Breaking Down the Myth: Why Familial Human Trafficking Goes Unnoticed
Many people believe that if their child was trafficked, they would agonize over their enslavement and sacrifice anything to be reunited. Even though many families suffer at the hands of human trafficking, the idea that every parent would agonize over their child’s enslavement perpetuates the myth that family members are never complicit or involved in the trafficking of their relative.
In fact, according to The Counter-Trafficking Data Collaborative (CTDC), “Almost half of identified cases of child trafficking begin with some family member involvement.”
So, who are these family members that are involved in human trafficking? In cases of child trafficking, it can be a direct relative that is likely involved. While in cases of adult trafficking, it is more likely to be an intimate partner. When cases of trafficking involve a family member, friend, or intimate partner, they comprise “a third of adult trafficking cases and around two thirds of child trafficking cases,” according to the CTDC. Even though it’s hard to believe, children are more likely to be trafficked by someone with whom they have a close relationship. In spite of these statistics, cases of familial trafficking are often overlooked because many assume that relatives and the people we love would never exploit their own family. It is because of such myths that many are unaware of the scope of familial trafficking.
Cases of human trafficking where a family member is responsible involve what the International Office for Migration (IOM) calls “a spectrum of intent.” This term refers to the level at which the family member involved in trafficking their relative was aware of what they were doing. In some cases, the family member is fully intending to exploit their relative in order to receive some sort of material gain in return. However, it can also be the case that family members, particularly parents seeking a better life for their child, unknowingly place their child into a trafficking situation by arranging a job or educational opportunity for them abroad.
In any case, the way human trafficking is so often depicted, (as in Liam Neeson single-handedly fighting traffickers to rescue his daughter in Taken), reinforces statements that a parent would sacrifice anything for their child. This misconception about human trafficking is particularly dangerous, because it can lead many to believe that it is impossible to be trafficked by a parent or a spouse. Therefore, the child being trafficked often isn’t able to recognize the situation when it occurs.
The IOM has made it part of their mission to “help children identify potentially dangerous or exploitative situations and know how to get support.” In order to ensure that children are able to recognize human trafficking, we must break the myth that parents and spouses are never complicit in their family member’s slavery. Exposing the myth for what it is will help children to become familiar with the signs of trafficking, enabling them to seek freedom if they have experienced it.
These dangerous misconceptions about parental involvement in human trafficking also imply that modern slavery only occurs abroad or in impoverished communities where parents must sell their children in order to purchase basic necessities. While this form of familial trafficking is a reality, it also occurs in developed countries, in the homes of the wealthy and influential as part of organized crime. Widely respected families have access to criminals who can assist them in trafficking their children or relatives. Often, trafficking is the “family business” to the extent where it can become normalized within the family. Because the child sees trafficking and forced labor as a normal situation, it becomes even more difficult for them to identify the problem and escape it.
Education is crucial in the fight to end familial human trafficking. Children must be taught that if someone is using their body for profit, it is a grave, horrific offense, even if it is their parents committing the crime. Many are under the impression that it is impossible for a parent to exploit their child because they would never want to endanger or exploit their own family. However, the reality is that familial human trafficking is all-too common, and we must shatter the myth that relatives are never involved in the trafficking of their children. If we expand education on the facts of familial human trafficking to teachers, counselors, coaches, and any other adults who have frequent interaction with children, we can reach those who are suffering. Once children are able to recognize their abuse and oppression, freedom is possible.
About the Author
Victoria Shircliffe is a superfan of the television show "Once Upon a Time," and when she’s not working at the public library, she’s travelling across the country to fan conventions! She recently graduated from Bellarmine University with a degree in English and Marketing Communication and hopes to pursue a Masters in English. She is passionate about feminism, fairy tales, and fighting human trafficking.