What Is Human Trafficking: Understanding and Sensemaking the Problem

Understanding Human Trafficking: A Deep Dive into Modern Slavery

Trigger Warning: The following article contains descriptions and statistics related to human trafficking, including sexual exploitation, forced labor, and abuse. Some content may be distressing to readers. Please proceed with caution.

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This is the first blog in the 3-part series of The Myosotis Project’s collaboration with Youth x Youth. This blog series uses the Youth x Youth pedagogy of What Is, What If, and What Now, combined with The Myosotis Project’s mission of raising awareness and combating human trafficking. In this first blog, we begin by understanding and making sense of the problem of human trafficking.

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“If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong,” said Abraham Lincoln in 1864. Yet even today, after 160 years, we face the sufferings and challenges of modern slavery – human trafficking. In this article, we will explore human trafficking, its causes, real-life scenarios, and its impact.

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According to the International Labour Organization, there are 49.6 million victims of modern slavery, with more than 54 percent being women. Arab States, Europe, and Central Asia are the most prevalent regions. The issue concerns people of all incomes, including high, upper-middle, middle, lower-middle, and low (International Labour Organization, 2023a). No continent, no country, no city is an exception. Human trafficking happens on a global front.

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What is Human Trafficking?

According to Oxford Languages Dictionary, human trafficking is “the unlawful act of transporting or coercing people in order to benefit from their work or service, typically in the form of forced labour or sexual exploitation.” (Oxford Languages, n.d.)

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Aside from sex and labor trafficking — which includes debt bondage, domestic servitude, forced begging, and the use of child soldiers — victims are also targeted for organ trafficking. Although this issue is often overlooked, it is increasingly urgent and demands greater attention.

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Statistics

30.2 million victims (75%) are aged 18 or older, with the number of children under the age of 18 estimated at 10.1 million (25%). Here are some statistics to better explain the severity of the problem. 

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• 37% of victims of trafficking in forced marriage were children.
• 21% of victims of sexual exploitation were children.
• 71% of trafficking victims around the world are women and girls and 29% are men and boys.

• 64% (16 million) forced labor victims to work in domestic work, construction, or agriculture.
• 19% (4.8 million) persons in forced sexual exploitation.
• 16% (4 million) persons in forced labor imposed by state authorities.
• 12% of forced labor victims are children.
• 63% of forced labor happens in the private economy.
• 236 billion US dollars are generated in illegal profits every year.
• 27.6 million people are exploited for labor.
• 17.3 million are in forced marriage.

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Human trafficking is a violation of human rights and a terrible crime that exploits millions of people worldwide. Understanding the causes of human trafficking is essential in the fight to prevent it. Several factors contribute to the persistence of this issue:

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Causes

According to the UNODC, there are four main causes of human trafficking, including:

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1. Poverty. 

As mentioned above, many victims face human trafficking due to financial reasons. Whether it is organ sale, labor, or sexual exploitation, the main reason they are subject to manipulation is usually poverty.

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2. Oppression.

Gender Oppression: In societies where women and girls are marginalized, they are more susceptible to being trafficked for sexual exploitation or forced labor.

Ethnic or Racial Oppression: Minority groups who face discrimination may have fewer economic opportunities and protections, making them easier targets for traffickers.

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3. Lack of human rights.

When individuals or groups are denied basic human rights – such as the right to freedom, security, and protection under the law – they are more vulnerable to exploitation. People may not have the legal means to fight back against traffickers. Victims may not receive help or protection from authorities, especially if law enforcement is corrupt or complicit.

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4. Lack of social or economic opportunity.

In areas with limited access to education, jobs, and economic resources, people may see migration or risky opportunities as their only way out of poverty. Traffickers exploit this by offering false promises of employment, education, or better living conditions. Lack of education limits knowledge of rights and opportunities, making individuals more susceptible to traffickers' manipulative tactics. And poverty leads people to be ready for anything, making them vulnerable to exploitation.

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Additionally, other factors cause human trafficking as well:

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5. Corruption.

Corruption with law enforcement and governments can facilitate trafficker’s job. When officials turn a blind eye to human trafficking, it makes the issue more challenging to combat as there is no law enforcement.

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6. Cultural and Social Norms.

In some regions, child marriage, forced labor, and other social practices are normalized, perpetuating an environment that is tolerant towards exploitation and the violations of human rights.

