Trafficking
Human trafficking,
also known as
trafficking in
persons, is
modern-day slavery.
It is the third
largest and fastest
growing criminal
industry in the
world, victimizing
millions of people
and reaping billions
in profits.
Trafficking is
considered one of the
most urgent human
rights issues in the
world today.
Human trafficking may take many forms, including trafficking:
in the sex industry
into forced labor in factories, restaurants, or agricultural work
into domestic servitude as a servant, housekeeper, or nanny
as a bride
of organs
Traffickers use a variety of techniques to control their victims. A hallmark of the criminal industry is the sophisticated use of psychological and financial control mechanisms, often minimizing or obviating the need for physical violence or confinement.
Victims of trafficking often come from vulnerable populations, including migrants, oppressed or marginalized groups, runaways or displaced persons, and the poor.
Traffickers may be individuals, families, or more organized groups of criminals, and are facilitated by other indirect beneficiaries, such as advertising, distribution, or retail companies, or consumers (who may include you).
From:
HumanTrafficking.com,
the Web site of the
Research and Training
Center of Polaris
Project, and
The Commercial
Sexual Exploitation
of Children in the
U.S., Canada and
Mexico