Other Forms of Human Trafficking

When you hear the words "Human Trafficking," what are the main forms that come to mind? Usually sex trafficking or labor trafficking. There's no shame in thinking this. After all, sex trafficking makes up an estimated $99 billion, while labor trafficking makes an estimated $45 billion. This accounts for about 96% of the $150 billion made from human trafficking altogether. While both forms account for majority of human trafficking, there are other forms that deserve attention. To fight human trafficking, we must address all forms. 

What are the different types of human trafficking? In researching this article, I came across seven. This includes sex and labor trafficking. The other types of human trafficking are organ trafficking, child soldier, debt bondage, bride trafficking/child marriage, and infant/child trafficking. Let's discuss each in further detail.

Organ Trafficking

I've previously discussed organ trafficking, but I will still give a quick overview of what this is. Organ trafficking is defined as the illegal activity of removing organs from a living or deceased person. As stated in my article, "A 2018 report from the International Labor Organization showed that "40 million people are victims of human trafficking." Around 10% were victims of organ trafficking (the equivalent of 12,000 organs). " The most common organs to be sold is the liver, heart, kidneys, and corneas. 

Recently, China has been caught profiting from organ trafficking. A Human Rights Council concluded that the CCP removes certain organs from their prisoners. One doctor gave the story of removing an organ from a living person. He shared the following statement to the tribunal: "What I recall is with my scalpel, I tried to cut into his skin, there was blood to be seen. That indicates that the heart was still beating. At the same time, he was trying to resist my insertion, but he was too weak." This issue needs more attention.

Child Soldier

Child soldiers is a global issue, and one anti-trafficking advocates should speak out against. Child soldiers are "any children under the age of 18 who are recruited by a state or non-state armed group and used as fighters, cooks, suicide bombers, human shields, messengers, spies, or for sexual purposes." Most times, the "recruiters" (aka the traffickers) find children from disadvantaged homes, and bring them in by force or manipulation. Many of the children brought in for the military are under the age of 10. These children can be used as human shields or sexual objects. It's a horrible problem in many countries. It must be addressed.

Debt Bondage

This is often considered a similar form of forced labor/labor trafficking, but there is notable difference. Debt bondage (also called bonded labor) is where someone voluntarily enters an agreement to pay off a loan or debt, but gets forced into remaining with their trafficker, working hard hours for little to no pay. The debt essentially can never be paid off.

Child Marriage/Bride Trafficking

Child marriage (also referred to forced marriage or bride trafficking) is when a child or person (one or both) are forced to marry. Hundreds of thousands of men, women and children are sold or forced into marrying. There is no consent by one or both party. 

Infant/Child Trafficking

To discuss this one, I'd first like to share a video from Blake Lively. She described her experience in dealing with child pornography. To be honest, this should be considered a form of child sex trafficking. Blake was speaking to a police officer about the truth behind child porn. The age for child porn is getting younger and younger. The officer told Lively that this included infants. Blake told the audience that she was confused by what he meant by infants. He said babies with the umbilical cord still attached. Pedophiles are getting off on babies. Your stomach turning? So did mine.

Infant trafficking makes up 27% of all human trafficking victims. This form of human trafficking is defined as "the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, and/or receipt" kidnapping of a child for the purpose of slavery, forced labor and exploitation." These children are harvested like crops to be used for labor or sex in the future. This is probably on par for one of the worst forms of human trafficking today. To think someone gets turned on by a child or infant? It's impossible to stomach.

Conclusion

While sex or labor trafficking are horrible, the other seven I described are almost or equally as bad. Many of these go under sex or labor trafficking, but have notable differences. As abolitionists, it is our job to fight these forms of human trafficking by bringing awareness to them. We must bring awareness to these types, so we can combat and end human trafficking.

BONUS: Check out my article for The College Fix, where I discussed what colleges and universities can do to fight sex trafficking on campus. https://www.thecollegefix.com/heres-how-colleges-can-help-fight-sex-trafficking-and-porn-usage/