Dr. Dhamodharan M (Assistant Professor) & Sri Shamicsha M (Research Scholar), Department of Psychology, Easwari School of Liberal Arts, SRM University AP
Child victims of trafficking are recruited, transported, transferred, harboured or received for the purpose of exploitation. They may be forced to work in sweatshops, on construction sites or in houses as domestic servants; on the streets as child beggars, in wars as child soldiers, on farms, in traveling sales crews or in restaurants and hotels. Some are forced to work in brothels and strip clubs or for escort and massage services (UNICEF). Child trafficking, which involves kidnapping specific people under the age of eighteen, transporting them across international borders, and selling them so they can be exploited as beggars or prostitutes, is regarded as a violation of human rights in the modern world. Organ trafficking, child labour, marriage, unlawful adoption, and getting pregnant are some of the ways it can occur. While both girls and boys are affected overall, child trafficking impacts children differently depending on their gender and location. Girls are mainly trafficked for sexual exploitation, while boys are mostly trafficked for forced labour. Additionally, a distinct group of traffickers operates within the state, transporting people between towns, districts, and states.
Even if a child agrees, it may be due to coercion, fear, or other similar circumstances. In this case, the child’s consent is invalid because it belongs to the person who exploits them. It is not recognised by the law. Both sexes have been used in human trafficking, with men being used for child labour and women primarily for sexual labour.
Child trafficking occurs everywhere; it frequently occurs when a child has no one to care for them, parents who earn a daily wage also select children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and children who have migrated and lack identity are the population most at risk of being trafficked. Few orphanages take on the role of the underdog for these individuals. To raise money for their families, even parents are becoming involved in human trafficking by selling their own children to engage in sexual activity. In certain circumstances, it can also occur if the family is extremely disorganised. These days, children who use the internet without parental supervision run the risk of becoming involved with human traffickers.
Shocking numbers related to Child trafficking:
According to the Bureau’s National Crime Record report, 2484 victims under the age of 18 were saved in 2018; 2746 children were saved in 2019; 2151 children were saved in 2020; 2691 children were saved in 2021; and 3098 children were saved in 2022. Nearly 200,000 victims have been identified between 2020 and 2023. The number of unreported cases is even greater. To facilitate the easy transportation of children across borders around the world, numerous organised committees are devotedly functioning for it. The trafficker’s profit from the children’s labour, illicit activities, and sexual exploitation.
The ministry has established anti-human trafficking units in every district across every state. Additionally, the ministry has organised conferences and judicial colloquiums to inform officers about the latest developments and initiatives related to the problem of human trafficking. Since 2013, between 12,000 and 14,000 people, mostly children, have been reported missing annually. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, the majority of child trafficking occurs in the states of Odisha, Bihar, Telangana, and Maharashtra. Boys are trafficked in Odisha, while girls are trafficked in Rajasthan, and the number of cases is still rising. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) promotes awareness of child trafficking as a global problem to identify the population most at risk from the crime. Additionally, the traffickers ought to face swift punishment that ensures justice for those impacted. Additionally, the child will experience physical and psychological effects as a result of the impact. Traffickers who profit greatly from this. There is always a fine line between trafficking and illegal migration. Trafficking occurs when a child is coerced, either by deceit or without awareness, while illegal migration occurs when migrants travel across borders with their full cooperation. While some nations have taken steps to prevent illegal immigration, the need for labour in other nations still exists.
Save Child for Better Future
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing criminal activities in the world after drug trafficking, generating an estimated US$150 billion annually. Strict laws, increased security, improved border security, and an effective system for tracking traffickers are all necessary to put an end to this trafficking. Government can disseminate information about child trafficking by holding outreach programs and awareness campaigns about child labour, sexual exploitation, and other abuses of children. Sociologists, social workers, and legislators need to take this case very seriously. Thus, this facilitates communication with the family or an individual impacted by human trafficking.
One such effort to raise awareness of human trafficking and its effects on society is the “Blue Heart Campaign”. To stop child trafficking, it also urges the government, private, and other corporate sectors to get involved. They have brought up the blue heart, which symbolises the loneliness of victims of human trafficking as well as the brutality and coldness of some traffickers. This campaign also raises money for victims and helps them throughout their lives with organisations that support people all over the world. Additionally, it is the duty of parents to watch over their children and shield them from any exposure to such evil works.
Hence, Child trafficking is a serious human rights issue that robs children of their safety, dignity, education, and opportunities for a better future. Although the government has introduced several laws and initiatives to address this problem, the rising number of cases indicates the need for stricter implementation of laws, increased public awareness, and coordinated efforts from families, communities, educational institutions, and policymakers. Ensuring the protection of children from all forms of exploitation is a collective responsibility, and continuous efforts are required to create a safe and supportive environment where every child can grow and thrive without fear of trafficking and abuse.
