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Child Trafficking - Child Exploitation at its Worst
What is child trafficking? Exploitation of children has
become a global problem and child trafficking is a key criminal offense
contributing to this global problem. Read more about the harsh reality
of this crime today.
Child trafficking is one form of human trafficking. It is considered by
the
International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labor (IPEC) as the
worst
form child labor.
Child
trafficking
is considered a crime in many national legislations as well as under
international law.
Child
trafficking
usually entails separation of the child from his/her family either by
force, coercion
or trickery although there are cases when drug is administered to
accomplish the
task. Some child traffickers also use gentler persuasion to separate
the child
from the family usually by giving the wrong information to the
child’s family
regarding what awaits the child in the destination.
Relocation
of a child from one place to another whether within the same country or
across
the border is another major characteristic of child trafficking.
Children
who become victims of child trafficking are usually used for forced
labor
camps, child soldiers, child prostitution, child pornography, and even
organ
removal.
In
the
United States, federal law treats child trafficking for sex as a crime,
describing any person below 18 years of age as a child.
Sex
trafficking of children is defined as coercing, forcing or tricking a
child to
engage in any sexual act. Transporting minors for sex purposes is also
deemed
criminal as well as traveling to other countries to engage in sex
activity
involving minors.
Child
Trafficking
as a Global Problem
It
is
estimated that at least 1.2 million children become victims of child
trafficking every year. The problem with child trafficking has reached
global
scales where almost all countries and world regions are experiencing
the
epidemic to a certain degree.
Usually,
poor families are made to believe that their children are better off in
other
countries without knowing that the children will be used for forced
labor and
prostitution.
Child
trafficking
violates the most basic rights of children including the right to grow
up with
their families. Child trafficking also endangers the life, health and
morality
of any child by exposure to violence and sexual abuse among other forms
of
danger. Moreover, victims of child trafficking are also arrested and
detained
as illegal immigrants or aliens in the country they are transported to.
The
following figures provide a picture of the prevalence of child
trafficking:
- As
many as 1,000 to 1,500 Guatemalan babies and children are trafficked
annually for adoption in North America and Europe.
- Asian
and Eastern European girls, some as young as 13, are trafficked as
“mail-order brides” exposing them to great risks of
sexual abuse and violence.
- West
and Central African children are transported in great numbers to serve
as domestic workers and as sex slaves, particularly since 90% of the
children are girls.
- It
is estimated that 30% to 35% of sex workers in South East Asian region
are aged 12 to 17 years old.
- Mexico
estimates around 16,000 children working as prostitutes especially in
hot tourist destinations and areas.
- Lithuanian
children, some as young as 12 years old, are used to make pornographic
films right in their own homes while 20 to 50% of all prostitutes in
Lithuania are believed to be minors.
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