Does human trafficking have to involve movement?

Dressember Reading Day #14

Every day during the month of December, we’re answering common questions and breaking down different aspects of human trafficking on our blog and Instagram. Join us in raising awareness about the injustice of human trafficking by sharing, donating, or joining the Dressember campaign (it’s not too late!).

Human trafficking, as defined by the United States Department of Justice, is “a crime that involves exploiting a person for labor, services, or commercial sex.”

Okay, but why do we call it “human trafficking?” And what does exploitation have to do with traffic?

Let’s break it down. We tend to think of traffic in the sense of movement and transportation, creating confusion about the exact nature of human trafficking; it is an industry—one that brings in $150 billion annually. The term “human trafficking” refers to the commercial nature of the exploitation of human beings for services and labor in a similar manner to that of a business that desires to grow by drawing more traffic to its website, for example.

Where is the traffic flowing?

Contrary to traditional conceptions of traffic, 77 percent of victims are trafficked in their own country of origin, according to the International Labour Organization. Trafficking most often occurs close to home.

When trafficking involves movement, it can also fall under “human smuggling” or “migrant smuggling.” The United Nations Office of Drug and Crime (UNODC) notes that migrant smuggling is “a crime involving the procurement for financial or other material benefit of illegal entry of a person into a State of which that person is not a national or resident.”

Is human smuggling the same thing as human trafficking?

Smuggling can be a part of human trafficking, but not all trafficking involves smuggling and not all smuggling is human trafficking. Individuals do not need to cross a border to be trafficked.

ENACT highlights three key differences between human trafficking and human smuggling:

Consent: Victims of trafficking provide no consent or uninformed consent; they are coerced or forced into acts. Victims of smuggling normally provide consent.
Purpose: Victims of trafficking are continuously exploited, whereas smugglers end their interaction with victims upon completion of their transportation.
Borders: Smuggling requires the movement of individuals across borders. Trafficking can occur even in the smallest of communities and does not require the movement of victims.

Why does this difference matter?

Understanding the difference between trafficking and smuggling allows policy-makers—and everyday citizens, alike—to partake in productive discourse around the issues and implement targeted, informed solutions that contribute to the fight against modern slavery.

What can I do to help?

It is extremely important to continue our work with Dressember. When advocates raise money for rescue missions, aftercare kits, and freedom centers, victims are rescued and given the support and services they need.