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Ending child trafficking

Every child deserves a life free from exploitation.

Across the globe, millions of people are victims of trafficking, but children are most vulnerable.

As a children's charity, World Vision works with families and communities to protect children from human trafficking. We focus on identifying signs that make children more vulnerable to harm, and we support families to tackle the root causes of child trafficking.

What is child trafficking?

Human trafficking is defined as the recruitment of a person by force, coercion, abduction, or deception for the purpose of exploitation. Children who are trafficked are often forced into dangerous work, robbing them of their childhood and dignity.

According to the United Nations women and girls are subjected to greater violence at the hands of traffickers. It's reported that children experience physical or extreme violence at a rate almost two times higher than adults, with a large number of girls trafficked for sexual exploitation.

What are the main causes of child trafficking?

Child trafficking is a complex issue that is caused by a combination of factors. Poverty, lack of education or job opportunities, and cultural norms are some of the main factors that can make children vulnerable to traffickers.

In addition, the consequences of climate change and conflict can also increase the risk of child trafficking, especially when the events lead to displacement and separation from their parents. 

READ MORE: Child trafficking FAQs

young girl from Myanmar looking out of a window by peaking between curtains
Women and girls are three times more likely to face explicit or extreme violence during trafficking compared to boys and men.

How we're ending child trafficking

With your support, World Vision protects children from the devastating effects of child trafficking. We work with communities to help families learn about child rights, generate a sustainable income and provide safe spaces for children.

You can protect children and end child trafficking today

Every country in the world is affected by human trafficking, forcing children to drop out of school and increase their likelihood of living in poverty. Support World Vision to tackle the root causes and protect children from the risks of child trafficking.

I'll help end child trafficking

Child trafficking facts

Child trafficking is a difficult crime to measure as it often takes place in secrecy, but here are some estimated statistics which are likely to underestimate the actual number of child trafficking victims, as many cases go unreported or undetected.

With your support, we work towards tackling the root causes of child trafficking. We advocate for children’s rights, support families financially and ensure that children are protected from harm.

I'll help protect children

Together, we can stop child trafficking

FAQs about child trafficking

  • The United Nations defines child trafficking as the act of recruiting, transporting, transferring, or harbouring children and young people for the purpose of exploitation.

  • Children are trafficked for different reasons and purposes:

    • For hard labour - such as work in farms or factories.
    • For criminal activities like transporting drugs, stealing.
    • For forced marriage.
    • For sexual exploitation or prostitution.
    • For domestic servitude, typically working in a private family home for little to no pay.
    • Other forms can be removal and sale of organs, and selling of babies or small children.

    It is most common for women and girls to be trafficked for sexual exploitation. Women account for nearly two-thirds of detected victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation, and another 27% are girls.  

    Boys are most likely trafficked for forced criminality. The UNODC reports that boys account for 68% of all detected cases, including shoplifting, pickpocketing, and drug trafficking. 

  • Here are some of the child trafficking signs:

    • The child or family have been threatened by the people you are with and/or
    • The child has experienced been physically or sexually abused and/or
    • The child or family have been told they have a debt to pay and/or
    • The child is being forced to do something she/he doesn’t want to do
    • The child has to work for little or no pay
    • The child has been told not to speak to or to keep secrets from other people such as police officers and/or
    • The child’s movement or communication is controlled and/or
    • The child never or rarely leaves their accommodation for social reasons and/or
    • The child has or uses false identity or travel documents, or they have been taken from you.

    If you suspect anyone who may be trafficked, you should report it to the closest authorities: Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or the police on 101. In an emergency always call 999.

    Source: World Vision and ECPAT UK 2021 Migration, child trafficking and your rights in the UK | ECPAT UK

  • Trafficking in persons (including of children) also happens in the UK. Most of those who are trafficked are from overseas, working in cannabis farms, agriculture, construction, prostitution, nail bars, and other service related work. Children are found working in all of these situations, as well as in sexual slavery.

    In 2022, the UK National Referral Mechanism reported receiving 16,938 referrals of potential victims of modern slavery: a term that includes any form of human trafficking, slavery or forced labour. This shows a 33% increase in the UK compared to the year before.

  • It is difficult to determine the number of children who are trafficked given the covert nature and the movement of persons who are trafficked.

    The latest global estimates indicate that there are 50 million people living in modern slavery. Of these, 27.6 million people are in instances of forced labour and 22 million are in forced marriages. Women and girls make up 11.8 million of the total in forced labour. More than 3.3 million of all those in forced labour are children.

    An estimated 6.3 million people are in situations of forced commercial sexual exploitation at any point in time. Nearly four out of five people trapped in these situations are women and girls Source: Global Estimates of Modern Slavery: Forced Labour and Forced Marriage - Executive Summary (ilo.org)

  • Human trafficking can happen to anyone irrespective of their age, gender and country but, according to UNODC’s 2022 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, women and girls account for 60% of victims in 2020.

    Females are also three times more likely to experience physical or extreme violence (including sexual violence) during trafficking than males. And children are most at risk, especially girls.  

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