EDUCATION & AWARENESS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Understanding the exploitation of vulnerability,
and learning how we see the unseen.
01 DEFINITIONS
Defining the unseen
Human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit. Men, women and children of all ages and from all backgrounds can become victims of this crime, which occurs in every region of the world.
— UNITED NATIONS
Trafficking is the exploitation of vulnerability.
— LAURAN BETHELL
02 STATISTICS
A global crisis
$236B
Every Country
Generated annually by human trafficking worldwide (USD)
Trafficking happens in every region of the world
VICTIMS BY GENDER
54%
46%
WOMEN & GIRLS
MEN & BOYS
SOURCE: A21
03 MYTHS & REALITIES
What people get wrong
MYTH
Traffickers target victims they don't know.
REALITY
91% of human trafficking victims knew their trafficker.
MYTH
Human trafficking only occurs when people are moved or transported across a border or state.
REALITY
Human trafficking is often confused with human smuggling, which involves illegal border crossing. This is not the case with human trafficking, it can involve no movement whatsoever. Trafficking can happen within someone's own city, state, or home.
MYTH
Individuals who "consent" to being exploited should not be looked at the same as those who did not choose to be in exploitation.
REALITY
Although someone may "consent" to their exploited situation, the reality is they see it as a lack of choices. They may have little to no education, language barriers, a criminal record, a past of being sexually abused, etc. — all of which can create the belief that they have no other choice.
MYTH
People who are being trafficked are unable to leave their situation, in chains, or held against their will.
REALITY
While that can be the case, it is rare. Most individuals caught in trafficking situations find it hard to leave because they don't have their own transportation, no safe place to live, are afraid their trafficker will harm them or their family, and lack basic necessities to get out. Many emotional and psychological factors play in as well.
MYTH
All human trafficking situations involve sex.
REALITY
There are many categories a person can be trafficked for: labor, child soldiers, begging, debt bondage, involuntary servitude, baby harvesting (surrogacy), organ harvesting, forced marriage, and domestic servitude.
04 IN GREECE
The gateway to Europe
Greece is a transit and destination country for individuals subjected to human trafficking. Many are trafficked to Greece or make their way to another European country, as Greece is the gateway to Europe.