sex trafficking essay introduction

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What is human trafficking.

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Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons, is a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts. The coercion can be subtle or overt, physical or psychological.  Exploitation of a minor for commercial sex is human trafficking, regardless of whether any form of force, fraud, or coercion was used.

Victim-Survivors

There is no single profile of a trafficking victim. Victims of human trafficking can be anyone—regardless of race, color, national origin, disability, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, education level, or citizenship status.  But as is the case in many crimes of exploitation and abuse, human traffickers often prey upon members of marginalized communities and other vulnerable individuals, including children in the child welfare system or children who have been involved in the juvenile justice system; runaway and homeless youth; unaccompanied children; persons who do not have lawful immigration status in the United States; Black people and other people of color; American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and other indigenous peoples of North America; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) individuals; migrant laborers; persons with disabilities; and individuals with substance use disorder.

Vulnerabilities

Although there is no defining characteristic that all human trafficking victims share, traffickers around the world frequently prey on individuals whose vulnerabilities, including poverty, limited English proficiency, or lack of lawful immigration status, are exacerbated by lack of stable, safe housing, and limited economic and educational opportunities. Trafficking victims are deceived by false promises of love, a good job, or a stable life and are lured or forced into situations where they are made to work under deplorable conditions with little or no pay.  In the United States, trafficking victims can be American or foreign citizens.

Victims can be found in legal and illegal labor industries, including child care, elder care, the drug trade, massage parlors, nail and hair salons, restaurants, hotels, factories, and farms. In some cases, victims are hidden behind doors in domestic servitude in a home. Others are in plain view, interact with people on a daily basis, and are forced to work under extreme circumstances in exotic dance clubs, factories, or restaurants. Victims can be exploited for commercial sex in numerous contexts, including on the street, in illicit massage parlors, cantinas, brothels, or through escort services and online advertising. Trafficking situations can be found across the United States.

Traffickers

Just as there is no one type of trafficking victim, perpetrators of this crime also vary. Traffickers can be foreign nationals or U.S. citizens, family members, partners, acquaintances, and strangers. They can act alone or as part of an organized criminal enterprise. People often incorrectly assume that all traffickers are males; however, the United States has prosecuted cases against women traffickers. Traffickers can be pimps, gang members, diplomats, business owners, labor brokers, and farm, factory, and company owners.

Learn about what the Department of Justice is doing to combat human trafficking.

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• Introduction

The trafficking scheme

Types of exploitation, legal response, human trafficking as organized crime, prevention and control of human trafficking.

human trafficking

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• United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime - Human Trafficking
• U.S Department of Homeland Security - Blue Campaign - What is Human Trafficking?
• National Crime Agency - Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
• Social Sciences LibreTexts - Trafficking in Persons
• U.S. Department of State - Understanding Human Trafficking
• National Center for Biotechnology Information - Human Trafficking
• human trafficking - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
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human trafficking , form of modern-day slavery involving the illegal transport of individuals by force or deception for the purpose of labour , sexual exploitation , or activities in which others benefit financially. Human trafficking is a global problem affecting people of all ages. It is estimated that approximately 1,000,000 people are trafficked each year globally and that between 20,000 and 50,000 are trafficked into the United States , which is one of the largest destinations for victims of the sex-trafficking trade.

Although human trafficking is recognized as a growing international phenomenon, one with a long history (see the story of St. Josephine Bakhita , the patron saint of Sudan and of victims of human trafficking), a uniform definition has yet to be internationally adopted. The United Nations (UN) divides human trafficking into three categories— sex trafficking , labour trafficking, and the removal of organs —and defines human trafficking as the induction by force, fraud , or coercion of a person to engage in the sex trade, or the harbouring, transportation, or obtaining of a person for labour service or organ removal. Though the United States does not acknowledge the removal of organs in its definition, it does recognize sex and labour trafficking and describes human trafficking as the purposeful transportation of an individual for exploitation.

Human traffickers often create transnational routes for transporting migrants who are driven by unfavourable living conditions to seek the services of a smuggler. Human trafficking usually starts in origin countries—namely, Southeast Asia , eastern Europe , and sub-Saharan Africa —where recruiters seek migrants through various mediums such as the Internet , employment agencies, the media, and local contacts. Middlemen who recruit from within the origin country commonly share the cultural background of those migrating. Migrants view the services of a smuggler as an opportunity to move from impoverished conditions in their home countries to more stable, developed environments .

Because such circumstances make it difficult for victims to obtain legitimate travel documents, smugglers supply migrants with fraudulent passports or visas and advise them to avoid detection by border-control agents. Transporters, in turn, sustain the migration process through various modes of transportation: land, air, and sea. Although victims often leave their destination country voluntarily, the majority are unaware that they are being recruited for a trafficking scheme. Some may be kidnapped or coerced, but many are bribed by false job opportunities, passports, or visas. Transporters involved in trafficking victims from the origin country are compensated only after they have taken migrants to the responsible party in the destination country. Immigration documents, whether legitimate or fraudulent, are seized by the traffickers. After this, victims are often subjected to physical and sexual abuse , and many are forced into labour or the sex trade in order to pay off their migratory debts.

The cause of human trafficking stems from adverse circumstances in origin countries, including religious persecution, political dissension, lack of employment opportunities, poverty , wars , and natural disasters. Another causal factor is globalization , which has catapulted developing countries into the world’s market, increasing the standard of living and contributing to the overall growth of the global economy. Unfortunately, globalization is a double-edged sword in that it has shaped the world’s market for the transportation of illegal migrants, affording criminal organizations the ability to expand their networks and create transnational routes that facilitate the transporting of migrants. The U.S. Department of State adds that the HIV/AIDS epidemic has generated a large number of orphans and child-headed households, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, a situation that creates fertile soil for trafficking and servitude.

The most prevalent form of human trafficking that results in servitude is the recruitment and transport of people into the international sex industry. Sex slavery involves males and females, both adults and children, and constitutes an estimated 58 percent of all trafficking activities. It consists of different types of servitude, including forced prostitution , pornography , child sex rings, and sex-related occupations such as nude dancing and modeling. Forced prostitution is a very old form of enslavement, and recruitment into this lifestyle is often a booming business for purveyors of the sex trade. Victims of sexual slavery are often manipulated into believing that they are being relocated to work in legitimate forms of employment. Those who enter the sex industry as prostitutes are exposed to inhumane and potentially fatal conditions, especially with the prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Additionally, some countries, including India , Nepal , and Ghana , have a form of human trafficking known as ritual (religion-based) slavery, in which young girls are provided as sexual slaves to atone for the sins of family members.

Forced labour has likely been around since shortly after the dawn of humankind, though there are a number of different forms of modern involuntary servitude that can go easily unnoticed by the general public. Debt bondage (also called peonage ), is the enslavement of people for unpaid debts and is one of the most common forms of contemporary forced labour. Similarly, contract slavery uses false or deceptive contracts to justify or explain forced slavery. In the United States the majority of nonsex labourers are forced into domestic service, followed by agriculture, sweatshops , and restaurant and hotel work.

Children are often sold or sent to areas with the promise of a better life but instead encounter various forms of exploitation. Domestic servitude places “extra children” (children from excessively large families) into domestic service, often for extended periods of time. Other trafficked children are often forced to work in small-scale cottage industries, manufacturing operations, and the entertainment and sex industry. They are frequently required to work for excessive periods of time, under extremely hazardous working conditions, and for little or no wages . Sometimes they become “street children” and are used for prostitution, theft , begging, or the drug trade. Children are also sometimes trafficked into military service as soldiers and experience armed combat at very young ages.

Another recent and highly controversial occurrence involving human trafficking is the abduction or deception that results in the involuntary removal of bodily organs for transplant . For years there have been reports from China that human organs were harvested from executed prisoners without the consent of family members and sold to transplant recipients in various countries. There have also been reported incidents of the removal and transport of organs by medical and hospital employees. In addition, there have been claims that impoverished people sell organs such as kidneys for cash or collateral . Although there have been some allegations of trafficking of human fetuses for use in the cosmetics and drug industry, these reports have not been substantiated . In recent years the Internet has been used as a medium for the donors and recipients of organ trafficking, whether legal or not.

Although the practice of trafficking humans is not new, concerted efforts specifically to curtail human trafficking did not emerge until the mid-1990s, when public awareness of the issue also emerged. The first step to eradicating this problem was to convince multiple stakeholders that human trafficking was a problem warranting government intervention. As antitrafficking rhetoric gained momentum, efforts to address human trafficking crossed ideological and political lines. Recognizing the inadequacy of then-existing laws, the U.S. Congress passed the first comprehensive federal legislation specifically addressing human trafficking, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA). The primary goal of the TVPA is to provide protection and assistance to trafficking victims, to encourage international response, and to provide assistance to foreign countries in drafting antitrafficking programs and legislation. The TVPA seeks to successfully combat human trafficking by employing a three-pronged strategy: prosecution, protection, and prevention. Many federal agencies are given the oversight of human trafficking, including the Departments of Justice , Homeland Security , Health and Human Services , and Labor and the U.S. Agency for International Development. The primary U.S. agency charged with monitoring human trafficking is the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (also called the trafficking office).