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7. Gender-based violence and Gender Inequality

Gender-based violence and discrimination create environments where traffickers can more easily exploit women and girls.

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8. Demand.

Most importantly, the demand for cheap labor, sexual services, and illicit goods drives human trafficking. Industries and individuals seeking to maximize profits often turn to trafficked individuals to reduce costs. This demand creates a market for traffickers to supply vulnerable individuals who are exploited for financial gain.

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Human Trafficking and Other Social Justice Issues

These are the most direct causes. However, human trafficking is also linked to other social injustices and deep-rooted problems in our society.

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Patriarchy, gender-based discrimination, oppression, and relevant societal norms contribute significantly to the fact that 71% of human trafficking victims are women and girls (Stop the Traffik, n.d). In most countries of the world, sexual exploitation, forced marriage, and other forms of human trafficking are illegal and are subject to punishment by the court and the laws of the country. However, societal norms normalize the oppression of women, making excuses such as tradition for violations of human rights, and therefore worsening the issue.

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Corruption also contributes highly to human trafficking, of all sorts. A system only works when the guilty are punished; but when criminals are left unconvicted, unjudged, and cases neglected, victim rates skyrocket. As time passes by, the issue will be normalized more as well, exacerbating the problem.

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The lack of education is crucial and one of the main causes of human trafficking. This social issue is deeply linked to human trafficking, as it is also related to another social issue – poverty. The lack of education limits one’s awareness of human trafficking, creating more risks for them and an inability to seek help. They also lack the resources and have limited access to better economic opportunities, leaving them in an endless cycle of poverty and slavery.

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Poverty is one of the reasons that drives human trafficking. Lack of resources and education makes victims more vulnerable and hopeful to fake jobs, studies, and other promises, encouraging them to take risks and trafficking them.

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Racism and ethnic discrimination make minority groups targets of traffickers. As they are more likely to lack legal protection or social support, migrants and refugees especially, are at high risk of getting exploited due to their vulnerable position. Systemic discrimination heightens their risks, making them “perfect” targets for human traffickers.

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Social stigmatization and shame cause human trafficking to be harder to combat. Especially victims of sexual exploitation, often face stigma and shame, which can lead to social isolation and make it difficult for them to reintegrate into society or access support services. Societal attitudes and norms that blame victims for their exploitation can hinder efforts to support survivors and hold traffickers accountable.

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To effectively combat human trafficking, we must recognize that it is deeply connected with other social issues. By addressing these challenges, we fight against human trafficking as well.

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How does Human Trafficking Occur?

There are myths concerning human trafficking. Although there are cases where children are snatched off the streets, most of them are not as simple as we see…

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“The Job Offer”

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~ 1 ~

Lily had been unemployed for a few weeks now. She needed a job, so she posted her resume on several job posting platforms. She gets a phone call “Congratulations! We are interested in you,” overjoyed, Lily did not even think how her fate would turn in just a few days. “We provide housing and food, and even visa support for abroad!” Overwhelmed with happiness, she accepts the offer and cluelessly sits on the plane to “abroad”. That’s when her sexual trafficking nightmares began, in Myanmar, where she was bound to work day and night, without rest, because the employer threatened to report her illegal stay in the country.

~ 2 ~

Jason and Angela live in Mexico, where visiting the U.S. is a close but seemingly unreachable luxury… Until they hear from a “friend” that it is not as unreachable, who offers to help them cross the borders of the United States, asking for a small fee in return. Jason and Angela thanked him and gave all their savings, hoping for a bright future. They were smuggled through the border, in the back of a truck with other migrants. When they finally crossed the border, Jason and Angela were taken to a house, where they were bound to debt. They were legally staying in the United States, and they had the visas and all, but they were told that the “service fees” cost 100,000 USD, which they had to pay with work, from their salary. That would take almost 10  years of labor to pay back everything.

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~ 3 ~

Alex was struggling to stay clean from drugs and joins a spiritual community that lives under the guidance of a charismatic leader. Then he was put to work making and selling crafts in abusive conditions for no pay. Those who complained were expelled from the community, which they had come to depend upon to maintain sobriety. When Alex collapsed from exhaustion, hospital staff recognized he needed help and connected him with services.

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“The Loverboys”

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~ 1 ~

Maria has dated John for a couple of months. She is from a low-income family, so after dating for some time and winning her trust, he invited her to live with him in a “better life” in a different city. Maria sat on the plane with him, happy and content, full of hopes for their future. But then when they set off the plane he took all her documents, sent her to a trafficker, and went on with his life, unpunished. Maria’s life was under sexual exploitation and desperation, which she struggled for decades until reaching freedom.

