TRAFFICKING
Root Causes of Trafficking
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Child trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery in which victims are subjected to force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of commercial sex, debt bondage, or involuntary labor. Some impoverished families are tricked by traffickers posing as helpers and promising a better life for their children. Unfortunately, a lack of legal status or documentation can make a child an easy target.
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Poverty
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Family Breakdown
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Government Corruption
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Social Instability
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Military Conflict
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Natural Disasters
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Weak Social Infrastructure
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Racial and Gender Biases
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Ethnic Discrimination
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High Profitability for Traffickers
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Fear of Forced Marriage
Psychological Impact
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Victims of traffficking may:
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Develop general feelings of helplessness, shame, guilt, self-blame, and humiliation
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Suffer from shock and denial, or display symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, panic attacks, anxiety, and depression
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Suffer from sleep or eating disorders
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Become addicted to drugs and/or alcohol as a way to cope with to escape their situation
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Become emotionally numb, detached, and disassociated from the physical and psychological trauma and display “flat affect”
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Experience “trauma bonding” with the trafficker, positively identifying with the perpetrator and believing that, despite repeated abuse, the trafficker is a loving boyfriend, spouse, or parent
Prevention Methods
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Strengthening families to prevent their breakdown because lack of family support increases a child's vulnerability
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Transitioning children from residential care into healthy families to prevent loss of identity and foster sense of belonging
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Educating communities about the realities ahead for children given up for work or for a "better future”
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Ensuring children have proper ID and legal documentation