In addition to the U.S., many governmental entities throughout the world are actively engaged in the attempt to stop or at least slow the activity of trafficking in humans. In 2000 the UN established the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children , which provided a commonly accepted working definition of human trafficking and called upon countries to promulgate laws to combat the practice, to assist victims, and to promote coordination and cooperation between countries.

The Office of Drugs and Crime is the UN arm that monitors and implements policies concerning human trafficking and is the designer of the Global Program Against Trafficking in Human Beings (GPAT). Another important international agency with responsibility in this area is Interpol , whose aims are to provide assistance to all national criminal justice agencies and to raise awareness of the issue. Other involved global organizations include the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Human trafficking is a highly structured and organized criminal activity. The criminal enterprises need to transport a large number of migrants over a substantial distance, have a well-organized plan to execute the various stages of the crime , and possess a substantial amount of money for such undertakings. Human traffickers have developed a multibillion-dollar industry by exploiting those forced or willing to migrate. For this reason, migrant trafficking is increasingly recognized as a form of organized crime . Trafficking networks may encompass anything from a few loosely associated freelance criminals to large organized criminal groups acting in concert.

Human trafficking is a lucrative criminal activity, touted as the third most profitable business for organized crime, after drugs and the arms trade, at an estimated $32 billion per year. In fact, narcotics trafficking and human trafficking are often intertwined, using the same actors and routes into a country. Migrant trafficking is one of the fastest-growing criminal enterprises. Traffickers resort to other illicit activities to legitimize their proceeds, such as laundering the money obtained not only from trafficking but also from forced labour, sex industries, and the drug trade. To protect their investment, traffickers use terroristic threats as a means of control over their victims and demonstrate power through the threat of deportation, the seizing of travel documentation, or violence against the migrants or their family members remaining in the origin country.

Trafficking is a transnational crime that requires international cooperation, and the United States has taken a lead in promoting intercontinental cooperation. The TVPA provides assistance to foreign governments in facilitating the drafting of antitrafficking laws, the strengthening of investigations, and the prosecuting of offenders. Countries of origin, transit, and destination of trafficking victims are encouraged to adopt minimal antitrafficking standards. These minimal standards consist of prohibiting severe forms of trafficking, prescribing sanctions proportionate to the act, and making a concerted effort to combat organized trafficking.

Foreign governments are to make a sustained effort to cooperate with the international community , assist in the prosecution of traffickers, and protect victims of trafficking. If governments fail to meet the minimum standards or fail to make strides to do so, the United States may cease financial assistance beyond humanitarian and trade-related aid. Furthermore, these countries will face opposition from the United States in obtaining support from financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund . The U.S. Department of State annually reports antitrafficking efforts in the Trafficking in Persons Report on countries considered to have a significant trafficking problem.

5 Essays On Human Trafficking You Can Access Freely Online

Every country faces specific human rights issues, but human trafficking is a problem for every place on the planet. Wherever there’s poverty, conflict, a lack of education, or political instability, vulnerable people are at risk. Human trafficking is the world’s fastest-growing criminal industry. Sexual exploitation brings in most of the billions of dollars of profit, but forced labor also generates wealth. The universality of human trafficking doesn’t negate the fact that the issue is multi-faceted and as a multitude of root causes . Certain countries are more dangerous than others and certain people groups are more vulnerable. To learn more about specific human trafficking issues and solutions, here are five essays you can read or download for free:

“Human Trafficking and Exploitation: A Global Health Concern”

By: Cathy Zimmerman and Ligia Kiss

While labor migration can be beneficial to workers and employers, it’s also a hotbed for exploitation. In this essay from PLOS, the authors argue that human trafficking and the exploitation of low-wage workers have significant negative health impacts. Because of the magnitude of human trafficking, health concerns constitute a public health problem. Thanks to certain business models that depend on disposable labor, exploitation is allowed to flourish while protections are weakened. The essay states that trafficking initiatives must focus on stopping exploitation within each stage of labor migration. This essay introduces a special collection from PLOS on human trafficking and health. It’s the first medical journal collection on this topic. It includes pieces on child sex trafficking in the United States and the slavery of sea workers in South East Asia. Cathy Zimmerman and Ligia Kiss, the guest editors and authors of the first essay, are from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

“Introducing The Slave Next Door”

By: Jen Birks and Alison Gardner

Published in a special issue of the Anti-Trafficking Review on public perceptions and responses to human trafficking, this essay focuses on Great Britain. According to the essay, there’s been a shift in what the public thinks about trafficking based on local reporting and anti-slavery campaigns. British communities are starting to realize how prevalent human trafficking is in their own backyards. The essay takes a closer look at the media and campaigns, how they’re representing cases, and what people are doing with the information. While specific to Britain, it’s a good example of how people can perceive trafficking within their borders.

Jen Birks is an Assistant Professor in media at the Department of Cultural, Media, and visual Studies at the University of Nottingham. Alison Gardner is at the School of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Nottingham with a Nottingham Research Fellowship. She is part of the university’s Rights Lab.

“My Family’s Slave”

By: Alex Tizon

One of The Atlantic’s biggest stories of 2017, this essay tells a personal story of modern slavery. At 18-years old, Lola was given to the writer’s mother and when they moved to the United States, Lola came with them. On the outside, Tizon’s family was, in his words, “a poster family.” The truth was much darker. The essay sparked countless reader responses, including those of people who were once slaves themselves. Reading both the criticism and praise of the essay is just as valuable as the essay itself.

Alex Tizon died at age 57 years old before his essay was published. He had a successful career as a writer and reporter, sharing a Pulitzer Prize while a staff member at The Seattle Times. He also published a 2014 memoir Big Little Man: In Search of My Asian Self.

“Vietnam’s Human Trafficking Problem Is Too Big To Ignore”

By: Thoi Nguyen

In November 2019, 39 Vietnamese people were found dead in a truck container. They were identified as victims of a human trafficking ring. In Nguyen’s article, he explores the facts about the severity of human trafficking in Vietnam. For years, anti-slavery groups have warned the UK about a rise in trafficking, but it took a tragedy for people to start paying attention. Nguyen discusses who is vulnerable to trafficking, how trafficking functions, and Vietnam’s response.

Freelance journalist Thoi Nguyen is a member of Chatham House and a member of Amnesty International UK. In addition to human trafficking, he writes about the economy, finance, and foreign affairs. He’s a specialist in South East Asian geopolitics.

“History Repeats Itself: Some New Faces Behind Sex Trafficking Are More Familiar Than You Think”

By: Mary Graw Leary

This essay highlights how human trafficking isn’t only a criminal enterprise, it’s also an economic one. Leary looks specifically at how businesses that benefit (directly or indirectly) from slavery have always fought against efforts to end it. The essay focuses on government efforts to disrupt online sex trafficking and how companies are working to prevent that from happening. Human trafficking is a multi-billion dollar industry, so it makes sense that even legitimate businesses benefit. Knowing what these businesses are is essential to ending trafficking.

Mary Graw Leary is a former federal prosecutor and currently a professor of law at The Catholic University of America. The Chair of the United States Sentencing Commission’s Victim Advocacy Group, she’s an expert in exploitation, missing persons, human trafficking, and technology.

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About the author, emmaline soken-huberty.

Emmaline Soken-Huberty is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon. She started to become interested in human rights while attending college, eventually getting a concentration in human rights and humanitarianism. LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and climate change are of special concern to her. In her spare time, she can be found reading or enjoying Oregon’s natural beauty with her husband and dog.

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• About Sexual Violence
• Risk and Protective Factors
• Measures of Sexual Victimization

About Sex Trafficking

• Sex trafficking exploits people of all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, citizenship statuses, and income levels.
• Learn to recognize the signs of sex trafficking, prevention opportunities, and know where to get help.

What is sex trafficking?

Sex trafficking is a type of human trafficking and is a form of modern-day slavery. It is a serious public health problem that negatively affects the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Human trafficking occurs when a trafficker exploits an individual with force, fraud, or coercion to perform commercial sex acts or work.

Sex trafficking is defined by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 as "the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act." It involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to make an adult engage in commercial sex acts. However, any commercial sexual activity with a minor, even without force, fraud, or coercion, is considered trafficking.

This type of violence exploits women, men, and children across the United States and around the world. Trafficking victimization and perpetration share risks and consequences associated with child abuse and neglect , intimate partner violence , sexual violence , and youth violence .

People at increased risk

Perpetrators often target people experiencing poverty, living in an unsafe situation, or searching for a better life. Victims can come from all backgrounds and become trapped in different locations and situations.

Many victims are women and girls, though men and boys are also impacted. Victims include all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, citizens, non-citizens, and income levels. Victims are trapped and controlled through assault, threats, false promises, perceived sense of protection, isolation, shaming, and debt. Victims do not have to be physically transported between locations to be victimized.

The consequences of sex trafficking are similar to the consequences of sexual violence. Consequences can be immediate and long-term including physical and relationship problems, psychological concerns, and negative chronic health outcomes. Read more about common issues seen in victims of trafficking .

