The more
people I speak to about sex enslavement and trafficking, the more evident it is
just how naïve we are about the raw facts; both globally and within our own
country. I must admit that I too am one of the naïve. But no more! SO HERE ARE
THE FACTS:
REALLY IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
Due to the secretive
and illicit nature of human trafficking, the figures outlined above are best
estimates only. Sadly, it is most likely that these numbers are substantially
underestimating the true figures.
Profits earned by sex trafficking globally:
Approximately $32b US… yes, that’s with a b for BILLION!
Relative global impact?
Sex trafficking
is number 2 on the United Nations list for profits made from organised crime,
second only to drugs (National Human trafficking resource centre 2011).
How many people?
A minimum of 12.6
million enslaved for sexual practices, 2 million of which are children (UNODC
2012; International Labour Organisation, 2012).
Average age of a trafficked victim?
14
years
Women vs Men?
Women and girls account
for approximately 80% of trafficking victims (UNODC 2012)
Primary Countries involved:
Europe, Central Asia and
The America’s
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| Image taken from: http://europost.eu/article?id=614 |
Number of people convicted of sex
trafficking globally:
Just 4,746 in 2012 (Trafficking in person report
2013, Department of State, USA).
The
map below indicates compliance in enforcing the Trafficking Victims Protection
Act to stop and prevent human trafficking. Lighter blue countries are more compliant in preventing trafficking.
 |
| Image from:
|
Insane fact:
Humans sold for
enslavement are worth less now than during times of legal slavery: the
equivalent of $40,000 US per slave in 1850, and today children are regularly
sold for $72 US (www.love146.org).
In Australia:
Every year it is estimated that between 300 and 1000 people are trafficked into Australia, predominantly women from Asia for the purposes of sexual enslavement (UNODC 2012, human trafficking statistics UQ).
So wow ! I never knew just how far reaching and encompassing sex trafficking is globally. With 32 billion dollars passing hands annually, this is an enormous, illegal industry. I wonder how many other people knew the size of this problem. Did you?
by - Hamish Prosser
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