Blog
By:
  • Daniela Albertazzi | Media & Communications Assistant

This entry is based primarily on a 2023 study by IOM and Harvard University “From Evidence to Action: Twenty years of IOM child trafficking data to inform policy and programming”.

Did you know that almost one third of identified victims of trafficking in the Americas are children? 

A study conducted by the International Organization for Migration and Harvard University reveals striking data on child trafficking. The data shows that children between the ages of 13 and 17 form the largest group of child victims, accounting for 46.6% of cases reported at the time of IOM registration.

Alarmingly, 12.6% of child victims were infants aged between 0 and 2 years, indicating that some children are born into trafficking situations. This highlights the disturbing reality that trafficking can begin at the earliest stages of life, perpetuating cycles of exploitation and abuse. 

Child trafficking remains a grave and pervasive issue worldwide, impacting children from diverse backgrounds and regions. No age, gender, or nationality is immune to this exploitative crime. This underscores the urgent need for tailored interventions and comprehensive protection strategies for child victims of trafficking. 

How does it occur? 

Intersecting vulnerabilities such as individual, relationship, community, and societal factors significantly increase the risk of trafficking, creating a cumulative effect that exacerbates children's susceptibility to exploitation. Traffickers employ various means of control over child victims, mainly through psychological and physical abuse, and threats. These methods of coercion are particularly effective against children, making them more vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation.

Family dynamics also play a crucial role in child trafficking, with more than half of child victims reporting the involvement of friends and family in their recruitment into trafficking. In many cases, extreme poverty and economic hardship drive families to unwittingly or deliberately become part of the trafficking process. This emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of trafficking, such as poverty and lack of education, to prevent children from becoming victims in the first place.

At the same time, family separation and parents or caregivers falling into trafficking are also huge risk factors. This is why family reunification is essential to keep children from falling into trafficking. 

As for the reasons that children are trafficked, data shows that 43.4 per cent of child victims were trafficked for forced labor, 20.8 per cent were trafficked for sexual exploitation and a smaller number for both forced labor and sexual exploitation.

Child trafficking for forced labor is a widespread issue, with specific regions such as South-East Asia, the Pacific, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean being particularly affected. In these regions, most child victims are trafficked for forced labor, highlighting the need for context-specific interventions to combat this form of exploitation. 

What is needed to combat child trafficking? 

Efforts to combat child trafficking must prioritize evidence-based actions that address the specific drivers and vulnerabilities in different contexts. Preventive measures should focus on increasing resilience, reducing vulnerability, and raising awareness about the dangers and signs of trafficking.

Here are some important considerations: 

  • Lower levels of education were associated with higher odds of being trafficked as a child. Victims with no education were 22.76 times more likely to be trafficked as a child than victims who attended high school. This is why states must ensure education for all children, regardless of their background or migratory status. 
  • Originating from a low-income country had odds that were 5.57 higher for being trafficked as a child rather than as an adult in comparison to originating from a high-income country. States and organizations must work together to reduce inequality by investing more in health, education, social protection and decent jobs. 
  • Those from countries at higher risk of disasters and climate change vulnerability had 1.12 times the odds of being trafficked as children compared to adults. Thus, investing in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability measures is key. 

To effectively combat child trafficking, it is essential to strengthen partnerships and coordination at all levels. This includes collaboration between governments, international organizations, civil society, and local communities.

Ensuring no child is left behind requires a comprehensive and coordinated response that addresses the complex interplay of factors contributing to trafficking. Upholding the rights of child victims and providing tailored protection and support are crucial steps in this collective effort to eradicate child trafficking globally. 

Every child deserves a chance to be happy, learn, grow and thrive. 

For more information click here.