Sex trafficking is preventable. Many prevention and response efforts are focused on increasing community awareness of human trafficking and addressing exploitation after it occurs. To prevent trafficking from occurring, more research is needed to evaluate programs and policies that reduce factors that put people at risk.

Understanding the shared risk and protective factors for violence can help us prevent trafficking from happening in the first place. Strategies based on the best available evidence exist to prevent related forms of violence, and they may also reduce sex trafficking. Read more about HHS' National Human Trafficking Prevention Framework , which outlines a public health approach to preventing human trafficking.

States and communities can implement and evaluate efforts that:

• Encourage healthy behaviors in relationships.
• Create safe homes and neighborhoods by addressing factors like economic conditions, housing, and education.
• Identify and address vulnerabilities during health care visits.
• End business profits from trafficking-related transactions.

Everyone can learn to recognize the signs of trafficking and know where to get help.

Need help? Know someone who does?‎

Sexual violence prevention.

Sexual violence can have a profound impact on lifelong health, opportunity, and well-being. CDC works to understand the problem of sexual violence and prevent it.

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What Is Human Trafficking? A Review Essay

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Human Trafficking Essay Topics, Outline, & Example [2024]

“People for sale” is a phrase that describes exactly what human trafficking is. It also makes for an attention-grabbing title for an essay on this subject. You are going to talk about a severe problem, so it’s crucial to hook the reader from the get-go.

A human trafficking essay is an assignment where you discuss causes, effects, or potential solutions to the problem of modern slavery. A well-written essay can help raise awareness of this complicated issue.

In this article by our custom writing experts, you will find:

• 220 human trafficking essay topics;
• a writing guide;
• an essay sample;
• helpful info on human trafficking.
• 🔝 Top 10 Topics
• ❓ What Is Human Trafficking?
• ✍️ Topics for Any Essay Type
• 📝 Essay Outline
• 📑 Essay Sample
• ✏️ Frequent Questions

🔝 Top 10 Human Trafficking Essay Topics

• History of slavery.
• Slavery in literature.
• Human trafficking awareness.
• Modern slavery: legislation.
• Cultural background of traffickers.
• Globalization and human trafficking.
• Human trafficking vs. human rights.
• Modern slavery and kidnapping.
• Human trafficking rates by country.
• Human trafficking effects on the economy.

❓ What Is Human Trafficking?

The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime determines human trafficking as the recruitment, transportation, harboring, or receipt of persons for the purpose of sexual slavery, exploitation, forced labor, organs removal, etc.

According to the recent reports of the Council of Europe,  human trafficking rates have reached epidemic proportions . Millions of people are being trafficked for different reasons, primarily for sexual exploitation and forced labor. Women and children are the primary victims of human trafficking , which makes the problem especially acute.

One of the most worrying factors that directly impact the increase in trafficking rates is the growing number of refugees and migrants. It’s the largest seen since WWII, and it has intensified during the last years.

Types of Human Trafficking

Before you start writing your essay, it’s essential to review the forms of human trafficking. Knowing them will help you see the bigger picture. Here are the most common ones.

Additionally, victims of human smuggling and child trafficking are often involved in various kinds of labor. While sexual exploitation is one of the major reasons for trafficking, it’s not the only one. These are also serious problems that you can focus on in your essay.

According to Polaris Project, there are 25 types of modern slavery . Among them are:

• Manufacturing in sweatshops;
• Agricultural work;
• Food and cleaning services;
• Beauty and massage salons.

Note that each of these practices has unique traits. It means there are specific methods of recruitment and control associated with them. Make sure to take all essential features of human trafficking into account when writing your essay.

The History of Human Trafficking

If we go back in time, we can see that human trafficking has a long history. Here are some of its milestones:

As you now know, human trafficking is inextricably linked to other crimes against human rights. And the eradication of this phenomenon depends on both governments and ordinary citizens.

What Is Being Done to Stop Human Trafficking

In recent decades, a lot has been done to curb slavery. The United Nations General Assembly has established the World Day against Trafficking in Persons on July 30 . It was done to raise awareness of the situation and promote and protect victims’ rights.

One of the essential frameworks used to combat human trafficking is the 3P: prosecution, protection, and prevention .

Sometimes “ partnership ” is added as the fourth P. Since human trafficking became a pandemic, it requires a combined effort of people working together to overcome this problem. You can learn more about the 3P paradigm from this article by the US Department of State .

You may ask, “What can I do?” Here are some ways in which anyone can help fight human trafficking:

• In each country, there is a hotline where you can report on a known case of human trafficking or an attempt at recruiting.
• Be attentive to various kinds of controversial proposals and promises of a better life.
• Try to avoid bad company.

These recommendations may seem simple, but they can help you stay away from danger, spread awareness, and even save lives.

Before you start writing a human trafficking essay, you need to find a compelling topic. Check out the following list of topics and prompts and choose a subject that interests you.

✍️ Human Trafficking Topics for Any Essay Type

Human Trafficking Argumentative Essay Topics

• We should let survivors inform the public about the dangers of trafficking.
• State laws should protect the rights of trafficking survivors.
• Victim behavior is not the reason for the actions of criminals.
• Present medical facts about the ability of humans to survive a trauma.
• What psychological techniques do criminals use to lure victims?
• School is a safe haven for children from disadvantaged families.
• High social status is not a guarantee of protection against traffickers.
• Deception as a tool for controlling victims of modern slavery.
• Family can provide significant support to a victim of human trafficking.
• Physical violence and threats are the chief tools for controlling traffickers.
• Health workers should follow safety rules when rescuing trafficking victims .
• Countries providing financial advantages for anonymous economic activities should be held accountable.
• Psychologists should comply with ethical standards when assisting victims of trafficking.
• Countries with high trafficking rates should develop maps showing hotspots.
• Victims of modern slavery are not to blame: justification from the criminal perspective.
• Whom should we hold responsible for what happens to the victims in captivity?
• Will economic support for vulnerable groups help reduce the level of human trafficking?
• Prolonged captivity reduces the chances of adaptation after release.
• Exercise and physical activity help victims of trafficking to overcome trauma.
• Medication alone is ineffective in combating PTSD among trafficking victims.

Human Trafficking Argumentative Essay Prompts & Tips

• Who is responsible for human trafficking—the government, police, or society? There is no sufficient progress in stopping human trafficking. This is mainly due to the absence of an unequivocal opinion about who is responsible for the situation. Give your own ideas in this essay.
• The need to inform the public about human trafficking. Demonstrate the necessity to convey this information to the masses. You can also suggest ways of doing it.
• Immediate assistance for the victims of modern slavery. Show why it is important to provide psychological aid to rescued victims. What is the role of nurses and community organizations in it?
• Psychological help to victims of human trafficking: group therapy. Group therapy is based on awareness and acceptance of trauma. These actions are the basis of PTSD treatment. Decide whether it’s the optimal solution for victims’ psychological rehabilitation.
• Countries with widespread human trafficking should develop appropriate laws. Legislation changes are a crucial element of an integrated approach. In this essay, provide a list of existing laws and possible new regulations.
• The devastating impact of modern slavery. Describe the disastrous consequences that victims of human trafficking face. Find stories describing their lives in various media. How did they become victims? What happened to them after release from captivity?
• Tightening police measures as a way to stop human trafficking. Women and children are especially vulnerable targets for traffickers. Demonstrate the need to enable the police to protect them better.
• The high rate of trafficking indicates a high crime rate in a country. Determine which countries have the highest human trafficking rates. What are the related crimes observed there? Is there a correlation?
• The use of technology to catch criminals and traffickers. In this essay, discuss technologies that can help officials stop traffickers. For instance, satellite imagery allows identifying places of victims’ detention.
• International financial law is one of the best ways to stop human trafficking. Would the right to disclose anonymous bank accounts help reduce such crimes? What new laws and agreements are required to allow this?

For an argumentative essay, you need to conduct extensive research and present evidence to support your claim (check out our argumentative essay guide to learn more.) Here are the main steps:

Human Trafficking Persuasive Essay Topics

• An anti-trafficking tax will help decrease the modern slavery rates.
• Is preventing new cases of slavery more critical than saving victims?
• Modern slavery is a serious problem that the CIA should address.
• Ignoring human trafficking is the same as neglecting Nazism.
• Forced labor is an economic problem as it is caused by poverty.
• Border control no longer solves the problem of forced labor.
• Should producers of weapons pay an anti-trafficking tax?
• Imprisonment for paying for escort services will stop human trafficking.
• Will stricter gun control laws help stop human trafficking?
• Victims of human trafficking should receive lifetime financial compensation.
• Human trafficking is a national problem that requires coordination of efforts.
• Treatment of human trafficking victims is a responsibility of society as well as psychologists.
• Two-year state-funded hospital treatment will help survivors to cope with the trauma.
• Are social networks a determining factor in the spread of human trafficking?
• Assess gender disparity in using the labor of human trafficking victims.
• Did the political polarization of society lead to an increase in people smuggling?
• Immigration laws are an effective means of combating modern slavery.
• Human traffickers’ family members capable of domestic violence should share responsibility with criminals.
• Civil and human rights protection laws do not sufficiently address human trafficking.
• People smuggling is not a crime from the criminals’ perspective: is this statement true?

