Human Trafficking

What is Human Trafficking?

Human Trafficking is the exploitation of a person through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation.
The United States’ Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 defines “severe forms of trafficking in persons” as:

1. Sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age, OR
2. The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.

Human Trafficking: Key Statistics

• 12.3 million people live in forced labor, bonded labor and sexual exploitation conditions worldwide (ILO, 2009)
• Approximately 800,000 trafficked across international borders each year (Dept of State, 2008 TIP Report)
• 14,500-17,500 trafficked into the US each year (Dept of State, 2004 TIP Report)
• 100,000 US children are commercially sexually exploited every year in the United States (Shared Hope International, 2009)
• Profits from human trafficking are estimated at $32 billion dollars (ILO, 2009)

Why is Human Trafficking So Prevalent?

The lack of anti-human trafficking laws, enforcement of such laws where they exist, along with the ease and ability to re-exploit individuals, human trafficking has become the fastest growing source of profits for criminal enterprises worldwide.  

Traffickers lure vulnerable men, women and children with false promises of good jobs, an education, economic security and even love. Once lured, the traffickers are able to keep their victims from seeking help by confiscating identification documents, using threats of violence against the victim or their family, as well as subjecting the victim to physical, psychological and/or sexual abuse.
 
No sector or industry is immune from human trafficking.  Victims have been identified in factories, restaurants, construction work, agricultural fields, hotels, spas, nail salons, and even private residences.

Catholic Social Teaching and Human Trafficking

The Catholic Church has repeatedly condemned human trafficking, stating that human trafficking “constitutes a shocking offense against human dignity and a grave violation of fundamental human rights.”

For over a decade the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has been a leader in the U.S. and global response to human trafficking. Explore the links below for more information on USCCB’s anti-trafficking initiatives.

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