What is Human Trafficking | International Justice Mission UK

Ending human trafficking

What is human trafficking?

Human trafficking is when a person is tricked or forced into a situation where they'll be exploited for profit.

People around the world are trafficked into slavery including forced labour, forced marriage, domestic servitude and sexual exploitation.

In IJM's cases, we have met people in slavery who report being beaten, gang-raped, locked in tiny rooms, starved and even forced to witness murder.

Learn more through the frequently asked questions about human trafficking.

Trafficking FAQs >>

Where does human trafficking occur?

Human trafficking occurs in almost every country in the world, including in the UK and in Europe. IJM works with global partners to protect people from human trafficking and modern slavery in Cambodia, Dominican Republic, Ghana, South Asia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and across Europe.

Stopping trafficking in Europe >>

Human trafficking is on the rise.

Climate change, the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and other global conflicts are factors driving the disturbing increase.

New ILO estimates reveal that over 50 million people are trapped in modern slavery, up 10 million from previous estimates. This is nearly one in every 150 people in the world.

The ILO's new estimates show the urgency of addressing human trafficking - and the factors which increase people's vulnerability to it.

Right now, over 12 million children are trapped in slavery. That’s more than the population of London. Robbed of their freedom, education and childhood, they face abuse and violence. (ILO, Walk Free, IOM 2022).

Survivor stories

Kashi* was trafficked at the age of five.

She was trapped in domestic servitude for ten years, before being trafficked again - this time for sexual exploitation. When IJM helped bring Kashi to freedom, she was able to go to school for the first time. She discovered her talents for leadership and public speaking and is now passionate about sharing her experiences to help end trafficking.

Kashi says “I will not have to be scared because of my past. I will hold my head high. Always.”

Angela* was trafficked from Romania to London for sexual exploitation.

Sexual and verbal abuse was common in Angela’s home. When a man called Robert* came along, he made her feel loved for the first time. Robert assured Angela he cared for her and could offer her an escape from her abusive home. Sadly, this is a way traffickers deceive young women into commercial sexual exploitation in the UK.

Angela and her family trusted Robert’s promises of a better life. Instead, Angela was taken to a house in the UK where she was forced to engage in sexual exploitation. She escaped from a balcony and managed to run away. Police took her into safe custody where she provided descriptions that helped them arrest the suspect.

Since returning to Romania, we’ve helped provide Angela with important practical support, including housing and therapy sessions so Angela can process the events she’s experienced and improve her relationship with her family.

*Pseudonym

You can help end trafficking. Become a Freedom Partner now.

Become a Freedom Partner >>

3 facts about human trafficking

Human trafficking is one of the biggest criminal industries in the world.

It generates more than $150bn a year. Two thirds of this comes from commercial sexual exploitation [1].

[1] ILO, 2014.

War in Ukraine has sparked a refugee crisis in Europe, putting millions more people at risk of trafficking.

Here's how IJM is helping to stop trafficking of refugees in Europe.

There are an estimated 100,000 victims of trafficking in the UK alone [2].

[2] Centre for Social Justice, 2020.

How does IJM help stop human trafficking?

IJM is working to combat child trafficking, sex trafficking, labour trafficking, cross-border trafficking and online sexual exploitation of children.

We’re working with survivors, supporters and authorities to bring victims of trafficking to safety, provide trauma-informed care to survivors, bring traffickers to justice and we invest in systemic change to see people not abused in the first place.

Together, we're building a movement that is already seeing powerful results. With authorities, we’ve brought 76,000 people to safety from trafficking and violence, and seen child trafficking decrease by up to 86% in places where we’ve worked.

You can be part of this movement for freedom.

Freedom from trafficking means that people can pursue their dreams.

But right now, 50 million people are trapped in modern slavery. You can help bring freedom as a Freedom Partner.

Become a Freedom partner >>

FAQs

How does trafficking happen?

Trafficking can happen to anyone, but people experiencing financial difficulty, abuse or lacking legal rights are most at risk of being misled by traffickers with the promise of a better life. Traffickers use various methods to deceive people, including false job offers and the ‘lover boy’ method, where traffickers gain the trust of women by pretending to have a romantic interest in them – sometimes even making marriage proposals.

What is sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation?

Sex trafficking is a form of modern slavery in which someone deceives and sexually exploits another person for a profit.

What is labour trafficking?

Labour trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery that uses deception, threats or violence to coerce someone to work for little to no pay.

What are the signs of modern slavery?

When determining whether someone is a victim of modern slavery and/or human trafficking, general indicators may include:

• The individual is not free to come and go as he/she wishes

• The individual is under 18 and is providing commercial sex acts

• The individual isunpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips

• The individual works excessively long and/or unusual hours, with few breaks

• The individual is transported to and from work

• The individual owes a large debt and is unable to pay it off

• The individual was recruited through false promises concerning the nature and conditions of his/her work

• High security measures exist in the work and/or living locations

• The individual is fearful, anxious, submissive, nervous/paranoid, avoiding eye contact

• The individual exhibits unusually fearful or anxious behaviour, particularly towards the authorities

• The individual seems to have poor physical health, including malnourishment or signs of physical/sexual abuse

• The individual has few or no personal possessions

• The individual is not in control of his/her own money or identification documents

• The individual is not allowed or able to speak for themselves

• The individual seems to have a lack of knowledge of whereabouts and/or where they live

• The individual seems to have a loss of sense of time

• The individual seems to have numerous inconsistencies in his/her story

Modern Slavery Helpline
If you suspect you, or someone you know is being exploited, call the UK Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700.