Tips & Persuasive Essay Prompts Related to Human Trafficking

• The President must take personal responsibility. The problem of human trafficking is more acute than ever. It requires the immediate intervention of the President and Vice President. For example, they can declare the upcoming year the year of the fight against human trafficking.
• Criminals guilty of human trafficking should be kept in special prisons. The government should create special jails for rapists and human traffickers with a stricter regime. Moreover, we should prevent these criminals from becoming part of society again. Is this proposal fair?
• Trafficking should be punished with life imprisonment . Today, life imprisonment is mainly reserved for murder. Should human trafficking be penalized to the fullest extent?
• Can self-defense lessons help to avoid the risk of being captured by traffickers? Do you agree that schools should introduce a martial arts training system?
• State laws should permit surveillance in regions with high trafficking rates. Debate whether security is more important than the right to anonymity. Should the government allow the police to access people’s data?
• Public organizations that help the survivors should take official responsibility. If non-governmental associations take it, they can receive financial support. It will help them cooperate more effectively with the police. Do you agree?
• The existence of human trafficking in a country: deontology, utilitarianism and egoism. The United States is officially a democracy. However, the human trafficking rates show that America is close to a feudal society. Criminal ties among the upper class also enforce it.
• Fines as a way to motivate social workers and patrol officers to fight human trafficking. Many activists and police officers work in areas with high human trafficking rates. Do you agree that governments should fine them? Would a system of moderate fines motivate them to be more responsible?
• People who cannot pay rent are easy targets for traffickers. The government should prevent homelessness to combat human trafficking. For instance, it can compensate for the rent of vulnerable demographics.
• Homelessness as the main reason for being captured by traffickers. Homelessness deprives a person of protection. States with the highest human trafficking rates should start building shelters for the homeless. The state should provide them with food, clothing, jobs, and education. This way, traffickers won’t capture them into slavery.

A persuasive essay aims to convince the reader to share your opinion. You can do it by citing facts and statistics (check out our persuasive essay guide for more info.) Here’s how to write it:

Human Trafficking Informative Essay Topics

• How do international organizations fight modern slavery?
• Human trafficking in developed African countries.
• Outline the demography of human trafficking in the US .
• How does society stigmatize trafficking survivors?
• Fair trade as a way to combat modern slavery.
• Sex trafficking from a feminist perspective.
• The role of photography in the fight against forced labor.
• Fighting human trafficking on the dark web.
• Media coverage of human trafficking: ethical aspects.
• Review how anyone can help combat human trafficking.
• Association of human trafficking with social insecurity.
• How can medical institutions provide safety to victims of trafficking?
• Review the political and economic effects of human trafficking in the US.
• What lessons can the US learn from the trafficking situation in Eastern Europe?
• Forced labor and higher education in the US: programs for survivors.
• What US laws protect victims of slavery and define criminal activities?
• Review government statistics on forced labor in the US over the last five years.
• Which American states have the highest human trafficking rates?
• Modern slavery in the Arab world: from ancient times to modern days.
• Using technology to combat forced labor: the latest solutions.

Tips & Informative Writing Prompts for Human Trafficking Essays

• Measures that governments can take to reduce human trafficking. Review legal and informative measures to combat modern slavery. You can base this essay on reports from official government agencies.
• Human trafficking: types, symptoms , and effects. For this essay, present the kinds of trafficking according to the official categorization. It includes divisions according to age, gender, and type of forced labor. You can also describe the symptoms commonly found in victims.
• The history of human trafficking: from ancient times to the 21 st century. Start by describing ancient cultures that used forced labor. Alternatively, you may focus on the history of slavery in the US. Include the latest statistics on reported cases of human trafficking.
• Human trafficking and fundamental humanistic values. Outline humanistic values that are violated by forced labor. Back it up with arguments drawn from the works of famous humanists.
• What are the consequences of human trafficking for victims? Describe the trauma that people develop while in captivity. Use reports from national and global organizations. What physiological symptoms are associated with adaptation after release?
• How does the US deal with the problem of reporting on forced labor? Present ways of communicating the risks of human trafficking. Base this essay on government anti-trafficking reports. Include a list of trafficker indicators and other red flags.
• Environments that put a person in danger of becoming a victim of human trafficking. These include unemployment , homelessness, and the absence of immigration status. You can base this essay on data from governmental reports.
• Informing the population as means of reducing human trafficking rates. Does informing people actually reduce the number of potential victims? Review the best informing strategies used by community organizations.
• Why are migrants the most vulnerable population group in terms of human trafficking? In this essay, provide information on migrants’ life circumstances. Mention the aspects that make them the most vulnerable demographic. Examples include unemployment and insecurity before the law. You can also present the most common schemes by which traffickers capture migrants.
• New approaches to mitigating the effects of modern slavery in psychotherapy. Describe what methods therapists use to help slavery victims. You can present a list of optimal practices for restoring the integrity of survivors’ personalities. For this essay on human trafficking, use scientific articles and reports from practicing therapists.

An informative essay should educate the reader on something they didn’t know before. Have a look at this outline:

Topics for an Expository Essay on Human Trafficking

• Assess social adaptation methods for victims of sexual slavery.
• Social adaptation of men who worked for traffickers in captivity.
• Police memo: evidence sufficient to detain a trafficker.
• Describe how to identify a trafficker based on 7 criteria.
• Power of the image: photo reports on human trafficking.
• Anonymous story of a sexual slavery survivor.
• Present a psychological and demographic portrait of a trafficker.
• Describe the conditions of human traffickers’ detention.
• Dealing with trauma in children who have been in labor slavery.
• Human trafficking in the Southern and Northern states.
• How to restore citizenship and documents after release from captivity.
• How can human trafficking survivors get free medical care?
• Who is more effective in stopping human trafficking: government agencies or community organizations?
• Being in captivity during the war, in forced labor, or sexual slavery: psychological consequences.
• Gender differences in human trafficking victims’ labor.
• Modern slavery’s connection to the criminal underworld in the Northern states.
• Enumerate the reasons why homeless people can end up in captivity.
• How many years does adaptation take for human trafficking survivors?
• Explore the modern meaning of the word “slavery.”
• Discuss ways of psychological support for the families of slavery victims.

Modern Day Slavery Writing Prompts & Tips for Expository Essays

• Human trafficking and modern slavery: real stories told by the media. Review several articles about falling into slavery. You can focus on press coverage from the 2010s. The stories of survivors will speak for themselves.
• Non-governmental organizations of the USA assisting victims: the power of community . Present five influential organizations from California, Texas, Florida, Ohio, and Nevada. Assess the personal contributions of staff. What is the role of local communities?
• How to help a friend if they’ve become a victim of human trafficking. In this essay, list tactics and strategies for assisting forced labor victims. Pay particular attention to compliance with safety regulations.
• What is it like to be a forced labor victim? A more creative task is to describe the situation from the inside. Can victims try to escape and free themselves from slavery? What is the role of psychological pressure from traffickers? How can an ordinary person cope with such a monstrous challenge?
• Prostitution, forced labor, and organ trafficking: a comparison. In addition, describe what forms of modern slavery prevail in different countries.
• Therapy methods in human trafficking survivors. Review what therapy practices are the most suitable for working with the survivors.
• An overview of common human trafficking schemes. These often involve vulnerable demographics, including illegal immigrants and adolescents from underprivileged communities.
• In what conditions do human trafficking victims live? In this paper, explain how life in captivity affects one’s mental health. Determine the connections between trauma and the body’s response to it.
• Ways of integration of human trafficking survivors. Review the best strategies for their adaptation to everyday life. Give examples of social adaptation that include education and employment.
• Human trafficking in the Southern and Border States. Study the situation in Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, and Arizona. Then, describe how to solve the problem. Don’t forget to emphasize the role of social work with illegal migrants.

An expository essay includes a thesis statement, evidence, and a logical conclusion. You can also use elements of creative writing in your paper (feel free to read our expository essay guide for more info.) Here are the main steps:

Human Trafficking Research Paper Topics

• Survival in an unfamiliar city: is an escape from slavery possible?
• What prevents citizens from recognizing victims of human trafficking?
• Are monthly payments for human trafficking survivors justified?
• Dietary adaptation for malnourished forced labor survivors.
• How do the police investigate slavery markets?
• Economic levers to combat human trafficking: practical approaches.
• Describe global criminal connections that lead to modern slavery.
• Being in captivity leads to psychological trauma inherited by victims’ children.
• The use of figureheads on social media is a successful tactic against traffickers.
• Five app projects that will help avoid becoming a human trafficking victim.
• We should ban goods produced by forced labor worldwide.
• Human trafficking transportation problems as an opportunity to catch criminals.
• Research the use of symbolic language in informing victims of human trafficking.
• Funding for the installation of video surveillance systems to catch traffickers.
• People from what socio-economic background are the most vulnerable to child labour and exploitation?
• How can we combat human trafficking during a pandemic?
• Ethics of business and economic relations as a way to combat slavery.
• Informing vulnerable groups about human trafficking and attracting them to cooperation.
• Coordinated interaction of police departments is the key to success in combating people smuggling.

