Introduction to Modern Slavery
Every nation on the planet is impacted by the hidden crime of modern slavery. Modern slavery has been observed in a wide range of settings, from private residences to communities for internally displaced people and refugees, as well as in a variety of industries, such as mining, agriculture, and clothing production. From the food we eat to the products we buy, modern slavery affects everyone. Addressing and eradicating this crime where it occurs is everyone’s duty.
Forms of Modern Slavery
Forced labour, debt bondage, forced marriage, slavery and slavery-like behaviours, and human trafficking are among the legal notions that fall under the umbrella of modern slavery.
- Forced Labour
- Debt Bondage
- Forced Marriage
- Slavery and Slavery-like Behaviours
- Human Trafficking
Global Nature and Impact
This complex transnational crime transcends national borders and exploits weaknesses in the governance, poverty, migration, and conflict systems.
International Response
Agencies such as the United Nations (UN), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) have recognised the need for a coordinated, worldwide response and are acting accordingly.
| International Agency | Primary Role in Combating Modern Slavery |
|---|---|
| United Nations (UN) | Promotes international cooperation and sustainable development goals addressing human rights abuses. |
| International Labour Organisation (ILO) | Focuses on eliminating forced labour and promoting decent work standards globally. |
| United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) | Leads efforts to combat trafficking in persons and related crimes through legal frameworks and enforcement. |
| International Organisation for Migration (IOM) | Supports migrants and victims of trafficking through protection, policy advocacy, and safe migration initiatives. |
Challenges and Policy Reforms
The challenges these organisations face, how they operate within international legal frameworks to prevent human trafficking, and the legislative and policy changes necessary to strengthen global governance against modern slavery are all examined in this blog.
Reason for the Focused Topic
The reason of the focused topic is because the identification and methods of addressing modern slavery continue to present challenges. There are still people striving for a world in which slavery is not defined concurrently because of the lack of enforcement and regulation of these agreements and regulations.
Context and Background
The use of coercion, fraud, or force to procure a commercial sex act or other form of labour is known as human trafficking. Millions of men, women, and children are trafficked globally each year. Victims may be of any age, ethnicity, gender, or nationality, and it can occur in any society.
It might be difficult to identify traffickers’ genuine intentions because they frequently pose as respectable companies or partnerships. They modify their strategies to take advantage of social media and contemporary technologies, focussing on people via personal networks and online platforms.
Public education and awareness are essential since communities may not always recognise the warning signals or the existence of human trafficking in their midst. People who are knowledgeable and watchful are better able to spot minor warning signs and support initiatives to prevent trafficking before it occurs.
Traffickers Search for Easy Targets Due to
- Emotional or psychological susceptibility
- Financial difficulties
- Insufficient social safety net
- Unrest in politics
The Crime of Human Trafficking Is Underreported
Human trafficking is a covert crime since victims are often prevented from seeking assistance by language issues, fear of their traffickers, and/or fear of law authorities. Even in very public places, many people may not see themselves as victims or seek assistance because of the severe stress inflicted by the traffickers.
Types of Human Trafficking
1. Trafficking in Children
Under Michigan law, any child who has been recruited, seduced, harboured, transported, furnished, or procured for commercial sexual activity, a sexually explicit performance, or the production of pornography is considered a victim of sex trafficking. Although traffickers frequently employ force, threats, violence, false promises, manipulation, falsehoods, and other physical or psychological means to manipulate their victims, a child who is sexually exploited is considered a victim of sex trafficking in Michigan (HHS, 2017a).
Sometimes child traffickers exploit the parents’ great poverty. Parents may sell their children to traffickers in order to pay off debts or earn money, or they may be misled into believing this will provide a better life for their children (Wikipedia, 2017).
Research has indicated that 91% of domestic sex trafficking victims had experienced some form of violence at home (Gorman & Hatkevich, 2016). The internet and social media have facilitated recruitment (Roe-Sepowitz et al., 2013). The typical age at which a girl is exploited into prostitution is 12 to 14 years, with boys accounting for over half of the victim population (Roe-Sepowitz et al., 2013).
2. Forced Labour
The most prevalent type of human trafficking is forced work, which in 2022 accounted for 42% of all victims worldwide. This kind of trafficking frequently targets people for exploitation in mining, fishing, construction, agricultural, and domestic labour. Nearly 70% of victims of forced labour are men, although women and girls are frequently exploited, especially in domestic tasks.
