Invisible Chains: Mapping the Global Scourge of Human Trafficking

Author: Ivan Francis, MS

October 1, 2025

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Unmasking the Crisis

Human trafficking is one of the most persistent and devastating forms of international crime. As a global issue it affects nearly every country, either as a source, transit, or destination, its patterns are deeply shaped by regional vulnerabilities and shifting global dynamics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a marked decrease in detection of victims which dropped by 13% in 2020, reflecting both reduced law enforcement capacity and heightened vulnerability among populations. However, by 2022, there was a 25% increase in the detection of trafficking victims compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019; marking the sharpest rise in years. This rebound signals both a resurgence in trafficking activity and improved detection capacity for the same. Human trafficking continues to target the vulnerable, and we see this in persistent as well as emerging trends. Women and girls remain the biggest share of detected victims worldwide, accounting for 61% of the total in 2022 [1].

Visualizing the Crisis: Where Victims Are Being Detected

In 2022, United Nations on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC) elaboration of national data revealed that the highest volumes of identified human trafficking victims were recorded in South Asia (particularly India and Pakistan), the United States and several nations across Sub-Saharan Africa, such as Nigeria and the Benin. European countries also reported substantial victim numbers, with Italy and France among the highest in the region.

Cases were documented across all continents, affecting both developed and developing countries. While developed nations often reported higher detection rates due to more robust law enforcement systems, developing regions especially those facing armed conflict, displacement, or forced labor see disproportionately high numbers of victims due to weak counter-trafficking institutional frameworks. Migrants, refugees, internally displaced people, and marginalized children are frequently targeted due to their lack of legal status, economic security, or social safety nets.

One of the most pressing revelations is the increasing number of children among detected trafficking victims. Children accounted for 38% of all victims globally in 2022 , which was a 4% increase since 2019. In particular, the number of girls detected surged over the space of 3 years increasing by 38% as well [1].

While the global detection of trafficking victims surged in 2022, there has also been a notable shift in the demographic landscape of those affected. Between 2003 and 2017, detection rates increased steadily, but a turning point came after 2017 when patterns by age and gender became more pronounced. From 2018 onwards, women consistently made up the largest share of identified victims. By 2022, more girls were being detected than boys, with a clear trend emerging: around 60% of trafficked girls were exploited for sexual purposes. Boys, on the other hand, were primarily trafficked for forced labour (45%) or for other forms of exploitation such as forced criminal activities or street begging (47%) [1].

Regional differences are also deeply telling. In Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, the proportion of child victims (girls and boys combined) is significantly higher than adults. Girls in the region represent nearly half of all detected cases (42%), one of the highest shares globally, followed closely by boys (19%). Similarly, in Central America and the Caribbean, more than half of detected victims are children (67%), underscoring the acute vulnerability of youth populations where poverty, displacement, and weak institutional protection converge. In contrast, Western and Southern Europe reported the highest proportion of adult victims. The Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT) reported that in the absence of the rule of law during crises , women and girls can become highly vulnerable to different forms of exploitation.

Since 2017, women account for more than half of all global migrant workers , resulting in what is called the feminization of global labour markets[2][3]. A study based on the global migration data from the Institute of Medical Information Processing (2021),  drew on the experiences of 10,369 trafficking survivors highlighting the gendered nature of this violence, with women and girls being particularly affected by sexual abuse. Additionally, higher levels of abuse were reported by women in sectors where they are predominantly exploited, such as sexual exploitation and domestic labor[4].As survivors of human trafficking, women and girls still encounter significant obstacles in obtaining justice, even in the face of national and international legal frameworks. Legal systems continue to be prejudiced, frequently mislabeling victims as criminals and punishing them for crimes they committed under duress. Trafficker prosecution rates are startlingly low, and survivors often experience shame, retraumatization, and inadequate support.

One survivor, speaking through the Polaris National Survivor Study (2023), described what this injustice feels like:

“I was sentenced to five years in state prison alongside the person who exploited me. Furthermore, when I was arrested, I was put in a room by myself for a very long time. I was never offered help or resources. Because I refused to give a statement for my own safety, I was taken to jail and kept there for two years while I fought my case. I was never released prior to being sentenced. I am also ineligible for record relief due to my conviction being classified as a violent felony.”[5]

Another survivor from the "National Human Trafficking Hotline" recounted a similar experience:

“After escaping my trafficker, I was arrested for soliciting in a public place. My trafficker had controlled me completely, and I had no choice but to follow their orders. But in court, I was treated as a criminal, not a victim. No one asked me about the abuse I endured or my trauma. I was punished for actions that were forced upon me. The justice system failed me when I needed it most.”[5]

In such cases, a trauma-informed, survivor-centred and gender-responsive justice system is essential. Yet, many survivors are still denied basic rights such as free legal aid, interpretation services, or protection from intimidation. Female survivors who often carry the burden of proof, are judged based on stereotypes, or are excluded from legal protections if they do not fit the “ideal victim” profile.