Human Trafficking Research Paper Prompts & Tips

• Deficiencies in US law determine success or failure in the fight against human trafficking. US legislation on human trafficking includes several rules. International acts and agreements also guide it. Nonetheless, the US laws, especially in the leading states, require urgent revision.
• Human trafficking as modern slavery: history repeating itself. Draw analogies between the trends and schemes from the past and the present. What historical practices can be effective in combating slavery? In particular, this concerns the anti-slavery movement and public awareness.
• Domestic human trafficking in the US shows increasing tendencies. Here, analyze the growth of domestic human trafficking cases. Demonstrate the need to create new approaches to catch criminals.
• Technology companies can stop human trafficking. The luring of victims often occurs on social media. Should social networking companies be penalized for failing to act against criminals?
• Can social media campaigns help protect potential victims? It’s necessary to create a program that will inform users about the dangers of trafficking. This method of targeted communication can be very effective.
• City officials should be ready to engage in the fight against modern slavery. Provide examples of American cities that are actively fighting human trafficking. What approaches and practices can be adopted throughout the US?
• Medical institutions are the main asset in combating human trafficking. More than three-quarters of victims receive medical care while in captivity. Health workers have the legal right to place a patient in a hospital and protect them from contact with criminals. This approach has been successful in many states.
• The police have insufficient funding to combat human trafficking. The police are conducting successful investigations, and there are many cases of solved human trafficking crimes. The state can grant more money to the police to uncover more trafficking schemes. It will allow using more advanced technologies in search of criminals.

• Hotlines should be more accessible to victims of trafficking. Hotlines are highly effective in combating human trafficking. They are easy to find on the Internet, but captive victims rarely have access to the network. How can we improve this situation?
• Families of trafficking victims and their participation in the search. Demonstrate the need to establish a format for families’ closer cooperation with the police. Would it help to conduct police investigations more effectively? Should we allow families to conduct their own investigations?
• The US is responsible for the success of international cooperation against human trafficking.

To write a research paper, you study the available information, analyze it, and make conclusions. Here’s a human trafficking research paper outline:

Causes of Human Trafficking Essay Topics

• Discuss psychological factors of human trafficking.
• What personal reasons make people become traffickers?
• Greed as a major reason for human trafficking.
• What are the major causes of sex trafficking?
• Substantial profit as one of the human trafficking root causes.
• Explore the reasons for forced marriages.
• How does social media promote people trafficking?
• Commercialized sex and its contribution to human trafficking.
• Does authoritarianism promote human trafficking?
• Compare the cases of human trafficking in the United States and Thailand.
• Explore the court cases of traffickers. Does the judicial system cope with its duties?
• Why are weak anti-trafficking policies the primary cause of people’s exploitation?
• Discuss the role of government in human trafficking.
• Investigate the reforms on human trafficking. How effective are these measures?
• Lack of relevant laws leads to more trafficking cases. Do you agree?
• Should legal punishments apply to victims as well as traffickers?
• Why is ethnicity one of the main factors of people trafficking?
• Explore the connection between drug addiction and slavery.
• Violent force and threats as major leverages of traffickers.
• Naivety leads to becoming a victim of traffickers. Provide your arguments.

Causes of Human Trafficking Essay Prompts & Tips

• What are the leading causes of human trafficking? Your essay may start with the definition of people trafficking. Think about social and economic factors. Dig into history to find the reasons. Most importantly, look at this issue from various angles.
• Explore poverty as one of the reasons for human trafficking. How does poverty influence people? Can it force them to behave illegally? What are people ready to do for money?
• Migration: is it a cause or a consequence of human trafficking? Some people are so eager to immigrate to developed countries that they can do anything. They are even ready to sell their children to get money or sell themselves into slavery. At the same time, others become traffickers to move to another country.
• Discuss the connection between human trafficking and education. Think about the following: If a person lacks education, they lack knowledge about their rights. They can be deluded more easily. Following this logic, these individuals can become desired prey for traffickers.
• What is the role of war in human trafficking? Do armed conflicts provoke or prevent the spread of slavery? How do they facilitate the development of this problem? Is smuggling flourishing in countries that are at war? These are excellent questions to start with.
• What are the effects of cheap labor demand? Supply and demand are two pillars of economics. If there were no need for a cheap working force, traffickers wouldn’t exploit people so easily. They force their victims to work almost for free while selling the goods at a high price.
• Investigate institutional racism as a root cause of people trafficking. Who is the most vulnerable social class? Naturally, these are marginalized groups. They lack protection at a constitutional level. That’s why they can become victims of traffickers.
• Cultural and social causes of human trafficking. For some nations, selling children, slavery, smuggling, and bonded labor are commonplace. In some countries, such as Uzbekistan, people are forced to work in the cotton fields by the authorities. If you do research, you will see many similar examples worldwide.
• How do natural disasters facilitate human trafficking? The consequences of some natural disasters force people to migrate and find alternative ways to earn money. Some of them have no other option but to let themselves be exploited. 
• How does the absence of safe migration conditions assist people trafficking?  Many people from developing countries want to move to the United States to achieve their American Dream. Traffickers delude fortune seekers, promising well-paid jobs and help in crossing the border.

Discussing human trafficking in a cause-and-effect essay is an excellent way to investigate this issue in detail. You can learn how to write it from our article on cause-and-effect essays . Here’s a recap:

Solutions to Human Trafficking Essay Topics

• How can employers help stop human trafficking?
• Producing films about slavery : is it a problem solution?
• How can we stop human trafficking by learning the indicators?
• How can people protect themselves from traffickers when going abroad?
• Why should employers stop using cheap labor?
• Compare and contrast solutions to labor and sex trafficking.
• The role of parents and caregivers in preventing forced labor.
• How can civic awareness stop human trafficking?
• What is more important: to persecute traffickers or to protect victims?
• In what ways can attorneys help stop people smuggling? 
• Can creating a reliable online platform for job searching help reduce slavery?
• Educational curriculum : should students be taught how to indicate and prevent human trafficking?
• Investigate the list of goods produced by child exploitation as a form of human trafficking. How does this information influence people’s choices?
• Forewarned is forearmed: discuss the effectiveness of anti-trafficking non-profit websites.
• How can stricter validity checks on job-searching websites solve the issue of modern slavery?
• Can the implementation of severe punishments for human trafficking help to curb the problem?
• Legalization of prostitution as a way of preventing sex trafficking.
• How can timely identification of human trafficking indicators save the lives of the victims?
• Fighting against poverty and unemployment as a means of preventing people smuggling.
• Watching documentaries about modern slavery as a problem solution.

Solutions to Human Trafficking Essay Prompts & Tips

• What are the primary solutions to human trafficking? Think about the following: How can this problem be solved on personal and national levels? It’s crucial to mention self-awareness , education, volunteering, and the role of charity organizations. You may also address the necessity to change the law.
• Human trafficking: an international approach. The issue of modern slavery is a global problem. That’s why it should be dealt with at the international level. The authorities all over the world should unite to fight against people trafficking.
• Compare and contrast the effectiveness of volunteering and adopting new policies. On the one hand, volunteers attract public attention to the issue of human trafficking. On the other hand, we should protect marginalized groups at the constitutional level. Otherwise, human trafficking will remain flourishing in the future.
• Coverage of human trafficking cases in social media. Is it a good idea for the victims to share their stories on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook? How can it help prevent this issue? Could it lead to the stigmatization of these people by others? You can start by brainstorming these ideas.
• Discuss whether fundraising is an effective solution to human trafficking. Ponder on how holding a fundraiser helps bring awareness to the problem of modern slavery. What are some other benefits of fundraising, such as financial assistance?
• Donations help prevent human trafficking. Do you agree? Every person can donate some money, clothes, or even shelter for the victims of human trafficking. Business owners may ensure employment opportunities, giving these people a chance for a better future. Focus on the importance of psychological and legal assistance.
• How does the media help prevent human trafficking? The media attracts people’s attention to the problem. They become more aware and careful. The cases of victims are widely discussed, leading to more fundraising and volunteering .
• Explore the anti-trafficking legislation in the United States. Discuss its strengths and drawbacks. What could be changed or done better? Is it effective? How are the rights of marginalized groups protected? These ideas are only the tip of the iceberg.
• Education opportunities for disadvantaged groups as a way of preventing human trafficking. Should the government provide marginalized people with free education? How can it affect human trafficking? Discuss it in your essay.  
• Why is a boycott an effective way of preventing human trafficking? If others start rejecting the goods produced by the victims of human trafficking, traffickers won’t get such huge profits. Everyone can make their contribution to the fight against this issue.

A problem-solution essay is particularly suitable for discussing modern slavery. Explore the facts and suggest how to stop this inhumane practice. Here’s how to write about problems and their solutions:

If you haven’t found a suitable topic, feel free to use our topic generator .

📝 Human Trafficking Essay Outline

Before you start writing, let’s have a look at some aspects to consider in your college essay on human trafficking. Here’s the basic template:

Human Trafficking Essay Introduction: How to Write

The most important part of an essay introduction is a hook. A perfect attention grabber for a human trafficking paper would demonstrate the seriousness of the problem right away. It, in turn, would make your audience eager to read on.