3. Sexual Exploitation
This remained a major form of trafficking, affecting 36% of victims in 2022. Women and girls make up more than 90% of victims, with girls accounting for 28%. This exploitation frequently occurs in tourist destinations such as hotels and resorts, as well as massage parlours, nightclubs, and, increasingly, internet platforms. Court cases frequently show victims being pushed into prostitution or used to create sexual assault material. Traffickers frequently prey on vulnerability, deceiving folks with false promises of well-paying jobs in order to compel them into committing sexual acts.
Discussion and Legal Analysis
1. The United Nations Framework
The UN Security Council Resolution urges UN system organisations to increase their efforts to strengthen protections against human trafficking in all UN procurement. The Resolution was later reiterated by the UN General Assembly Resolution and ECOSOC Resolution 2021/25. The UN has committed to establish and implement a single approach to combat human trafficking, recognising its capacity as a global procurer of goods and services to encourage effective supply chain management practices.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is the primary UN agency responsible for combating human trafficking. It offers experience and knowledge to UN Member States and aids them in ratifying and implementing the UN Protocol on Trafficking.
2. The International Labour Organisation (ILO)
The ILO’s standards seek to ensure that employment is accessible, productive, and sustainable around the world, in conditions of freedom, equity, security, and dignity. They are enshrined in 189 conventions and treaties, eight of which are classified as fundamental by the 1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Together, they protect freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, and the abolition of forced labour, child labour, and occupational discrimination.
3. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM)
This organisation, founded in 1951, is the premier intergovernmental organisation in the field of migration. It is dedicated to the notion that humane and orderly mobility benefits both migrants and society. IOM assists migrants worldwide, working in emergencies to strengthen resilience, particularly for those in vulnerable situations, and to increase government capacity to manage all forms of mobility.
Treaties and Conventions
| Treaty | Year | Key Provisions |
|---|---|---|
| The Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (No. 182) | 1999 | Addresses severe forms of child employment, such as slavery, trafficking, and forced labour. |
| UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons (Palermo Protocol) | 2000 | Aims to prevent, suppress, and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children. |
Particular Recent Cases on Human Trafficking
- Brazil to Myanmar (July 2025): A trafficking network that enticed victims with fictitious job offers and then sent them to Myanmar for sexual exploitation was busted by Brazilian Federal Police. An INTERPOL Blue Notice ultimately helped free a victim who had been held captive in Southeast Asia.
- China to Albania (July 2025): Three Chinese women who were enlisted by a Chinese trafficking organisation in Dubai were saved by Albanian officials. Following their relocation to Albania, the women were coerced into engaging in sexual exploitation in a massage parlour. One trafficker was taken into custody.
Suggested Solutions and Possible Outcomes
- International Cooperation: Human trafficking frequently crosses boundaries, necessitating international cooperation to combat it. Organisations such as UNODC and ILO collaborate globally to dismantle trafficking networks.
- Public Awareness and Education: Raising awareness about human trafficking is critical for prevention. Schools and communities should educate youth, while governments should launch awareness campaigns targeting high-risk areas.
- Victims’ Support and Rehabilitation: Victims need medical, psychological, and legal support to rebuild their lives. Governments and NGOs should provide safe housing, counselling, vocational training, and legal aid.
- Addressing Root Causes: Tackling poverty, unemployment, and lack of education is essential to reduce vulnerability to trafficking.
Conclusion
In conclusion, human trafficking is one of the most severe abuses of human rights, exploiting society’s most vulnerable people. To properly address this threat, governments, international organisations, law enforcement agencies, and civil society must collaborate. Strengthening legislation, raising awareness, and assisting victims are all critical measures toward eliminating this modern slavery.
Educational institutions should run programs in schools and communities to teach young people about the dangers of human trafficking, and governments should engage in awareness campaigns that target high-risk areas. Every person deserves to live in dignity, freedom, and security—it is our joint responsibility to abolish human trafficking worldwide.
End Notes:
- Adams P. (2012). Identifying victims of human trafficking. Practice Nursing 23(9):463–64.
- Baldwin SB, Fehrenbacher AE, Eisenman DP. (2015). Psychological coercion in human trafficking: An application of Biderman’s framework. Qualitative Health Research 25(9):1171–81.
- Clause KJ, Lawler KB. (2013). The hidden crime: Human trafficking. Pennsylvania Nurse 18–23.
- Eccleston D. (2013). Identifying victims of human trafficking. Community Practitioner 40(2).
- Egyud A, Whiteman K. (2016). Failure to rescue: Improving healthcare provider recognition of human trafficking. Pennsylvania Nurse 16–19.
- Stempniak M. (2017). How hospitals can fight human trafficking. Hospitals and Health Networks 16.
- Trout K. (2010). The role of nurses in identifying and helping victims. Pennsylvania Nurse 18–20.
Written By:
- Memory Mbombe
- Dr.Samta Kathuria
