What Is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide. It can happen in any community and victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality. Traffickers might use violence, manipulation, or false promises of well-paying jobs or romantic relationships to lure victims into trafficking situations. - Blue Campaign
According to El Universal, 600,000 sexual offenses are committed every year in Mexico; 9 out of 10 victims are women, and 40% are under the age of 15. It is important to remember that Human Trafficking doesn’t exist in only Mexico. It is a worldwide billion dollar industry that needs to be stopped. The numbers have increased drastically over the last couple of years.
Types of Human Trafficking
Age
Gender
Nationality
In Mexico, the numbers of reported Human Trafficking victims increased 17% from 2018 to 2019.
El Universal states, “In Mexico, the reports concerning sexual offenses have increased in recent years. According to the Executive Secretary of Mexico’s National System for Public Security (SESNSP), during the first semester of 2019, 25,277 investigation files related to these offenses have been opened, that is, 17% more compared to the same period in 2018 in the country. In the first half of the current year, the most reported offenses were sexual abuse, with 11,691 cases; rape, with 6,594 cases; other unspecified offenses, with 2,382 cases; sexual harassment, with 1,978; equivalent of rape, with 1,870 cases; and incest with 17.”
So what forms of Human Trafficking exists?
Sexual Exploitation (Prostitution, pornography, etc.)
State Imposed Forced Labor
Forced Labor Exploitation
Who are the victims?
Children under the age of 18 induced into commercial sex
Adults (age 18 or over) induced into commercial sex through force, fraud, or coercion
Children and adults induced to perform labor or services through force, fraud, or coercion
What can you do to help?
If you believe you have identified someone in a trafficking situation, you can take action! In an emergency, notify local law enforcement immediately by calling 911. You may also call the National Human Trafficking Hotline, a national 24-hour, toll-free, multilingual anti-trafficking hotline.
National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888
