This January, we are uniting our voices with the anti-trafficking community to raise awareness about one of the most appalling human rights violations that undermines a person’s dignity and independence – human trafficking. Human trafficking involves recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring, or receipt of people through force, coercion, or deception to exploit them for profit. It is a global crisis affecting children and adults of all ages, gender identities, and backgrounds in every region of the world. Though the complete extent of this issue remains unknown, there are an estimated 27.6 million individuals who are trafficked globally.
Human trafficking is a pervasive issue occurring on every continent, with hotspots including Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe, and parts of the Middle East. However, no country is immune. The perpetrators usually exploit vulnerabilities such as poverty, lack of education, and job instability to entice individuals with false promises of employment, education, or a better life. Below are the many forms of human trafficking:
- Sexual Exploitation – Subjects people to involuntary prostitution, forced pornography, and other forms of sexual abuse.
- Labor Exploitation – Coerce individuals into exploitative work conditions, often marked by grueling hours, minimal pay, and hazardous environments.
- Domestic Servitude – Domestic workers are trapped in situations where they endure abuse and are subjected to work long hours for minimal compensation.
- Forced Marriage – Some people are forced into marriages against their will, facing threats of physical or sexual violence, or placed under emotional or psychological distress.
- Forced Criminality – Persons are forced to engage in criminal activities against their own will and conscience.
- Organ Harvesting – Exploit individuals for the illicit trade of organs through deceptive practices such as non-payment or underpayment, removal without consent, and extortion through kidnapping.
The trauma experienced by survivors can have long-lasting effects on their mental health, relationships, and overall well-being even after they escape. Additionally, survivors often face societal stigma and discrimination, which makes it difficult for them to obtain employment, housing, and mental health support, as well as rebuild their lives. As we observe Human Awareness Month, Eleison is committed to fighting against this pervasive issue and strives to create a world where everyone can live free from exploitation.