Have a look at some of the ideas for your essay’s hook:

• Cite statistical data related to the current situation with human trafficking.
• Start with a stirring quote to appeal to readers’ emotions.
• Pose a question related to your essay’s topic. Make the reader want to learn the answer.

Besides the hook, it’s logical to start your essay with some background information. This way, even an unprepared reader will understand your essay’s thesis. Think of what your audience may not know about your topic. It will help you determine what to include in this part of the introduction.

Here are some strategies:

• Tell about the countries and regions with the highest trafficking rates—for example, Thailand, the Philippines, India, South Africa, and Eastern Europe.
• Mention reasons behind this problem: unemployment, social discrimination, political instability, armed conflicts, etc.
• Give a solid definition of human trafficking or its specific type. It’s better to formulate your own one rather than take it from a dictionary.

It’s important to notice that your hook and background information should be relevant to your topic. Make sure these elements help to further the understanding of your essay’s main point.

Human Trafficking Essay Thesis

A thesis statement is your essay’s main point formulated in one sentence. It outlines the paper’s direction and provides an answer to the problem stated in the title. You place it at the end of the introduction.

A good thesis statement for a human trafficking essay usually presents the solution to a problem. However, the thesis’ contents depend on your essay’s type. For example, in an informative essay, you don’t need to prove or suggest anything. Instead, you say what you’re going to explain and how you’ll do it.

Once you’ve written the thesis statement, how do you determine whether it’s strong? Well, one way is to answer the questions from the following checklist.

If your answer to all three questions is “yes,” you can be sure of your thesis’s effectiveness.

Finally, don’t forget that the rest of your essay should support your thesis. If necessary, you can rework your statement to better suit the body paragraphs, or vice versa.

Human Trafficking Essay: Main Body

How do you make your essay on human trafficking credible and persuasive? Naturally, you want to add evidence. Here’s how to incorporate it into your paper:

• It’s better to start collecting your evidence before you start writing. Once you’ve found all the necessary information, it will be easier for you to structure the paragraphs. The point is to focus each section on a single aspect.
• Start each paragraph with a topic sentence. It should present the main idea that you will then support with evidence. Ideally, your audience should be able to follow your logic by reading the topic sentences alone.
• Finally, add your evidence. It can be statistics, facts from scholarly articles, quotes, or even anecdotes. Follow it with your explanation of this information. Say how it relates to the topic and supports your thesis.

Human Trafficking Essay Conclusion: Dos & Don’ts

A strong conclusion is a crucial part of any writing. In this final part, you synthesize your essay in a few sentences while adding a twist to it. If a conclusion is done right, it can leave a lasting impression on your readers.

This dos and don’ts list will help you write a perfect conclusion for a human trafficking essay. Check it out:

Don’t forget to introduce statistics in your essay on human trafficking. It’s available on numerous websites of governmental and non-governmental organizations dealing with the problem. You can find more ideas for your paper in our article about writing a child labor essay.

📑 Human Trafficking Essay Examples

We’ve prepared an outstanding sample essay on human trafficking that you can use as inspiration. You’re welcome to download the PDF file below:

Human trafficking is a global problem. It deprives millions worldwide of their freedom and dignity. Traffickers use various tactics to lure children, men, and women into the trap. For that reason, precaution measures should be taken. It is crucial to educate as many people as possible on the issue to ensure everyone’s safety.

Share your thoughts about human trafficking with us! Why do you think slavery is still in demand? If you were a politician, what would you do to prevent it? Tell us your suggestion in comments below!

Learn more on this topic:

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✏️  Human Trafficking Essay FAQ

Human trafficking is a topical issue in society because it’s an inhumane practice that affects millions of people worldwide. Writing on that topic helps understand why it is happening and what can be done about it.

Human trafficking is a very complex phenomenon driven by various economic, social, cultural, and other causes. Factors of a high human trafficking risk are poverty, social instability, exclusion, and lack of education and awareness (e.g., in South Africa.)

Pretty much every fact connected with human trafficking is horrifying. Nearly everything about this phenomenon can be considered a danger. As human trafficking is a form of slavery, it would be naive to presume there are any positive effects whatsoever.

Human trafficking is a serious problem, and you should be able to express your opinion on it. For example, it can be done in the form of an argumentative essay. It is vital to avoid using too many emotionally charged words. Remember to stay objective and provide facts and examples.

🔗 References

• Tips for Organizing an Argumentative Essay: Judith L. Beumer Writing Center
• Human Trafficking Essay: Bartleby
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment: NHS
• Embrace AI, Technology to Beat Human Traffickers: Reuters
• Essay Writing: Purdue University
• What Is Human Trafficking: Anti-Slavery International
• Human Trafficking: Encyclopedia Britannica
• End Human Trafficking: United Way
• Human Trafficking Facts: CRS
• OSCE Resource Police Training Guide: Trafficking in Human Beings: OSCE
• Study on the Economic, Social and Human Costs of Trafficking in Human Beings Within the EU: Europa.eu
• Writing a Research Paper: University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Human Trafficking: FBI
• Human Trafficking: Causes and Implications: Research Gate
• Writing a Persuasive Essay: Hamilton College
• Parts of an Informative Essay: Pen and the Pad
• Expository Essay Outline: Columbus City Schools
• Introductions & Conclusions: University of Arizona
• Writing the Introduction: Monash University
• How to Write a Thesis Statement: Indiana University Bloomington
• Writing a Thesis Statement: Piedmont University
• 4 Ways Anyone Can Fight Human Trafficking: The Muse
• What Fuels Human Trafficking?: UNISEF USA
• What Is Human Trafficking?: Homeland Security
• Psychological Tactics Used by Human Traffickers: Psychology Today
• Psychological Coercion in Human Trafficking: An Application of Biderman’s Framework: NIH
• Warning Signs of Human Trafficking: State of Nevada
• Human Trafficking: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
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Human Trafficking

1 exploring the complexities of human trafficking networks and victim dynamics.

Dynamics of Human Trafficking and Exploitation The below-referenced article is a substantial research project on human trafficking. The study revealed some facts about the problem and the lack of specific statistics because of the largely secretive nature of the problem with an in-depth analysis of the individual, criminal, network, and structural factors that influence trafficking […]

2 The Complex Reality of Human Trafficking in Southeast Asia

Battling Complex Human Trafficking Threats When it comes to security, it no longer revolves around traditional threats such as military confrontations or territorial disputes. The present world’s threats arise from modern, non-traditional threats such as natural disasters and transnational crimes. In the case of transnational crimes, human trafficking is seemed to be one of the […]

3 Exploring the Complexities of Human Trafficking

The Complex Dynamics of Labor Trafficking Victimization Labor trafficking involves the victimization of people through involuntary labor (De Vries & Farrell, 2018, p. 630). It is considered a form of human trafficking under U.S. Federal law, codified in the Victims of Trafficking Violence Act (TVPA) of 2000, as the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining […]

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4 The Dual Role of Technology in Combating and Facilitating Human Trafficking

Introduction Did you know sex trafficking is one of the fastest-growing criminal enterprises in the world? Many of us are blind to the fact that sex trafficking goes on in our society every day, and many of us have little knowledge of what sex trafficking and human trafficking are. Sex trafficking is the illegal business […]

5 Human Trafficking: Risk Factors and Ethical Responsibilities

Introduction The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS, n.d.) defines human trafficking as “modern-day slavery and involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act” (p.1). Millions of people are said to suffer from being in forced labor. (Zimmerman and Kiss, 2017, p. 1) It is […]

6 Addressing the Urgent Need to Combat Human Trafficking

Introduction Human trafficking is when someone is forced into sexual behaviors. Human trafficking is known as “white slavery.” Human trafficking should be prohibited in the world, and traffickers should serve a reasonable time in jail. No one should ever get used for sex against their own will if they don’t feel comfortable doing it. It […]

7 Human Trafficking: A Growing Epidemic and the Urgent Need for Awareness

Introduction Human trafficking is the new age version of slavery. It involves forcefully taking a person using fraud, lies, and coercion to get some work (labor) or sexual activity in return. Human trafficking does not discriminate against race, ethnicity, male, female, thin, fat, old, or young. There is no concern about one’s religion, income, or […]

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International counter-trafficking: a zero-sum game—introduction to the special issue.

Conflicts of Interest

List of contributions.