Misidentification, criminalization, and the non-implementation of the “non-punishment” principle continue to harm women, especially those trafficked into sexual exploitation or forced criminality [5].

The high prevalence of child trafficking in Africa is intricately linked to broader systemic issues among them being child labor.  In countries like Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Cameroon, 39 to 45% of children are engaged in labor due to economic hardship and lack of access to education. Africa, especially Sub-Saharan Africa, leads globally in child labor engagement which is over 40% of children aged 5–14. The majority of child trafficking victims are exploited for forced labor in sectors such as agriculture ,mining and domestic work which are industries that are already associated with widespread child labor[1] .

The extent to which child labor environments fuel trafficking in Africa is sharply illustrated by the 2022 data reported by the United Nations. That year alone, an estimated 3,700 children were detected as victims of trafficking for forced labour which was 2,200 boys and 1,500 girls. This figure overwhelmingly dwarfs the numbers trafficked for sexual exploitation, which is just over 400, as well as those trafficked for other purposes. Both child labor and child marriage can create conditions that contribute to child trafficking. Traffickers are more likely to discover opportunities to take advantage of these behaviors in areas where they are common.

The Exodus Road highlights that forced marriage is itself a form of human trafficking, because it involves coercion or deception to obtain labor or sexual services through the institution of marriage. Their field investigations show that children, especially girls are often promised or sold into marriages that function as long-term exploitation, blurring the line between “marriage” and “modern slavery”. Compared to other regions of the continent, East and West Africa have greater rates of child marriage and the greatest number of incidents of girls being trafficked for forced marriage. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), any meaningful intervention must therefore address the full spectrum of child vulnerability, including poverty, lack of access to education, and unregulated labor markets, or thus risk perpetuating the cycle that enables trafficking to flourish[6].

Terre des hommes reports that in Asia, children working in cotton fields, spinning mills, and garment factories often toil in unsafe conditions for very low wages, many from poor or migrant families. In the cotton industry (from farming the raw cotton through to spinning and garment making), conditions are often very unsafe, poorly regulated, and very demanding. Children may work long hours, under the sun, exposed to chemicals, with little protection. Such perspectives from NGO also shed light on how child labour operates in specific industries & solutions that work to tackle this issue. Terre des hommes approach includes offering schooling and vocational training for children and livelihood support for families, as well as collaborating with businesses to put child labour clauses into codes of conduct. These types of local and industry-specific interventions complement data-based insight, reinforcing that tackling trafficking and labour exploitation requires both systemic change and ground-level support.” 

There is a stark regional disparity in convictions for trafficking with respect to justice delivery. Western and Southern Europe leads with nearly 48%  of the highest legal follow-through, followed by Central and Southeastern Europe and the Middle East. In contrast, Africa recorded drastically lower rates of trafficking detection, underscoring a profound gap between detection and prosecution rates in regions hardest hit by trafficking. This disparity highlights a broader challenge: while many regions excel at identifying victims, legal follow-through often lags in parts of Africa where detection is rising but convictions remain rare. Prosecution of traffickers has advanced significantly in Europe, frequently supported by robust legislative measures that increase conviction rates [7].

But outside Europe , the justice gap remains striking. However, countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya have introduced anti-trafficking task forces, legal amendments, and public awareness campaigns[8][9][10]. At a regional level, the African Union’s “Continental Strategy for Combatting Trafficking in Persons in Africa (2020–2030)” seeks to build capacity in prosecution, victim protection, and regional cooperation[11]. Globally, initiatives such as the "Blue Heart Campaign" and INTERPOL’s operations across trafficking hotspots are helping countries develop better data systems, legal tools, and investigative capacities. While these measures represent important issues being addressed, they also reveal a core challenge :  justice is too often framed in abstract terms of detection and prosecution, rather than in the lived realities of survivors.

Bridging the Justice Divide with Legal Frameworks and Policies paired with survivor-centred reforms: 

A major step forward has been UNODC’s launch of the International Classification Standard for Administrative Data on Trafficking in Persons (IC‑TIP) in 2025. This framework standardizes data collection, covering victim profiles, trafficking modalities and justice outcomes across countries and institutions. IC-TIP gives policymakers and activists the ability to identify systemic flaws and push for more robust, evidence-based judicial reforms by facilitating trustworthy comparisons and exposing injustice in prosecution[12]. Additionally, Polaris has been essential in solidifying legal frameworks both inside and outside of the United States. In order to inform policy reform and survivor support, Polaris has compiled one of the largest trafficking databases in North America since the National Human Trafficking Hotline was established in 2007[10]. Through its advocacy, Polaris has aided in the enactment of more robust federal and state legislation resulting in establishment of enhanced anti-trafficking laws in numerous states and procedures that enable survivors to remove their criminal records associated with coercion.[14].

