World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

The 30th of July marks ‘World Day Against Trafficking in Persons’, a global campaign aimed at ending trafficking in persons.

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery involving the recruitment, transportation, harbouring, or receipt of individuals through force, fraud or coercion, for the purpose of exploitation. Perpetrators of trafficking often target people experiencing poverty, living in unsafe environments or people searching for a better livelihood.

Victim-survivors are often trapped and controlled through threats, sexual violence, isolation, shaming, debt and perceived sense of protection from perpetrators.

Whilst some people may be more susceptible, importantly trafficking exploits people of all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, citizenship statuses and income levels.

This year's theme urges for an accelerated action to end child trafficking, with children representing a significant portion of trafficking survivor-victims, children are also particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation1.

Trafficking and Sexual Violence

Sexual violence is both a driver of trafficking and a tool to manipulate and control victim-survivors. Trafficked persons are particularly susceptible to sexual violence and exploitation with traffickers commonly using sexual violence to try assert power and control. This is often combined with other forms of exploitation such as forced and child marriage, forced labour and domestic servitude. Conflict related sexual violence has also been linked with abductions for the purpose of trafficking, as well as trafficking for sexual exploitation in displaced persons camps2

Sex trafficking is a type of human trafficking where victim-surivours are coerced into sexual exploitation for profit. However, sexual violence does not just occur in sex trafficking it can occur in every type of trafficking situation.

Women make up the majority of those who are trafficked, with 91% of detected victim-survivors of sexual exploitation being women 3. Analysis of court cases shows that trafficked women are subjected to physical or extreme violence at a rate three times higher than men4. Further, in at least 25% of cases of women and girls, victim- survivors were subject to multiple forms of sexual violence prior to being trafficked5

Intersectional discrimination also hinders access to protection from trafficking and sexual violence. Discriminatory attitudes and violence based on racialisation, sexual orientation and gender identity results in global majority and LGBTQIA+ people both being at increased risk of trafficking and not receiving effective assistance or protection, including from law enforcement bodies6.

A misconception is that trafficking and sexual violence is always committed by a stranger, it can be committed by a community, family or extended family. Data has shown that in 13% of cases, the intimate partner was the trafficker7

Need Help or Know Someone who does?

Communities have an important role to play in recognising abuse. If you recognise any of the above and suspect you, or someone you know, may be a victim-survivor of trafficking, and it safe to do so, try to tell someone.

To report a suspicion or get advice you can contact the Modern Slavery Helpline confidentially on 08000 121 700. This is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

As an organisation we also offer support to trafficked women or girls 13+ in Tyneside and Northumberland who have experienced sexual violence.