About Human Trafficking
What is human trafficking?
Human trafficking is the crime of using force, fraud or coercion to induce others into servitude. It involves sex trafficking, labor trafficking and the trafficking of children for exploitation. Trafficking victims are treated as commodities: As human "goods," they can be sold and used over and over again. Back to top
Where does it happen?
Human trafficking occurs all over the world. There is not one country in the world immune to this crime. Some countries, like those in Eastern Europe and South America, are considered source countries where traffickers find their victims.Other countries, like Germany and the United States, are considered destination countries where traffickers are able to establish their presence and supply customers with victims. However, the scope of this problem is so hidden that it is difficult to identify statistics within a specific country. Back to top
Who suffers?
Men, women and children are all victims of human trafficking. Although the general public typically identifies women and children as the most affected victims, men are also victimized through forced labor, and both male and female children are victimized sexually. Back to top
Who is fighting back?
Numerous governmental, nongovernmental and intergovernmental organizations are working to stop human trafficking through research, law enforcement, legislation and social activism. Locally, the Human Trafficking Victim Services Program at the International Institute of Buffalo, along with the Western New York Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, assists trafficking victims and disseminates information. Back to top
Does human trafficking happen in Western New York?
Yes. Western New York is composed of three urban centers surrounded by extensive rural areas. Buffalo and Niagara Falls are major transit points for travelers between the United States and Canada. Constant movement of a large transient population--coupled with extensive casino, restaurant and exotic dancing establishments, and many rural farms employing migrant workers--exacerbate the conditions for human trafficking. Back to top
Where can I get more information?
Please visit our Resources page for addtional information and links. Back to top
What is the difference between "trafficking" and "smuggling"?
Although smuggling and trafficking are often mistakenly used interchangeably, they are quite different in practice. Smuggling occurs when migrants pay a third party, such as a Coyote, to transport them across an international border. Once the migrants have crossed the border, their business transaction with the smuggler is complete. Trafficking occurs when a person is induced into servitude through force, fraud or coercion.
Smuggling can turn into trafficking, however, when a migrant is unable to pay the smuggling fee and is told that he/she must work off the debt. The migrant becomes indentured to the smuggler. Often, the migrant's identification papers are taken away so that he/she is unable to leave without fear of being found and imprisoned. Smuggling is a crime against the state, while trafficking is a crime against a person. Back to top
Why are trafficked people considered victims?
Individuals who have been trafficked are victims because their human rights have been violated. They have been sold, coerced or fraudulently induced into slavery. Even if--as in the case of a smuggled person turned trafficking victim--the victims initially were willing to pay money to be brought illegally into the United States, in the end they were abused, violated and enslaved. Back to top
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