Child trafficking is the illegal abuse of children for purposes such as labor, prostitution or adoption. The children who are trafficked usually come from poor families, who often give their child out of desperation in the hope that some money will be earned for the family. Or that the child will be adopted by a rich family in order to have a better future. Unfortunately, most of these children fall into the hands of people who neglect, abuse or prostitute them.
Exploitation
One of the deplorable things of human behavior can be seen in the illegal use of children for one’s own purposes. Some of the most common exploitative cases involving children are: prostitution or sexual abuse, labor, illegal adoption or organ removal. This is described as a serious and punishable offense in both international and national law. Recruiting children to make money from them also goes against international human rights. The exact number of children who are currently victims of human trafficking is not known, but the estimated number is in the millions. Some sources estimate the number of trafficked children at 1.2 million per year. The majority of children who fall victim to child trafficking come from rural areas, where there is great poverty and developing countries. They are transported illegally to larger cities and then smuggled to countries where things are better. Both boys and girls are trafficked illegally, although demand for boys or girls can vary.
Which children
Child trafficking does not always happen under duress or through kidnapping, but also, in many cases, the children or their parents are approached by people who promise them income from the child’s work. Children are also given up for adoption and the parents hope that the child will be raised in better circumstances and have a future. This alluring image is presented to parents, but in reality the future of these children is worse than the poverty at home. They face suffering, both physical and psychological, inhumane treatment and very hard work.
The trafficking of girls is often for the purpose of sexual exploitation. This is not only a moral problem, but also a major risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, such as AIDS. Boys are often traded into slavery for work, which is very dangerous. An example is that of young boys from poor countries in Southeast Asia who are trafficked to Arab countries where camel racing takes place. They are then tied to the camels with ropes as the camel’s jockey. Some of these boys fell victim to camel falls and suffered serious injuries. But the humiliation and fear that happens to these children also causes psychological damage.
Stop child trafficking
Many international organizations are working hard to stop these inhumane activities against children. In many countries, laws have been made to criminalize trafficking in children. The most important thing right now is making people aware of this injustice to children.