Who is Trafficked?
Human trafficking is a complex crime that can affect people from all walks of life. While anyone can become a target, women and children frequently face higher risks due to their vulnerability. Below is a detailed overview that highlights key points about trafficking, its methods, and the legal implications.
Vulnerable Populations
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Wide Range of Victims: Contrary to popular belief, trafficking does not discriminate based on background, socioeconomic status, or nationality. While women and children remain particularly vulnerable, anyone can be a target.
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Lured by False Promises: Traffickers often use promises of employment, education, or a better standard of living to deceive their victims. This can happen whether individuals travel alone or with companions.
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Family Involvement: Sometimes, families in the victims’ home countries are convinced—through financial incentives or false assurances—to allow their loved ones to travel with traffickers in hopes of a better life.
Coercion and Control
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Threats to Loved Ones: Direct violence or coercion against the victim is not always necessary. Traffickers may threaten a victim’s family or friends instead, securing compliance through fear.
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Psychological Manipulation: Beyond physical threats, emotional manipulation, debt bondage, and isolation from support networks are common ways traffickers maintain control.
Coercion and Internal Trafficking Within the UK
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UK Nationals and Migrants: Trafficking is not limited to crossing international borders. UK citizens, as well as people from other countries living in the UK, can be targeted.
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Movement for Exploitation: Victims may be relocated from one region to another within the UK to meet the demands of the sex industry or other forms of exploitation, such as forced labor or domestic servitude.
Legal Considerations (Under the 2015 Act)
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No Need for Crossing Borders: Under the 2015 Act, the legal definition of trafficking does not require victims to be moved across any specific national or regional boundary. Movement of victims within the same city or from one city to another can still constitute trafficking.
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Absence of Coercion: Coercion, while common, is not a prerequisite for trafficking charges. Even if the victim initially appears to consent, if the situation involves deception, exploitation, or abuse of power, an offence may still be established.
Vulnerable Populations​
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Women and Girls:
Women and girls are disproportionately affected by human trafficking, particularly in cases of sexual and labour exploitation. Globally, 79% of all victims of sexual exploitation are female, and many are also forced into labour.
Children:
Children are highly susceptible, either forced into child labor or exploited for various purposes, including forced begging, child soldiering, or sexual exploitation.
Migrants and Refugees:
Those displaced by conflict, economic instability, or persecution are vulnerable due to their desperate circumstances and lack of legal protection.
Runaways and Homeless Individuals:
Those lacking stable housing are at an increased risk of exploitation, as traffickers may prey on their vulnerability and offer false promises.
Poverty-Stricken Individuals:
Economic desperation can lead individuals to accept risky job offers, making them susceptible to labor exploitation.
Individuals with Disabilities:
People with disabilities may face increased vulnerability due to social marginalization, discrimination, and dependency on others for care.
Victims of Domestic Violence:
Individuals escaping abusive relationships may be targeted by traffickers who exploit their vulnerability and promise safety or employment opportunities.
Uneducated or Illiterate Individuals:
Lack of education can limit access to information and job opportunities, making individuals more susceptible to false promises of employment.
By understanding these nuances, individuals, communities, and professionals can better identify and prevent instances of trafficking. If you suspect someone is in a trafficking situation or is being exploited, it is crucial to report your concerns to the appropriate authorities or seek advice from specialized support services.