The International Labor Organization estimates that human trafficking makes $150 billion annually. But what are the risks?The table below shows the Global Enforcement Data from the 2018 Trafficking in Persons Report. It describes the estimated amount of human trafficking prosecutions and convictions around the world each year.

As you can see- the number of prosecutions is shockingly low for an industry that victimizes 20-30 million people around the world. Lasting legal consequences for human traffickers are still minimal and rare. Traffickers know they can sell and exploit others and little will be done to stop them.

Second, human trafficking is fueled by the economic principles of supply and demand.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS THE ONLY INDUSTRY IN WHICH THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND ARE THE SAME THING: HUMAN BEINGS. PEOPLE DEMANDING THE SALE OF PEOPLE.

High demand drives the market to seek a high volume of supply. Increasing demand from consumers for cheap goods incentivizes corporations to demand cheap labor, often forcing those at the bottom of the supply chain to exploit workers. Secondly, increased demand for commercial sex (especially with young girls and boys) incentivizes commercial sex venues to recruit and exploit children.Lastly, systemic inequalities and disparities make certain groups much more vulnerable to exploitation. Mass displacement, conflict, extreme poverty, lack of access to education and job opportunities, violence, and harmful social norms like child marriage are all factors that push individuals into situations of trafficking. Families living in extreme poverty or families in situations of desperation are more likely to accept risky job offers.

When girls aren’t allowed to learn, parents are more likely to sell their daughters to men for marriage.Ultimately, harmful social norms and systemic inequity fuel trafficking because traffickers target vulnerability. Traffickers look for the impoverished, the desperate, the ones without legitimate job options, the ones without education opportunities, and the ones looking for a way to escape the violence.

IF WE NEVER ADDRESS THESE BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, WE WILL NEVER SEE THE DAY WHEN TRAFFICKING NO LONGER EXISTS.

Want to take action?

You can address the three factors that fuel trafficking by taking the following three steps.

1. Advocate for legislation that increases penalties for traffickers and enhances protections for victims. Right now, we are activating around the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to ensure vulnerable youth in the U.S. are protected.

2. Learn how your buying habits contribute to the demand for exploitative labor by going to Slaveryfootprint.org. Then take steps to make ethical purchases by shopping for Fair Trade products. Fair Trade certification ensures that no child or slave labor contributed to the making of a product.

3. Support Rahab’s Daughters development work to lessen vulnerabilities for children around the world project is an awareness-based initiative to educate communities on the issue of human trafficking and mobilize them to take action. If you would like to support the project, you can host a fundraiser or film screening by filling out our application HERE.