• Acién González, Estefanía. 2024. Nigerian Migrant Women and Human Trafficking Narratives: Stereotypes, Stigma and Ethnographic Knowledge. Social Sciences 13: 207.
• Boiro Hamadou and Jónína Einarsdóttir. 2024. Begging for Knowledge in Senegal: Conflicting Understandings and Interests of the Dominant Anti-Trafficking Approach and Quranic Education. Social Sciences 13: 288.
• Clemente Mara, Alba Sierra-Rodríguez, and David Cairns. 2024. Anti-Trafficking Professionals and Institutionalized Violence in Spain: An Exploratory Study. Social Sciences 13: 321.
• Ferčíková Konečná, Irena. 2024. Excluded but Fighting: Where Are the Voices of Sex Workers and Their Allies in EU Anti-Trafficking Policymaking? Social Sciences 13: 148.
• Semprebon, Michela. 2024. Protecting Protection Programmes or Engaging with People? Conditional Inclusion and Evolving Relational Dynamics in Anti-Trafficking Programmes. Social Sciences 13: 218.
• Bernstein, Elisabeth. 2018. Brokered Subjects: Sex, Trafficking, and the Politics of Freedom . Chicago: University of Chicago Press. [ Google Scholar ]
• Clemente, Mara. 2022. The counter-trafficking apparatus in action: Who benefits from it? Dialectical Anthropology 46: 267–89. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Clemente, Mara. 2023. Feminism and counter-trafficking: Exploring the transformative potential of contemporary feminism in Portugal. Social & Legal Studies 32: 420–40. [ Google Scholar ]
• Doezema, Jo. 2010. Sex Slaves and Discourse Masters: The Construction of Trafficking . London: Zed Books. [ Google Scholar ]
• Dottridge, Mike. 2014. Editorial: How is the money to combat human trafficking spent? Anti-Trafficking Review 3: 3–14. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Musto, Jennifer Lynne. 2010. The NGO-ification of the anti-trafficking movement in the United States. In Sex Trafficking, Human Rights, and Social Justice . Edited by Tiantian Zheng. London: Routledge. [ Google Scholar ]
• Piscitelli, Adriana. 2012. Revisiting notions of sex trafficking and victims. Vibrant—Virtual Brazilian Anthropology 9: 274–310. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]

Share and Cite

Clemente, M. International Counter-Trafficking: A Zero-Sum Game?—Introduction to the Special Issue. Soc. Sci. 2024 , 13 , 328. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13070328

Clemente M. International Counter-Trafficking: A Zero-Sum Game?—Introduction to the Special Issue. Social Sciences . 2024; 13(7):328. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13070328

Clemente, Mara. 2024. "International Counter-Trafficking: A Zero-Sum Game?—Introduction to the Special Issue" Social Sciences 13, no. 7: 328. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13070328

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Essay on Human Trafficking

Students are often asked to write an essay on Human Trafficking in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

100 Words Essay on Human Trafficking

Understanding human trafficking.

Human trafficking is a serious global issue. It involves the illegal trade of people for exploitation or commercial gain. Victims are often lured with false promises of well-paying jobs or manipulated by people they trust.

Types of Human Trafficking

Preventing human trafficking.

To prevent human trafficking, we must raise awareness about its reality. Educating people about its signs and consequences can help prevent it. Additionally, supporting victim services is crucial.

Also check:

250 Words Essay on Human Trafficking

Human trafficking, a grave violation of human rights, is a complex issue that has plagued societies globally. It is a form of modern-day slavery, where individuals are exploited through force, fraud, or coercion for various purposes such as forced labor, sexual exploitation, or organ trafficking.

The Scale of the Problem

Measures to combat human trafficking.

Addressing human trafficking requires a multi-faceted approach. Legal measures, such as strict laws and penalties, are crucial. The Palermo Protocol, adopted by the UN, provides a framework for criminalizing trafficking, protecting victims, and promoting cooperation among states.

The Role of Education and Awareness

Education and awareness play a pivotal role in combating human trafficking. By informing communities about the tactics used by traffickers and the rights of individuals, we can empower potential victims to protect themselves.

500 Words Essay on Human Trafficking

Introduction to human trafficking.

Human trafficking, a grave violation of human rights, is a contemporary global issue that transcends borders, cultures, and economies. It is a multi-billion dollar criminal industry that enslaves nearly 25 million people around the world. This heinous crime involves the illegal trade of people for exploitation or commercial gain and is often referred to as ‘modern-day slavery’.

The Mechanics of Human Trafficking

Human trafficking operates on the principles of supply and demand. The demand for cheap labor, sexual services, and certain criminal activities fuels this illicit trade. The supply side, however, is driven by factors such as poverty, lack of education, gender discrimination, armed conflict, and political instability. Traffickers exploit these vulnerabilities to lure victims with false promises of employment, education, or a better life.

Forms of Human Trafficking

Impacts of human trafficking.

Preventing human trafficking requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach. It involves strengthening laws and regulations, enhancing victim identification and protection, promoting awareness and education, and fostering international cooperation. Governments, non-governmental organizations, and individuals all have crucial roles to play in this fight against human trafficking.

In conclusion, human trafficking is a global human rights crisis that requires urgent attention and action. While the task is monumental, with concerted efforts and a commitment to uphold human rights, it is possible to combat this modern-day slavery. Understanding the complexities of human trafficking is the first step towards developing effective strategies to prevent it, protect victims, and prosecute perpetrators. The fight against human trafficking is not just a legal or political issue, but a moral imperative that tests our values as a global community.

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Essay Service Examples Social Issues Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking Research Proposal Essay

Introduction

• Proper editing and formatting
• Free revision, title page, and bibliography
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Literature Review

Aims and objectives.

• To obtain an improved insight into the situation of the different categories of girls and women (single, widowed, elderly) in the province.
• To study the situation of women victimized by trafficking.
• To study the existing governmental and private mechanisms for the protection and care of the victims.
• Identification of gaps in policies and institutional mechanisms for recommendation to the government for improvement.

Plan of Work

• Definition of Trafficking
• Trafficking, A Global Problem
• Elements of Human Trafficking
• Trafficking in relation to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
• Context of Trafficking in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Types of Trafficking
• Study design and methodology
• Desk review
• Development of tools and initial identification of victims
• Study phases and coverage
• Data processing, analysis, and reporting
• Constraints

Methodology

• Conclusion and Recommendations
• National Commission on the Status of Women Act. (2012.) Retrieved from http://www.na.gov.pk/uploads/documents/1327371080_383.pdf
• Annual Report of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Retrieved from http://www.hrcp-web.org/archive.html
• Action Aid Pakistan. Internal trafficking in women in Lahore.
• A Human Rights Report on Trafficking of Persons, Especially Women and Children (2002) Retrieved on July 18, 2017) from URL:http://www.protectionproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Ian.pdf.
• Amin, M, A. (2010). Trends & Causes of Women Trafficking in NWFP, Pakistan.
• Anwar, Wajeeha, Sahil. (2010). Cruel Numbers Report 2010.
• Asghar, Mohammad. (2011). Govt seeks report on human trafficking.
• Aurat Foundation. (2012). Internal Women Trafficking in Pakistan.
• Azam, Farooq. (2009). Human Trafficking, Human Smuggling, and Illegal Migration to and from Pakistan: Review of Government Policies and Programmes. Before, Peshawar in Collaboration with Action Aid Pakistan with the support of the European Union.
• Baseline Study of Illegal Migration, Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Pakistan (2009). Enterprise for Business & Development Management (EBDM).
• Belsar et. al. (2005). ILO Minimum Estimate of Forced Labour in the World. Retrieved from http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/@ed_norm/@declaration/documents/publication/wcms_0819 13.pdf
• Data and research on human trafficking: A global survey. (2005). International Organization for Migration.
• Din Najam. (2010). Internal Displacement in Pakistan: Contemporary Challenges. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.
• Human Rights Watch, “CRIME OR CUSTOM? - Violence against Women in Pakistan, 1999
• Pakistan National Action Plan for Combating Human Trafficking. Government of Pakistan. Retrieved in July (2017) from http://www.fia.gov.pk/HUMAN.htm.
• Forced Labor and Human Trafficking - Casebook of Court Decisions: a training manual for judges, prosecutors, and legal practitioners. (2009). International Labor Organization
• Gender Violence in Pakistan. (2010). Department for International Development.
• Hassan, Ali. (2011). Human trafficking cases witness a sharp increase in 2011.
• Hussain et. al. (2004). Bonded labor in agriculture: a rapid assessment in Sindh and Balochistan, Pakistan.
• Moran T. (2003). Health and Human Trafficking. International Organization for Migration (IOM)
• Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid (LHRLA) - Workshop on Trafficking in Women & Children in Pakistan, Karachi, October 2002
• Taj, Farhat. (2004). Policing in Purdah: Women and Women Police Station. Center for Women's and Gender Research University of Bergen Norway.
• T Khan, M.S. et al., (2013). The Poverty of Opportunity Forcing Women Into Prostitution, A Qualitative Study in Pakistan.
• Trafficking in Persons Report (2016). United States Department of State.
• Trafficking in Persons Report. (2017). United States Department of State.

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Human Trafficking: Definition, Reasons and Ways to Solve the Problem Analytical Essay

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Introduction

Modern world can be characterized by the blistering development of the issue known as globalization. People are able to communicate, share the latest news and even make bargains with the help of the Internet, which obviously makes the life of society easier. However, globalization also has a great number of negative effects and the world nowadays faces the aftermath of this very process.

The first and most dangerous thing is obviously terrorism as this phenomenon also becomes global and all countries of the world can suffer from it. Governments have to respond to this hew challenge as it can threat security not only of a certain country however, they can destroy the whole modern society. The issue of human trafficking is of this sort.