Beyond detection, a thorough response to human trafficking requires a legal system that prioritizes victim protection and eliminates punitive barriers. The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act (TSRA) is an example of a forward-thinking policy that turns legal recognition into long-term healing by supporting survivors to reintegrate in society. This Act serves as an example of how legislative actions can actively support survivors' long-term healing rather than just providing token recognition.The legal acknowledgment or rescue of victims should not mark as the only conclusion for  justice. Long-lasting care anchored in the community is necessary for true healing. In order to provide long-term assistance to victims of human trafficking, the following support to such victims is strongly advised.: 

• Engaging safe and willing family members in aftercare can support long-term rehabilitation and help prevent re-trafficking.

• Involving victims’ communities of origin and using culturally sensitive approaches enhances the effectiveness of anti-trafficking efforts.

• Long-term support must address the types of violence experienced by victims, which can affect their relationships, including with caregivers.

• Providing mental health care and addressing stigma, labeling, and the “problematic other” perception are crucial for victims’ recovery.

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Glossary

• Aftercare – Long-term support services provided to trafficking survivors post-rescue or identification, including counseling, housing, education, and reintegration support.

• Blue Heart Campaign – A global awareness initiative by the UNODC aiming to inspire action against human trafficking and to support victims through visibility, funding, and education.

• Child Labour – The engagement of children in work that deprives them of their childhood, education, or is harmful to their physical or mental development. Common in regions of high poverty and weak regulation.

• Child Marriage – Marriage involving persons under the age of 18, often without their consent. In some contexts, child marriage is linked to trafficking, particularly when girls are forced into unions for economic or exploitative purposes.

• Child Trafficking – The recruitment and exploitation of minors (under 18) for forced labor, sexual exploitation, or other abusive practices. Often overlaps with child labor and early/forced marriage in vulnerable regions.

• Demographic Shift – Changes in the age, gender, or other characteristics of trafficking victims over time. For example, recent data shows a growing proportion of girls among detected victims globally.

• Detection Rate – The number of trafficking victims identified and reported by authorities within a specific time frame. A rise in detection rates may reflect either increased trafficking or improved reporting and identification systems.

• Developed Countries – Countries with strong economies, advanced technology, high living standards, and better systems to protect people from crimes like trafficking.

• Developing Countries – Countries with lower income levels and weaker systems, where poverty, inequality, and limited resources make trafficking easier to exploit.

• Forced Criminality – A form of exploitation where victims are coerced into committing unlawful acts, such as theft, drug trafficking, or fraud, under threat or force.

• Forced Labour – A form of exploitation where individuals are compelled to work against their will, often under threat or coercion. Boys are disproportionately trafficked into such labor in sectors like mining, agriculture, and construction.

• Human Trafficking – The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons by force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of exploitation. This includes forced labor, sexual exploitation, and other forms of modern slavery.

• IC-TIP (International Classification Standard for Administrative Data on Trafficking in Persons) – A UNODC initiative launched in 2025 to standardize trafficking data collection globally, allowing for comparative analysis across regions and justice systems.

• ICAT (Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons) – A UN body that coordinates anti-trafficking efforts across agencies, addressing cross-cutting issues such as gender dimensions, prevention, and victim protection.

• Indigenous Empowerment – A community-based approach that respects local cultural practices and leadership in addressing trafficking, improving trust and long-term effectiveness of interventions.

• Inequality – The unfair gap in resources, opportunities, and rights between different groups in society, which can leave some people more exposed to trafficking risks.

• Internally Displaced People – People forced to leave their homes due to conflict, disasters, or other crises, but who stay within their own country, often facing higher risks of exploitation.

• Misidentification – Incorrect classification of trafficking victims, often resulting in victims being treated as criminals, especially in cases of forced prostitution or coerced criminal activity.

• Non-Punishment Principle – A legal standard stating that trafficking victims should not be prosecuted for unlawful acts committed as a direct result of their trafficking situation.

• Polaris Project – A U.S.-based anti-trafficking organization known for operating the National Human Trafficking Hotline and advocating for stronger trafficking laws and survivor support systems.

• Poverty – When people don’t have enough money or resources to meet basic needs like food, shelter, healthcare, and education, making them more vulnerable to exploitation.

• “Problematic Other” Perception – A stigmatizing view where survivors are treated as outsiders or troublemakers, which can hinder recovery and reintegration.

• Prosecution Gap – A mismatch between the number of victims identified and the number of traffickers successfully convicted. Highlights weaknesses in legal enforcement and victim protection systems.

