Children account for nearly one-third of identified trafficking victims globally
Monday, 30 July marks the World Day against Trafficking in Persons.
As the world marks this day, the United Nations has sounded an alarm that approximately 28 percent of identified victims of trafficking globally are children.
UN Childrens agency, UNICEF, and the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking (ICAT) say that across Sub-Saharan Africa, Central America and the Caribbean, children account for an even higher proportion of identified trafficking victims, at 64 and 62 per cent respectively.
The two agencies however warn that the number of children who fall victim to trafficking is higher than current data suggests. This is because kidnapped children rarely come forward for fear of their traffickers, lack of information about their options, mistrust of authorities, fear of stigma or the likelihood of being returned without any safeguards and limited material support.
“Trafficking is a very real threat to millions of children around the world, especially to those who have been driven from their homes and communities without adequate protection,” UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said. “These children urgently need governments to step up and put measures in place to keep them safe.”
The two agencies say that refugee, migrant and displaced children are especially vulnerable to trafficking. Whether they are escaping war and violence or pursuing better education and livelihood opportunities, too few children find pathways to move regularly and safely with their families.
UNICEF and ICAT called for the implementation of government policies and cross-border solutions to keep these children safe.