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~ 2 ~

Alice was a high school senior student and started dating a young man from university. She thought everything was so sweet, letting the boy manipulate and deceive her, tricking her into sending him explicit pictures of her. Then, he asked for money, or else he would blackmail her using the images. When she explained that she had none, he took her to a human trafficker and demanded she work under sexual exploitation until she worked off her debts. That’s when he would delete the pictures, he said. Which he never did. Alice had to contact her parents and the authorities to get out of the situation, sending the man to jail.

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~ 3 ~

Olivia just broke up with her boyfriend when she met Alfred. She was desperate and lonely for someone to listen to her and support her. That’s when Alfred came up, showering her with “love” and gifts. He listened to her and said the words that she was most desperate to hear. Olivia was deeply in love and trusted him with her heart. One night, he invites her to a party with his friends and asks Olivia to be “nice”. In return, she gained gifts and money. He kept all the fortune she earned and told her he was saving up for their future house. Occasionally, he even raised his hands against her when she refused to work. Eventually, Olivia packed her things, called a friend for help, and left him forever.

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“Mom? I’m Scared”

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~ 1 ~

Emma’s mother has been prostituting for years to survive. When some of her clients showed interest in her and threatened violence in case she refused, she took Emma out to the streets. Emma loved her mother and understood that the family was already struggling financially. Then her teacher noticed Emma’s emotional state – how frightened and tired she was. When asked, Emma finally told her the story, and a social service team helped and provided support.

~ 2 ~

Antonio was sexually abused by his own father and was often offered to his father’s other friends in exchange for other kids. The child did not understand that this was wrong and was told that this was a secret that should not be told; otherwise, it would hurt them. He was then noticed by a medical staff, who reported the case to the police.

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“Survival & Need”

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~ 1 ~

A drug dealer and trafficker often hang around the courthouse, preying on drug addicts who have been charged. She offered them free drugs, slowly feeding into their addiction. When they asked for more, she sent them into sexual exploitation. When victims refused to engage in pornography and/or prostitution, she offered more drugs and threatened to report them to the probation officer.

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~ 2 ~

Andrew was a queer teen who ran away from his home after his father beat him up for his sexual identity. He found a house owner who was willing to let him and a few other runaways live, but his intention was clear and straightforward - they could live here in exchange for sex. Without another choice, they were forced to be abused sexually and exploited by clients for money. They were in a desperate situation as they had no home to go to, and all of this was for survival.

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~ 3 ~

Valentina who grew up in foster care aged out and was left without a place to live or guidance for her future. She met a man who told her he had connections in the “entertainment industry” and invited her to come dance at his strip club, where she would meet producers who might need an assistant. After a few weeks, he told her that she must perform sex acts after her shift in the backroom in order to be “noticed” by the producers. She denied doing it, to which he threatened to fire and blackball her from any other clubs or music venues in the city. He also made veiled threats about hurting her and her young child. She stayed in the club until she could save enough money to quit and begin community college.

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“They told me to say yes to everything”

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~ 1 ~

Santosh woke up in the morning and discovered his kidney gone, and was sent home in exchange for 4,500 USD. It is important to note that he did not give consent to this; in fact, he did not even know this was going to happen. Santosh was invited for a recruitment position in India, and they called him for a “blood test”. As he did not know Hindi, his employer told him to “say yes to everything the doctors ask”, which he did. Then when he woke up after anesthesia, he found his kidney gone.

~ 2 ~

Dawitt escaped from his own country at age 13 to avoid fighting the war and illegally moved to Egypt. His family was struggling financially, and they were desperate for a brighter future. Then a man offered Dawitt a seemingly wonderful opportunity - he could smuggle Dawitt and his family to Europe in exchange for one kidney. This sounded safe and easy, a quick way to make 5,000 USD and live in Europe with his family. After agreeing to everything, he gave out his last 5,000 dollars that earned from selling his kidney, in hopes of a life in Sicily. Then he never heard back from them again and was threatened with deportation once he reported his case to the police.

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Impacts of Human Trafficking

The impact of human trafficking on victims and survivors varies depending on the type of trafficking and the specific situation.  However, research has identified a range of issues that victims and survivors may experience. 

