Does Human Trafficking Impact Children?
Dressember Reading Day #8
Every day during the month of December, we’re answering common questions and breaking down different aspects of human trafficking on our blog and Instagram. Join us in raising awareness about the injustice of human trafficking by sharing, donating, or joining the Dressember campaign (it’s not too late!).
Out of the forty million individuals in human trafficking around the world, an estimated 25% are children.
How does this happen?
There are several factors that can put some children at higher risk: poverty, high demands of cheap or free labor, low levels of education, among others. This means that children growing up in foster care, in impoverished or war-torn countries, and runaways are commonly targeted. Children in trafficking situations often find themselves in a horrific life of exploitation in order to survive.
In what ways are children being trafficked?
Trafficking of children is often divided into two main types: forced labor and forced marriage. Forced labor of children can take the form of sex slavery of minors, child soldiers in war-torn countries, or garment workers in sweatshops around the world. Unfortunately, young children are also victimized by forced marriage around the world; 150 million girls and 115 million boys are married before the age of 18 globally. While the practice is more prevalent among girls, forced marriage can limit both the husband and wife’s ability to become educated due to social isolation and early parenthood as they are condemned to an adult role that they are not ready for.
But, why are children trafficked?
The answer: Vulnerability. Children are often vulnerable to human trafficking because of a lack of support, resources, and knowledge. In many cases, children are tricked into human trafficking as a means of survival or to support their family. Annually, the trafficking of children is a $39 billion industry. As long as the industries that are built upon the backs of children are being financially supported, child trafficking will continue.
What can I do to help?
Dressember partners with many wonderful organizations that combat child trafficking hands on. When you advocate and raise money for Dressember, you are helping to fund some amazing organizations who focus on rescuing children around the world!
Further Reading:
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
Coming from Canada, you can give & join the Canadian campaign at www.dressember2019.ca
About the Author
Elisha Stauffer is a junior at THE Ohio State University studying Writing, Rhetoric, and Literacy with a minor in Slavic Studies. Her daily life is consumed by reading Czech literature, weird yoga poses, and rewatching episodes of Brooklyn 99. She is certified by the Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force and plans to make advocacy a focus for the rest of her life.