Child Trafficking

What is child trafficking?

Child trafficking is when a child is recruited, moved, or controlled so that they can be exploited. Children cannot consent to this.

Any child who is exploited in this way is a victim of trafficking.

Child trafficking can take many forms, and children may experience more than one type of exploitation:

• Sexual exploitation includes actual or attempted abuse of position of trust, differential power, or vulnerability for sexual purposes. This can include commercial sexual exploitation or the production of sexual abuse images.
• Forced labour involves children being made to work in unsafe or exploitative conditions. They may work in agriculture, mining, factories or as domestic workers.
• Criminal exploitation involves children being forced or manipulated into committing crimes such as drug trafficking, theft or other illegal activities.
• Illegal adoption includes trafficking babies and children for their exploitation, often involving coercion or deception of their guardians or parents.
• Children recruited by armed forces or armed groups. Child trafficking in armed conflict can take various forms, including recruitment and use in combat and support roles. They may be forced to fight, carry supplies, act as messengers or perform other support roles. Many experience violence, abuse and coercion.
• Child marriage includes any formal or informal marriage where one or both people are under the age of 18. Child marriage is considered a form of forced marriage because children cannot give their full, free and informed consent.

The impact of trafficking on children’s lives

Child trafficking has a devastating impact on children. It can affect their safety, health, wellbeing and future, often for many years.

Emotional and psychological harm

Children who have experienced trafficking often navigate serious emotional and psychological challenges. Traffickers often use threats and coercive behaviour to maintain control.

Children may also be separated from their families and the people they trust.

Physical harm and health risks

Trafficked children are also at high risk of physical harm. They may experience violence, neglect and abuse.

Some suffer serious injuries or health problems that go untreated.

Exploitation and abuse

Exploitation is closely linked to child trafficking. Children may be forced into labour, sexual exploitation, criminal activity, or other forms of abuse.

Many also experience more than one type of exploitation. The abuse they face, sometimes for many years, can have long-lasting effects on their lives.

Impact on development

Trafficking can also affect a child’s growth and development.

Children need nurturing care and access to health services to survive and thrive.

Living with fear, violence and exploitation can harm their physical health, mental wellbeing and relationships with others.

Missing out on education

Many children who experience trafficking are denied access to education.

Instead of being at school, they are forced into situations where they are exploited.

Every child has the right to learn. Education reduces poverty, prevents inequality, and leads to better health.

Isolation and loss of support

Traffickers often separate children from their families, friends and communities. Without people they trust around them, children may feel alone and unable to ask for help.

UNICEF’s role in ending child trafficking

UNICEF works to end child trafficking by strengthening efforts to prevent it, protecting children at risk, and supporting survivors.

Strengthening child protection systems

We work with governments, local organisations and communities to strengthen child protection systems.

This helps to increase efforts to identify children at risk, prevent exploitation, and provide survivors of trafficking with child-friendly and holistic support.

Preventing trafficking before it happens

UNICEF supports programmes that help keep children safe in their communities.

We work to address some of the main factors that increase the risk of trafficking, including poverty, conflict, displacement and lack of access to education.

Supporting survivors

For children who have experienced trafficking, UNICEF supports services that help them recover and rebuild their lives.

This includes access to mental health support, healthcare, education and other services that help children heal from trauma and plan for the future.

Strengthening child protection systems

We work with governments and international partners to strengthen laws, policies and frameworks on child protection.

Through this work, we seek to prevent and respond to violence, abuse and exploitation.

Building a safer future for children

We work to prevent trafficking, protect children and support survivors while helping to build stronger systems that keep children safe now and in the future.

Signs that a child is a victim of trafficking

Child trafficking can be difficult to spot, however, there are some warning signs that may suggest a child is being trafficked or exploited.

Changes in behaviour

A child may seem frightened, anxious or withdrawn.

They may be unwilling to talk about where they live or who they spend time with.

Unusual living or travel arrangements

A child may have no access to their parents or caregivers, travel unaccompanied by adults or in groups with individuals who are not relatives, have no access to education, or live apart from other children.

Signs of physical abuse or exploitation

Some trafficked children show signs of physical abuse, neglect, exhaustion or poor health.

Others may suddenly have money, gifts or expensive items that cannot be easily explained.

A child may also seem to be under the control of another person who speaks for them, closely monitors them or stops them from seeking help.

Protecting children from harm

These signs do not always mean that a child is being trafficked. However, they can be a sign that a child is at risk and may need support or protection.

UNICEF is committed to ensuring that every child grows up free from violence, abuse and exploitation.