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• Physical conditions
• Health risks such as HIV/AIDS
• Infections
• Substance abuse
• PTSD
• Anxiety. insecurity, fear, trauma, mental health issues
• Cognitive impairments, memory loss, depression, suicide
• Forced to engage in illegal activities
• As a result, becomes a “criminal” and gets prosecuted
• A criminal record affects life, such as finding a job, renting an apartment, and education.

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Victims of trafficking often face harsh and extreme conditions, such as work, violence, forced labor, and unprotected labor. Additionally, victims of sexual exploitation may be exposed to health risks, such as HIV/AIDS, infections, and drug abuse. They also experience severe mental health issues, and even after reaching freedom, they suffer from anxiety, insecurity, fear, and trauma. PTSD is prevalent in survivors. Not only mental health problems, human trafficking also may lead to cognitive impairment, memory loss, depression, and eventually suicide. 

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Minors, who consist of 21% of victims, are especially vulnerable. Human trafficking immensely impacts the development of a child’s emotional, physical, and psychological development. They are often denied access to education due to forced labor, marriage, or begging, leading them to lack education. PTSD, trauma, stress, and anxiety also make concentration and focusing more challenging, affecting their memory, problem-solving skills, and ability to learn. Even after escaping trafficking, survivors face significant challenges in reintegrating into the educational system. They are often behind academically and lack the necessary support to catch up. Without access to education, trafficked youth are often trapped in a cycle of poverty and exploitation, with limited opportunities to improve their situation. 

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International trafficking is especially challenging to combat, as victims are usually unable to ask for help or try to flee due to language limitations, geographic barriers, and lack of cultural familiarity. Trafficked persons are sometimes forced to engage in illegal activities. This leads to their prosecution as law enforcement may fail to properly differentiate between a victim and a criminal, even though survivors are convicted for a situation they were forced into. As a result of the conviction, they will receive a criminal record, which will directly impact their future lives, as finding a job, receiving scholarships and financial aid, renting a house, and other opportunities will be made challenging.

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Human trafficking also has many negative impacts on society, including increased crime rates, strained social services, and compromised public safety. Legitimate businesses also face unfair competition from those exploiting trafficked individuals who are forced to work in illegal or exploitative conditions for little or no pay.

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Conclusion

Human trafficking is a complex issue that affects millions of individuals worldwide, violating human rights, taking away freedom, and causing immense stress and severe negative impacts on both the individual and society. The heinous crime is caused by a combination of factors, including poverty, lack of human rights and opportunities, social norms, corruption, demand for exploitation, and much more. By understanding human trafficking, we can work together to create a world where every person is safe, free, and valued. Ending human trafficking is not just a moral imperative but a necessity for a just and equitable society. Stay tuned for our next article by The Myosotis Project, where we discuss how to address this issue.

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Works Cited

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International Labour Organization. “Global Estimates of Modern Slavery: Forced Labour and Forced Marriage.” Alliance 8.7, 2023, https://www.alliance87.org/sites/default/files/2023-06/Global%20Estimates%20of%20Modern%20Slavery%20Forced%20Labour%20and%20Forced%20Marriage_0.pdf 

International Labour Organization. “Forced Labour, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.” ILO, https://www.ilo.org/topics/forced-labour-modern-slavery-and-trafficking-persons

Kingsley, Patrick. “Trafficking People Smugglers and Organs: The Ruthless Trade Preying on Egypt’s Refugees.” The Guardian, 9 Feb. 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/feb/09/trafficking-people-smugglers-organs-egypt-mediterranean-refugees-migrants

“What Is Human Trafficking?” Stop the Traffik, https://stopthetraffik.org/what-is-human-trafficking/definition-and-scale/

“Human Trafficking Statistics.” Operation Underground Railroad, https://ourrescue.org/education/research-and-trends/human-trafficking-statistics

“Sex Trafficking Examples.” Polaris, https://polarisproject.org/sex-trafficking-examples/

 “Telling the Real Story of Human Trafficking: Typical Trafficking Patterns.” Polaris, https://polarisproject.org/telling-the-real-story-of-human-trafficking/typical-trafficking-patterns/ 

“How Does Human Trafficking Affect Society?” Able Training, https://www.able-training.co.uk/blog/how-does-human-trafficking-affect-society/#:~:text=Communities%20bear%20the%20burden%20of,for%20little%20or%20no%20pay

“The Impact of Human Trafficking.” Human Trafficking Search, https://humantraffickingsearch.org/impact/