Human Trafficking: Types

Human Trafficking in today’s world is not a simple business. Many may have a basic understanding of what Human Trafficking (HT) is, but some may not be familiar with some of the basic “types.” It is important to know that there is not a specific culture, socioeconomic group, or ethnic race that has not been impacted by human trafficking. It can and does happen in all countries all over the world. So, take a minute to familiarize yourself on the various “types” of human trafficking:
Bonded Labor- Offering employment with debt attached as a payment or as a term of guarantee for labor services.
Forced Labor– Forcing a person to work in a household as a servant or at a low paying job as “the only work certain individuals can do.” This usually happens to immigrants coming or being brought into another country. It is simply involuntary servitude without a legal contract, and the work is often dangerous or hazardous with only a promise of a new country as the reward.
Involuntary Servitude- Similar to Forced Labor, the involuntary worker may be restricted from leaving a home or workplace with a threat of physical harm. If the person does attempt to run away, they are sometimes seen as criminals, especially if in a foreign country, where laws are few and language barriers can cause problems with obtaining help. The fear of reprisal from employers is very common.
Sex Trafficking – Sex trafficking comprises the largest portion of human trafficking. If a person is coerced, forced, deceived or maintained in prostitution, this is a criminal act and is sex trafficking. Often, there is a “Debt Bondage” situation, in which a person is trafficked in order to pay a debt that never gets fulfilled. Sex trafficking sadly involves children and teens, and it is important to know that a minor cannot legally give consent to do sex work.
Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) is the sexual exploitation of children for the commercial gain of some person(s). CSEC includes all child prostitution as well as child pornography. This is not human trafficking per se, as some forms of CSEC such as child pornography are not always a form of human trafficking. Most forms of CSEC, however, are forms of human trafficking, such as child sex trafficking.

For more information, visit: https://humantraffickingsearch.org/what-is-human-trafficking

If you think you are being trafficked, reach out for help by calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888 or you can easily TEXT HELP 233733.