Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking is the modern equivalent of slavery.

Every day, men, women and children are sold into slavery, prostitution, or forced to serve as soldiers in conflicts throughout the world. It is happening on almost every continent and country.

Many times smugglers take their captives into other countries making their whereabouts almost impossible to trace. The United States government cites 170 countries where human trafficking is taking place. It has been called the fastest growing criminal industry in the world, with the total annual revenue estimated to be between $30 billion and $40 billion.

Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur around the world are committed to exposing and correcting these abuses.

Key Facts

• 12.3 million adults and children are in forced labor, bonded labor and prostitution around the world.
• 1.8 per 1000 people in the world are trafficking victims...in Asia and the Pacific, this number is 3 per 1000 people.
• There is an appalling difference between the number of estimated victims and the number of identified victims.
• Many countries and states remain unable to adequately prosecute traffickers.
• Many trafficking survivors never receive rehabilitation services including immediate needs for physical safety, housing and health care.
• Most Americans do not know what human trafficking is, or if they do, they think it is a problem that only occurs in other countries (Adapted from Education for Justice)

Here are some ways you can help:

Begin to educate yourself about the trafficking of women, children and men in your area, the United States and around the world. One of the best ways to help combat human trafficking is to raise awareness and learn more about how to identify victims.