Trafficking and slavery
We won’t stop until we end the business of modern slavery for good
The problem
Trafficking and slavery still exist today
Millions of children, women and men are trapped in modern-day slavery around the world. In South Asia, entire families are trafficked for labour in brick kilns, rice mills and garment factories working up to 20 hours a day. In Romania, women are tricked into sex trafficking with false promises of a loving relationship or well-paying job. In the Philippines, children as young as two are sexually abused live for anyone in the world to watch through online sexual exploitation.
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There are an estimated 50 million people trapped in slavery today.
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An estimated 90% of labour trafficking takes place in the private economy—homes, business and supply chains.
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Human trafficking generates about $236 billion a year—with two-thirds coming from commercial sexual exploitation.
Forms of Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery
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Labour Trafficking
People are forced to work for little to no pay, through deception, threat or violence.
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Online Sexual Exploitation of Children
Children are sexually abused by traffickers who share or livestream the abuse for sex offenders to direct from places like the UK.
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Sex Trafficking
People are coerced or deceived into sexual exploitation for profit, including exploitation in brothels, homes and online.
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Forced Scamming
People are tricked by false job adverts, trapped in heavily guarded compounds and forced to scam people all over the world.
Our solution
Our Community Protection Model
We don’t stop at bringing people to safety from violence. Our goal is to prevent abuse and exploitation from happening in the first place.
That’s why IJM and our partners collaborate with local authorities to support survivors to heal with trauma-informed care, hold perpetrators to account, and strengthen justice systems to build communities where all people can expect to be safe and protected.
Where we and our partners work to end trafficking and slavery
Meet Joy
A young girl brought to freedom from online sexual exploitation
Joy* was left behind when her parents moved abroad for work and spent her childhood moving from home to home. At just 10 years old, a woman she trusted exploited her vulnerability and subjected her to years of online sexual exploitation. After IJM partnered with police to find Joy and bring her to safety, she began a long journey of healing. Today, Joy is a qualified social worker, using her voice to help protect other children and advocate to stop the abuse before it starts.
Explore more stories related to Trafficking and Slavery:
Slavery and Trafficking Resources
We are seeing evidence that IJM’s model works—that enforcing the law deters criminals and protects people from violence. Here’s proof:
Together, we can end trafficking and slavery for good.
Will you help bring people to freedom and build a world where all are free?