Is India the leading country in human trafficking?

Answer 1

Human trafficking is an organized criminal industry that affects every nation. While the statistics can seem overwhelming, it is important to remember that every number represents the life of a victim. India is a source, destination, and transit country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation. After a trafficking journey that typically involves deception, rape, beatings, and constant threats, victims are often forced to live in confining and unsanitary conditions. Once formally put to work, human trafficking victims can be forced to service from 40 to 110 customers in one day. Malnutrition, sleep deprivation, as well as emotional and physical abuse become part of the day-to-day routine.

-

India has a record of human trafficking but other territories have a big record also. Malaysia is one of the leading countries in the estimated US$13 billion a year global black market involving the trafficking of human beings. Of the 2.4 million people trafficked every year, 1.2 million are children who could be trafficked for sex, labor or organs.

-

Namibia is a country of origin, transit, and destination for women, children, and possibly men subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking. Victims lured by promises of legitimate work for adequate wages may instead be forced to work long hours and carry out hazardous tasks in urban centers and on commercial farms. Traffickers in Namibia exploit Namibian children, as well as children from Angola, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, through forced labor in agriculture, cattle herding, fishing, and domestic service as well as in prostitution.

-

In modern day slavery, human beings are bought and sold on an international market, for amounts ranging from $80 to $5000 or more. They have no control over their lives or their children's lives: where they live, or what work they do. Being enslaved is extremely hazardous to human life and health - for example 22% of child slaves in India do not make it to adulthood.