Frightening Rise in Child Trafficking Rates
A new United Nations report warns of a « frightening escalation » in child trafficking rates, with children accounting for 38% of human trafficking victims worldwide. Estimates suggest that the actual numbers could be even higher than reported.
The annual report of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Violence Against Children, presented to the Human Rights Council, highlights a significant increase in child victims over the past five years, with girls being disproportionately affected.
The report cautions that this crime will continue to rise unless immediate and decisive action is taken. It also stresses that increased global access to the internet has worsened the risk of traffickers exploiting online platforms for criminal activities.
Three key factors are driving this alarming trend:
- Children’s growing vulnerability due to poverty and conflicts.
- The expansion of trafficking networks through technology.
- The rising demand for child exploitation in various forms.
