What Are Some Potential Indicators of Human Trafficking?

Discussion Human trafficking is estimated to be the second largest criminal activity in the world after illegal arms trafficking. It affects all nations with an estimated 27 million people of all ages worldwide but only a small number are identified. It is defined by the United Nations as “the recruitment, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons by means of threat or use of force or other forms of coercions, abduction, fraud, deception, the abuse of power, or a position of vulnerability to achieve the consent of a person, having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.” It includes commercial sex and labor or services. Victims include adults and children of all genders and sexual orientations, including people who are foreign nationals or native citizens. Anyone can be a victim. In the U.S. any child less than 18 years of age who is involved in prostitution is considered a victim of sex trafficking, regardless of the use of coercion, force or fraud by another person. The average age that children enter the commercial sex trade in the U.S. is 12-14 years and it is estimated that children who move to live on the streets are approached for sex trafficking within 2 days of living on the streets. Trafficking may involve individuals being transported across domestic or international borders but does not require crossing a border. Restraint, abuse and physical force may also be involved but again are not required to define human trafficking. Wh...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news