• Punitive Barriers – Laws, policies, or procedures that punish trafficking survivors for acts committed under coercion (such as immigration violations or prostitution charges).

• Re-trafficking – When survivors of trafficking are exploited again, often due to inadequate protection, support, or reintegration measures after rescue.

• Sexual Exploitation – The abuse of power or a position of vulnerability to obtain sexual acts or services, often through force, fraud, or coercion.

• Stigma – Negative stereotypes or discrimination directed toward trafficking survivors, which can discourage them from seeking help or reintegrating into society.

• Survivor-Centered Justice – A legal and support approach that prioritizes the rights, safety, and needs of trafficking survivors, including trauma-informed care and non-punitive legal procedures.

• Trafficking Modality – The specific method or tactic used by traffickers to recruit, transport, or exploit victims. Examples include deception, abduction, abuse of power, or vulnerability.

• Trafficking Survivors Relief Act (TSRA) – A legislative act that allows survivors to access legal relief such as expungement of criminal records for actions they were coerced into during their exploitation.

• Unregulated Labor Markets – Work environments without proper oversight, labor protections, or legal standards, where exploitation and trafficking risks are higher.

• Victim Identification – The process through which law enforcement, NGOs, or service providers recognize and classify individuals as trafficking victims.

• Weak Institutions – Government systems or organizations that don’t have the strength, resources, or integrity to enforce laws, protect rights, or deliver justice effectively.

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Data Sources

1. UNODC – Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2024Detection, child victims, trafficking purposes, regional breakdowns, and convictions: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/glotip.html

2. UNODC Data Portal – Trafficking in PersonsPrimary source for country-level detection, conviction, and victim breakdowns by region, gender, and age: https://dataunodc.un.org/dp-trafficking-persons

3. UNODC Press Release on 2022 Findings25% increase in detections, spike in child and forced labor cases: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/press/releases/2024/December/unodc-global-human-trafficking-report_-detected-victims-up-25-per-cent-as-more-children-are-exploited-and-forced-labour-cases-spike.html

4. International Labour Organization (ILO) – Global Estimates of Modern SlaveryForced labor and child labor prevalence globally: https://www.ilo.org/global/publications/books/WCMS_575479/lang--en/index.html

Additional Sources

1. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). (2024, December). Global human trafficking report: Detected victims up 25% as more children are exploited and forced labour cases spike. https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/press/releases/2024/December/unodc-global-human-trafficking-report_-detected-victims-up-25-per-cent-as-more-children-are-exploited-and-forced-labour-cases-spike.html

2. Stöckl, H., Kiss, L., Pocock, N., Naisanguansri, V., Sirisup, K., Suos, S., ... & Zimmerman, C. (2021). Human trafficking and violence: Findings from the largest global dataset of trafficking survivors. Journal of Migration and Health, 4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmh.2021.100081

3. Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT). The Gender Dimensions of Human Trafficking, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Available at: https://sherloc.unodc.org/cld/en/bibliography/2017/the_gender_dimensions_of_human_trafficking.html

4. Facts and figures: Ending violence against womenhttps://www.unwomen.org/en/articles/facts-and-figures/facts-and-figures-ending-violence-against-women

5. https://polarisproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/In-Harms-Way-How-Systems-Fail-Human-Trafficking-Survivors-by-Polaris.pdf

6. United Nations General Assembly. (2022). Trafficking in women and girls: Strengthening access to justice for victim-survivors. Report of the Secretary-General. [A/77/240]. Available via the UN Digital Library.

7. International Labour Organization (ILO). (2017). Global estimates of modern slavery: Forced labour and forced marriage. International Labour Office, Geneva. https://www.ilo.org/publications/global-estimates-modern-slavery-forced-labour-and-forced-marriage

8. European Union. EU strategy on combatting trafficking in human beings. https://www.consilium.europa.eu/es/eu-against-human-trafficking/

9. U.S. Department of State. (2024). 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report: Nigeria. Retrieved from https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/nigeria/

10. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). (n.d.). South Africa launches Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons National Policy Framework. Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/glo-act/south-africa-launches-prevention-and-combating-of-trafficking-in-persons-national-policy-framework.html

11. U.S. Department of State. (2024). 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report: Kenya. Retrieved from https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/kenya/

12. UNODC & IOM. International Classification Standard for Administrative Data on Trafficking in Persons (IC‑TIP), 2023.

13. African Union. (2024, December 20). Africa strengthens fight against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants. https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20241220/africa-strengthens-fight-against-trafficking-persons-and-smuggling-migrants

14. Polaris Project. Legal advocacy and survivor justice tools. https://legal-resources.uslegalforms.com/p/polaris-project

15. Polaris Project. National strategy and survivor-informed policies. https://polarisproject.org