July 30, 2024 – New York — The United Nations is urging accelerated global action to end child trafficking as part of this year’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons campaign. The theme, “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking,” highlights the severe impact of trafficking on children, who make up one-third of all victims globally.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), children are twice as likely to face violence during trafficking compared to adults. This issue is particularly acute in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean, where children account for 60% of detected victims.
The risks are exacerbated by ongoing global crises such as armed conflicts, pandemics, economic hardships, and environmental challenges. Additionally, the rise of online platforms has provided traffickers with new avenues to exploit children, using technology to evade detection and disseminate exploitative content.
Children are trafficked for various purposes, including forced labor, illegal adoption, recruitment into armed forces, and sexual exploitation. Factors contributing to child trafficking include poverty, migration, armed conflicts, and family dysfunction. In low-income countries, forced labor is more prevalent, whereas sexual exploitation is more common in high-income countries.
Efforts to identify and protect child victims are hindered by underreporting, lack of awareness, and insufficient resources. Traffickers often use coercion and threats to control their victims, complicating intervention efforts by authorities.
The UN stresses the need for comprehensive action to protect vulnerable children and support trafficking victims. This includes enhancing child protection systems, improving legislation, and increasing law enforcement resources. Addressing the root causes of trafficking, such as poverty and inequality, is essential to reduce children’s vulnerability.
International cooperation and innovative strategies are crucial to combat online child exploitation. The UN encourages collaboration between tech companies, law enforcement, and civil society to develop robust legal frameworks and raise awareness.
As the 10th World Day Against Trafficking in Persons approaches, the UN calls for renewed commitment to ending child trafficking. Stakeholders are urged to join the campaign, support the Blue Heart Campaign, and donate to victims of human trafficking.
For more information and to join the fight against human trafficking, visit the UNODC website and follow their social media channels.
Contact:
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Website: [UNODC](https://www.unodc.org)
Twitter: @UNODC
Facebook: UNODC
LinkedIn: UNODC
YouTube: UNODCHQ
