Today, on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we raise our voices for the millions of children trapped in the vicious cycle of human trafficking. Globally, one in three victims of human trafficking is a child, with girls being the most affected. According to the Global Report on Trafficking in Persons (GLOTIP) by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), children are twice as likely as adults to face violence during trafficking.
The proliferation of online platforms adds another layer of risk, as children often access these sites without adequate safeguards. Children are subjected to various forms of trafficking, including forced labor, crime, begging, illegal adoption, sexual abuse, and the online dissemination of abusive images. Some are also recruited into armed groups. The root causes of child trafficking are numerous: poverty, insufficient support for unaccompanied minors, armed conflicts, dysfunctional families, and lack of parental care.
To effectively combat child trafficking, comprehensive measures are urgently needed. States must prioritize the protection of children, strengthen laws, improve law enforcement, and allocate more resources to fight child trafficking. Preventive measures should address root causes like poverty and inequality, with special attention given to the trafficking of unaccompanied refugee minors. Strengthening child protection networks and adapting criminal laws to better meet the needs of children are also crucial steps.
How You Can Get Involved
This year marks the 10th World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. The campaign focuses on raising awareness of the causes and vulnerabilities associated with child trafficking. It emphasizes the critical need for dedicated support for child victims of trafficking and urges the public and policymakers to address current shortcomings and accelerate action to #EndHumanTrafficking.
Ways to Get Involved:
Share, Like, and Comment: Engage with social media messages for World Day using #EndHumanTrafficking.
Donate: Contribute to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking, which provides on-the-ground assistance and protection to victims.
Join the Blue Heart Community: Find more ideas on how to support the campaign.
Enter the Photo Challenge: Participate in raising awareness through visual storytelling.
More information here: https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-human-trafficking-day
On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, let's commit to protecting the most vulnerable among us—our children. Together, we can drive change and ensure that no child is left behind in the fight against human trafficking. How will you contribute to ending child trafficking?
Keywords: child trafficking; sustainable development; human rights; SDG 8; online safety; forced labor; sexual exploitation; child protection; anti-trafficking; Blue Heart Campaign.