Africa and the Middle East
In recent years, trafficking has been most prevalent in African countries like Equatorial Guinea, Mauritania, Eritrea, and the Central African Republics. In the CAR, young women can be coerced into marriages that force them into domestic servitude and sexual slavery.
Traffickers are adept at identifying people with noticeable vulnerabilities or needs. They may scour specific locations such as bus stations, shelters, or local malls looking for someone without a safe place to stay or who they may be able to charm with their flattery and attention.
“Participating is simple, just follow these easy steps: Wear something blue — the international color of human trafficking awareness — then take a photo and post it on social media using the hashtag #WearBlueDay,” the DHS website said. “Wearing blue on January 11, 2023, is proof that a little gesture can go a long way.
Victims may not be in control of their own money. Victims often have no, or few, personal possessions. They frequently have no identifying documents, such as a driver's license or passport. Victims may have their communication restricted or controlled, or have a third party translate for them.
Hotels and motels are critical sites for both sex and labor trafficking business operations. Many have stepped up to ensure front-line staff are well trained in identifying potential signs of sex trafficking, but potential labor trafficking occupying the rooms and within the hotel's supply chains may go unchecked.
Many sex traffickers lure victims by providing basic survival needs. They systematically provide distorted versions of higher needs to manipulate victims. Using threats, force and coercion, traffickers exploit the fact that, for many victims, “the life” may be their first experience of 'family' and belonging.
This article focuses on how Apprise is designed to target human trafficking and labor exploitation in different industries (e.g. fishing and manufacturing), with the aim of contributing to more responsive policies under the 4P's framework – Protection, Prevention, Prosecution, and Partnership (UNHCHR, 2000; Kelly&Dylan ...
Mass displacement, conflict, extreme poverty, lack of access to education and job opportunities, violence and harmful social norms like child marriage are all factors that push individuals into situations of trafficking.
Someone may be experiencing labor trafficking or exploitation if they: Feel pressured by their employer to stay in a job or situation they want to leave. Owe money to an employer or recruiter or are not being paid what they were promised or are owed. Do not have control of their passport or other identity documents.
If possible, call a hotline that can help get you out of your situation. In the U.S., reach out to the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 888-373-7888, visiting their website or texting “BeFree” (233733). Once you escape and get settled, get emotional and mental help.
Traffickers can be foreign nationals or U.S. citizens, family members, partners, acquaintances, and strangers. They can act alone or as part of an organized criminal enterprise. People often incorrectly assume that all traffickers are males; however, the United States has prosecuted cases against women traffickers.
Children account for half of the victims of human trafficking. In fact, the average age that a young person becomes involved in sex trafficking is 12 years old.
Article 3 of the Trafficking Protocol clarifies that trafficking in persons has three constituent elements: (1) An act (what is done); (2) The means (how it is done); and (3) Exploitative purpose (why it is done).
Tactic 1: Dehumanization
From the viewpoint of traffickers, victims are little more than commodities. Traffickers constantly tell victims that they're worthless, insignificant and forgotten. Victims are exposed to high levels of emotional distress induced by constant threats, fear, and psychological abuse.
They need to have access to the victim, either in person or through the internet to lure them into the sex trafficking situation. Many victims are lured by sex traffickers on social media, promising things or a future together.
Today, the Internet provides easy access to a much larger group of potential victims because traditional physical and geographical limitations no longer exist. Traffickers create fake websites or post advertisements on legitimate employment portals and social networking websites.
As with domestic violence victims, if you think a patient is a victim of trafficking, you do not want to begin by asking directly if the person has been beaten or held against his/her will.