Human trafficking is a form of exploitation of human beings by forcefully or deceptively abducting and transporting people for their abuse. Most common forms of exploitation through trafficking include forcing victims into prostitution, deceiving them into some form of debt bondage, compelling victims to engage in pornography or sexual slavery, beggary etc.

Here are a few notable and scary facts about human trafficking:

• More than 80% of humans trafficked are estimated to be females. 50% of victims face trafficking below the age of 18.
• Around 300,000 children in the US alone are estimated to be under threat and vulnerable to child trafficking rackets.
• Sadly, many of the children who become victims of trafficking are among those who run away from their own homes having faced physical or sexual abuse back home.
• Studies have revealed that about 71% of the children who have been trafficked at an early age show suicidal tendencies while those who survive grow up to be aggressive and more likely to engage in the trafficking trade themselves finding it impossible to go back to their former lifestyle. They are more prone to substance abuse and become physically violent.
• Most of the women who are trafficked for sexual exploitation is at risk for contracting HIV and other STDs.
• As per reports, human trafficking is said to have increased by 109% from 1996 to 2000 itself.
• Amongst all possible criminal activities that exist, human trafficking ranks third in terms of the profits earned followed by drug smuggling and arms trafficking.
• Human trafficking is a billion dollar industry with $9.5 billion being generated every year including a $4billion dollar brothel industry.
• The TVPA or Trafficking Protection Victims’ Protection Act is aimed at curbing any attempts of human trafficking both domestically and abroad.
• Lack of knowledge and awareness of laws make victims fear approaching authorities or organizations that might be able to help them, for fear of being shunned or for retaliation against themselves.
• Victims find it nearly impossible to escape after being abducted because of being transported to faraway places or countries. It is also difficult for authorities to track them down because victims are constantly shifted with limited or no contact with the outside world.
• Providing shelter for trafficking victims is also an additional risk because human trafficking is closely linked with organized crimes of large gangs posing fatal security threats for both victims and those providing shelters.
• Large number of perpetrators is involved in trafficking rackets as a result of which most victims don’t get to know or all perpetrators involved in the racket.

Worldwide efforts are being made by various organizations to stop human trafficking as it continues to grow at an alarming rate. Human trafficking is a worldwide problem that leaves devastating impacts on human lives and the victims’ minds with little scope of bringing about justice because it is so challenging a task to catch criminals responsible for these acts. Proper education and awareness of laws is also essential for victims to be able to gather the courage to raise their voices against their perpetrators or seek help wherever possible.