understanding the profiles of those most vulnerable to trafficking networks.

Data linkage between agencies

One major hurdle in connecting missing persons cases to human trafficking is the lack of data linkage between different agencies. Law enforcement units, social services, and NGOs often operate within their own silos, making it difficult to piece together information that could reveal a trafficking operation. By creating a more integrated data-sharing system, these entities can more effectively identify and respond to potential trafficking situations.


Strategic use of technology

Technology can play a pivotal role in tracking and analyzing trends in missing persons cases. From database software that can cross-reference missing persons reports with known trafficking hotspots to social media monitoring that can track the digital footprints of both victims and perpetrators, technology can be a powerful ally in the fight against human trafficking.

Law enforcement agencies are often at the forefront of responding to missing persons reports. Improving their strategies can significantly impact the ability to prevent and investigate human trafficking cases.


Training and awareness

One of the most effective tools in the law enforcement arsenal is training. By equipping officers with the knowledge to recognize signs of trafficking in missing persons cases, they can act more swiftly and decisively. This includes understanding the psychological and emotional states of victims, as well as the tactics used by traffickers to manipulate and control.


Community policing and involvement

Engaging the community is essential for a proactive approach to missing persons and human trafficking. Community policing strategies can foster trust between law enforcement and the public, leading to more reported cases and tips. Moreover, involving community members in watch programs and awareness campaigns can extend the reach of law enforcement’s efforts.

NGOs are often on the ground, working directly with those most at risk for human trafficking. Their role in connecting missing persons cases to trafficking cannot be understated.


Prevention through education

Education is a powerful preventative tool. NGOs can spearhead educational campaigns that inform the public about the risks of human trafficking, how to spot the signs, and what to do if they suspect someone is in danger. This information is vital, especially for vulnerable populations who may be targeted by traffickers.


Supporting victims and their families

NGOs provide invaluable support to victims and their families, often serving as a bridge between them and law enforcement. By offering counseling, legal aid, and other services, NGOs play a critical role in the recovery process and can help ensure that victims do not fall back into the hands of traffickers.

Perhaps the most critical element in linking missing persons cases to human trafficking efforts is cross-agency collaboration. When law enforcement, NGOs, and other stakeholders work together, they create a united front that is much more difficult for traffickers to evade.


Joint task forces and operations

Joint task forces can unite various agencies and organizations with the common goal of dismantling trafficking networks. These operations can be highly effective in rescuing victims and bringing perpetrators to justice.


International cooperation

Human trafficking is a global issue, and so must be the response. International cooperation allows for the sharing of intelligence, resources, and best practices. It also facilitates the extradition of traffickers and the repatriation of victims across borders.

Addressing the issue of missing persons in the context of human trafficking requires a multifaceted approach. By improving data linkage, enhancing law enforcement strategies, involving NGOs, raising public awareness, and fostering cross-agency collaboration, we can create a comprehensive response system. Such a system not only aids in the recovery of missing individuals but also plays a crucial role in the prevention of human trafficking. It’s an ongoing battle, but with continued effort and unity, progress can be made in protecting the vulnerable and dismantling the networks that prey on them.

The human trafficking story arc

Unlike murder, or robbery, human trafficking is not a single event that happens at one specific moment in time. Trafficking occurs through a series of activities that take place over time, throughout the course of a day, for months or even years.

Like any traditional, linear narrative, the story of every sex and labor situation has a beginning, a middle and – we hope – an end. The beginning and middle tend to follow fairly common patterns. How trafficking ends is as unique as the resilient survivors who manage to find their ways to freedom.

Beginning

Recruitment: Human trafficking victims are rarely picked at random. They are targeted for vulnerabilities that make them susceptible to the enticement the trafficker has to offer. That enticement depends on the type of trafficking and the victim.

Grooming: Victims are manipulated slowly and expertly until something they would never ordinarily do or accept becomes something that feels normal and even necessary.

Middle

Trafficking, coercion and control: The methods traffickers use to control victims may include violence, but often do not. Instead, labor trafficking victims are controlled through threats (like the threat of deportation) or economic abuse, such as wage theft and debt bondage. In sex trafficking situations, coercion and control is often a toxic cocktail of violence, confused loyalty, economic or physical need, love, manipulation and abuse.

End

Exit and healing: While there are organizations that claim to “rescue” human trafficking victims, the reality is that adult survivors rescue themselves. That process generally takes place over time as the person in the situation begins to recognize that they want to change the way they are living, or that they are in an abusive job or relationship. Sometimes they seek help and services, and sometimes they make their own ways toward freedom.

Understanding Human Trafficking

Delve into the complex legal frameworks and human rights implications surrounding the illicit trade and exploitation of human beings. This subject sheds light on the critical role of law enforcement and international cooperation in combating this global scourge and protecting victims’ rights.

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Trafficking in the news

The way in which the media covers information about human trafficking is important, not only to learn more about this crime, but also to understand how it operates, the degree of vulnerability of survivors, and how they are revictimized and stigmatized.

Continue reading ​