Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking

The United Nations defines human trafficking as: “the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit.”

Human trafficking can take multiple forms. There is forced labor, forced domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, forced illegal activities, and organ harvesting, to name a few. Some forms of trafficking can include more than one of these types of activities. It is important to view each case individually before trying to make a determination as to whether there is human trafficking. The best course of action is to refer it to a law enforcement or intervention agency with training in human trafficking.

There are three elements to human trafficking. All three must be present to meet the legal requirements of human trafficking. The key elements include:

  • Act (what is done):

    • Recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receipt of persons;

  • Means (how it is done):

    • Threat or use of force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or vulnerability, or giving payments or benefits to a person in control of the victim.

  • Purpose (why it is done):

    • Exploitation, which includes exploiting the prostitution of others, sexual exploitation, forced labour, slavery, or similar practices and the removal of organs.

When a minor is involved, there is no requirement for means. All that is required is the ACT and the PURPOSE.

Common Questions

Human trafficking is a multi-billion dollar a year industry. Unlike other business models and illegal activities, there is only the need to secure a person one time, then that person can be used again and again for profit.

According to the International Labour Organization, the annual global profits from forced labor and sexual exploitation in 2023 were estimated to be around $236 billion.

It is not a requirement for someone to be moved across a state or country border to be trafficked. Someone can be trafficked in their home town.

Human trafficking should not be confused with migrant smuggling. Although both are illegal, the exploitation of the individual may or may not be part of the smuggling.

There is no such thing as consent when it comes to human trafficking. Consent is irrelevant when the threat of or use of force, deception, coercion, abuse of power or position of vulnerability is used.