Types of Human Trafficking
International Trafficking vs Domestic Trafficking
International Trafficking occurs when a trafficked person crosses and international boarder for the purposes of exploitation. The immigration status or documentation of a victim of international trafficking is irrelevant to the crime.
Domestic Trafficking occurs when a trafficked person remains in the country in which they are exploited. Domestic trafficking can occur to foreign nationals within a country. The term domestic trafficking simply refers to situations in which trafficked persons do not cross international borders.
Labour trafficking can happen in any setting including construction. (Shutterstock.com)
Labour trafficking, forced labour or labour exploitation
Labour trafficking refers to trafficking in which someone’s labour is exploited for the benefit of their trafficker.
Labour trafficking can happen in any setting in which labour can occur and be exploited for another’s benefit, but common industries include:
Construction
Spas, salons and esthetic services
Restaurants & Hospitality (eg. hotels)
Agricuture
Manufacturing
In some cases those who experience labour trafficking also face sexual abuse and violence.
Sex trafficking or sexual exploitation
Sex trafficking refers to the trafficking situation in which someone is exploited for the purposes of sex or sexual services.
Sex trafficking or sexual exploitation can occur in a variety of settings including:
Massage parlours/saunas
Erotic dancing
Websites (eg. LeoList), dating apps & social media
Internet chat rooms
Hotels and short-term rental units
Sex Trafficking vs Sex Work - When a person is trafficked for sexual purposes, the trafficked person is exploited by a trafficker. However, when someone autonomously engages in the sex trade, this can be defined as sex work and the individual as a sex worker.
Social media apps are a way for traffickers to recruit and exploit young people. (Shutterstock.com)
“Domestic work is a sector which is particularly vulnerable to exploitation…because of the unique circumstances of working inside a private household combined with a lack of legal protection.” - AntiSlavery.org (Shutterstock.com)
Domestic servitude
Domestic servitude is a form of labour trafficking in which someone is exploited within a private household. Domestic workers can be employed to perform various duties including cooking, cleaning, laundry, elder care and running errands. In some cases, domestic workers in live in the employer’s home.
Trafficking occurs when:
movement is controlled (not allowed to leave the house),
wages are not paid,
workers are threatened or abused,
identity documents are withheld,
contact with family is monitored or controlled,
and/or they are forced to work or perform duties outside of the scope of what was previously agreed.