According to the United Nations (UNO), forced labor and child trafficking have increased significantly in recent years. In total, the Vienna-based UN agency registered 75,000 cases of human trafficking in 2022. Of these, 25,000 were children.
“The trafficking of girls for sexual exploitation is increasing at an alarming rate in many parts of the world,” says the new human trafficking report from the United Nations Agency on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Boys, who often travel alone as migrants, are also increasingly among the victims.
- Given the ongoing conflicts and weather-related disasters that uproot populations, there is a risk that human trafficking will continue to increase.
- UNODC experts identified nearly 440 routes for transnational human trafficking. According to the report, most victims come from Africa.
- In three out of four cases, organized crime gangs are responsible for the crimes. Many girls and women have to work in prostitution or for online fraudsters who, among other things, make their money with erotic and dating offers.
“Crime has become more complex”
There are always cases where companies behind a legal facade – including in the construction sector, fishing, agriculture or employment agencies – are actually involved in human trafficking. “Crime has become more complex,” says UNODC expert Angela Me.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