Definition of Human Trafficking

To understand the problem better, a clear definition of the issue should be given. Nowadays, under the term human trafficking people understand the trade of human beings with different purposes 1 . In other words, it is a sort of modern slavery which coherent humanity is supposed to be got rid of.

Traders use the similar schemes which slave merchants of the past used. People, who are being sold, become a good as they are deprived of any rights and privileges. Very often, they do not have documents and depend on their master totally. Under these conditions, they have no choice but to obey because there is no other chance for them to survive. Moreover, very often force is used to control these people.

That is why, it becomes obvious that slavery, which is taken as the remnant of the past, prosper in the modern world and a great number of people suffer from it. According to statistics, about 800000 people are sold every year 2 . Moreover, the following diagram shows that women comprise the greater part of this trade, while the demand for men is lower 3 . The threatening fact is that children are also sold.

The main reasons

However, the given statistics becomes more understandable if to take into account the main purposes of human trafficking. There is a great number of different reasons, however, it is possible to state the most important ones. Sexual slavery is one of the main cause of human trafficking. There is a huge market of sex slaves in the world and, that is why, a great demand exists.

Horrifying fact is that the average age of children who are sold is 13 years 4 . That is why, women comprise the majority of people who are sold because they can be forced to work as prostitutes and this commercial sexual exploration can give great benefits to their owners. Thus, men and children can also be involved in sex industry, however, their number is lower.

The next important reason is forced labour. In this segment men slaves are more demanded and appreciated as they are more enduring and can bring bigger profit. Finally, there are also such reasons as forced marriage and even extraction of organs and tissues 5 . Unfortunately, very often children suffer from the last reason and this cruelty cannot but horrify.

Moreover, the next table shows the main causes which make people sell themselves or become sold.

The main ways

It should be said that there are many ways in which slaves can be transported and delivered to their owners. Globalisation and development of different means of transport make this process easier. Nevertheless, it is obvious that usually slaves are not taken from the regions where their owners live.

It is much easier to obtain people from poor countries where conditions of living are catastrophic and very often people have no other choice but to become slaves 6 . They can make this step in their own volition because they do not know how to survive. Additionally, very often slave traders choose countries with weak governments and judicial power as they could not guarantee security for their citizens.

That is why, the necessity to deliver these people appears. Very often ships or cars are used for this purpose as they are more commodious and it is easier to hide people there. People are transferred under horrible conditions, though it is the cheapest way. Additionally, it should be said that there are special places where such cars or ships can cross a border without any complications.

Besides, it should be said that the are some countries which are taken as traditional suppliers of people for some European countries. The next table shows the number of representatives of different states which came to the UK.

Nevertheless, it is still a risky business as according to the law there is a severe punishment for people who trade slaves. Thus, the possibility of punishment does not scare them. The thing is that it is a good source of income and giant sums of money can be obtained with its help.

Moreover, according to the latest investigations, it is possible to say that there are certain organisations which deal with this issue and which have aligned mechanism of human trafficking 8 . Terrorist organisations belong to the main actors and nowadays they are also great suppliers of slaves. Human trafficking is another way for them to earn money which will be spent on weapon and recruiting 9 .

Moreover, activity of these organisations very often leads to the appearance of chaos on certain territories. The government of a state, to which these territories belong, is not able to resist terrorist organisations and they can take people with impunity. Due to this fact, the issue of human trafficking becomes one of the main sources of incomes for different terrorist organisations.

Interested actors

Besides, it is silly to deny the nude fact that even these organisations need patrons from developed countries which will be able to protect them and control the whole market of slaves. Very often these patrons are representatives of governments of different developed countries or some global international organisations which main task is to fight with this very issue.

Cynicism of these people impresses, though it is easier to control human trafficking if a person has real power. Moreover, the amount of money obtained due to this trade should not be forgotten. “The United Nations estimates the total market value of illicit human trafficking at 32 billion US dollars” 10 .

That is why, there are many people who want to get part of this money and guarantee their prosperity. Additionally, the sum is not final as a great number of bargains connected with human trade remain unnoticed and incomes from them can be used for different purposes.

Threat to security

Besides, distribution of these very incomes can be taken as a threat to security of the whole world. It has already been stated that this money are used by terrorist organizations to buy weapon and equipment. Having obtained new remedies, they will be able to continue their activity and bring chaos to other territories, enlarging the areas where slaves can be obtained, which, in its turn can lead to the further development of slave market.

Moreover, the growth of terrorist organizations is also a great threat to the whole world. Thus, there is one more danger connected with the development of human trafficking. Humanity devoted a great number of efforts trying to get rid of slavery and guarantee equal conditions to different people.

However, nowadays, it returns. People are deprived of their rights and many of them are taken as a good. It is a very threatening tendency which leads to corruption of the main principles according to which our society functions. That is why this process holds a great threat to the modern world.

Ways to solve the problem

Under these conditions, it becomes obvious that some steps should be made in order to stop further development of this issue and guarantee security and rights for abused people. However, it is a rather complicated task nowadays. The thing is, that modern world suffers from crisis, both political and economical. Additionally, terrorist organization known as ISIL adds tension to situation and makes it more complicated.

That is why there should be the complex of measures which main aim will be to stop development of terrorism and human trafficking. Almost all countries in the world try to solve this very problem as terrorism has already led to thousands of victims and continues its development 11 .

Global organisations

However, it is useless to struggle with it alone. It is the obvious fact that only the combination of efforts of a great number of countries can solve this problem. The work of different international organizations like United Nations should be aimed at looking for a good solution for this problem.

Additionally, it is possible to suggest that some new organization, which activity will be the struggle with human trafficking only, should be created. This organization should be comprised of the most powerful states like Russia, China, India, the USA and countries of the European Union.

Moreover, the Vienna forum, which was organized with the aim to discuss this issue, could also help to solve the problem as it addresses three main issues of human trafficking. Participants of the forum try to understand why human trafficking occur, what the consequences are and what measures can be taken. 12

With this in mind, having analyzed the issue of human trafficking, it is possible to make a certain conclusion. First of all, it should be said that it is a very threatening problem which can destroy modern society. It humiliates dignity of a person and deprives him/her of his/her human rights.

Additionally, another threatening fact is that the bigger part of incomes obtained with the help of human trafficking is spent to finance terrorism and promote its development. That is why, this very problem can be taken as one of the most important nowadays and the most efficient solutions should be found.

Being a global problem, the issue of human trafficking can be solved only be the combined efforts of a great number of different countries which should control this issue and punish people and organizations which deal with it. Only under these conditions the possibility to get rid of this problem will appear.

Bibliography

“ Eleven Facts About Human Trafficking “. Do Something. Web.

Eurostat. “Trafficking in human beings”. Eurpoa . Web.

“ Factsheet on Human Trafficking “. UNODC . Web.

“Hotline Statistics”. Trafficking Resource Center. Web.

“Human Trafficking”. Globalization 101 . Web.

“Human Trafficking is…”. Stop The Traffik . Web.

“Human Trafficking is a Problem 365 Days a Year”. Polaris . Web.

“Human Trafficking & Slavery: Facts & Stats”. END crowd . Web.

“ Human trafficking to UK ‘rising’ “. BBC News . Web.

United Nations. “ An Introduction to Human Trafficking: Vulnerability, Impact and Action “. Web.

“U.N.: 2.4 Million Human Trafficking Victims”. Human trafficking. Web.

UNODC. ” Global Report on Trafficking in Persons “. United Nations Office . Web.

1 “U.N.: 2.4 Million Human Trafficking Victims”.

2 “Eleven Facts About Human Trafficking”, Do Something.

3 “Hotline Statistics”, Trafficking Resource Center, 2015.

4 “Human Trafficking”, Globalization101 .

5 UNODC, ” Global Report on Trafficking in Persons”, United Nations Office .

6 Eurostat, “Trafficking in human beings”. Eurpoa.

7 “Human trafficking to UK ‘rising’”. BBC News .

8 “Human Trafficking is a Problem 365 Days a Year”, Polaris .

9 “Human Trafficking & Slavery: Facts & Stats”, END crowd.

10 “Factsheet on Human Trafficking”, UNODC .

11 “Human Trafficking is…”, Stop The Traffik .

12 United Nations, “An Introduction to Human Trafficking: Vulnerability, Impact and Action”.

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IvyPanda. (2019, June 24). Human Trafficking: Definition, Reasons and Ways to Solve the Problem. https://ivypanda.com/essays/human-trafficking-5/

"Human Trafficking: Definition, Reasons and Ways to Solve the Problem." IvyPanda , 24 June 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/human-trafficking-5/.

IvyPanda . (2019) 'Human Trafficking: Definition, Reasons and Ways to Solve the Problem'. 24 June.

IvyPanda . 2019. "Human Trafficking: Definition, Reasons and Ways to Solve the Problem." June 24, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/human-trafficking-5/.

1. IvyPanda . "Human Trafficking: Definition, Reasons and Ways to Solve the Problem." June 24, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/human-trafficking-5/.

IvyPanda . "Human Trafficking: Definition, Reasons and Ways to Solve the Problem." June 24, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/human-trafficking-5/.