What do you do, when your freedom is snatched away?
It’s an unthinkable reality for millions of people worldwide. Women, men, and children—exploited for profit. Enticed into marriage, only to be sold into prostitution. Abducted and forced to become a child soldier—or to sell their organs. The scenarios can look different based on a person’s geography, sex, age, and physical abilities. But the result is always the same—a loss of freedom, a life of bondage.
The global number of modern-day slaves is growing. At 49.6 million1, it’s now higher than any other time in history3.
Human trafficking feeds modern slavery. It is the recruitment, movement, and exploitation of people for profit. With the COVID-19 crisis unfolding worldwide, and enduring global conflict, many more people are being plunged into poverty and instability. And as their desperation increases, so does their vulnerability to the tricks and schemes of human traffickers.
There are 5.4 victims of modern slavery for every 1,000 people in the world1.
Around 70% of trafficking victims are women and girls2.
Approximately 77% of trafficked girls are subject to sexual exploitation2.
“They promised me education”
Human traffickers use false promises, abduction, fraud, or force to ensnare their victims—and violence or blackmail to prevent their escape. Poverty can make people more vulnerable to these tactics. The hope of a better life is dangled before them—then snatched away when it’s too late.
You have
been sold.
Human trafficking is a large-scale and complex crime, with many forms.
Forced labour.
This could include domestic servitude or hard labour, often in situations where the child or adult is trapped by a debt they can never repay.
Sexual exploitation.
Women and girls are particularly vulnerable to this form of trafficking, although men and boys can also be recruited.
Forced marriage.
Young women and girls are the most likely to be sold into marriage, stripped of their rights to an education and a self-determined future.
Organ harvesting.
Trafficking for the purpose of removing and selling a person’s organs happens on almost every continent worldwide.
Criminal activity.
Criminal activity might include forcing young boys to become child soldiers for violent extremism, or work as drug traffickers.
Forced begging.
Children are the most common victims of forced begging. They can be made to beg for money on the streets by organised crime groups or even desperate parents.
Who are human traffickers?
Human traffickers can include boys who recruit their school peers, parents desperate enough to exploit their children, young men who trick women through romantic relationships, urban gangs, or highly organised criminal groups. The human trafficking process often starts by gaining a vulnerable person’s trust and making false promises. Violence or physical restriction is used as a tool of control in around 73% of cases3.
Human trafficking happens worldwide. Our current work focuses on Pokhara, Nepal.
On the ground in Pokhara
The open 1700-kilometre border between Nepal and India means that more people are being trafficked out of Pokhara than ever before. Across the country, around 35,000 people—including 15,000 women and 5,000 girls—were trafficking victims in 20184. The most common reasons for trafficking are for sexual exploitation, forced labour and organ removal. Our Field Partner, 3 Angels Nepal, is working at the frontline of this trafficking hotspot.
Give freedom.
End trafficking.
Our Field Partner, 3 Angels Nepal, fights against child and human trafficking at all levels—including rescue, rehabilitation, and education. With your support, our role is to build their capacity and impact.
Even after a person is rescued from trafficking, they are left with deep physical, mental, and emotional trauma. That’s why our Field Partner bookends their rescue work with preventative education to reduce risk and vulnerability, along with restorative services that empower trafficking survivors to rebuild their lives and thrive.
Over the past year, we have seen:
5,794
girls and women rescued from slavery by 3 Angels Nepal, or have the trafficking process intercepted
795
female entrepreneurs empowered with entrepreneurial training and support to start their own businesses and forge their own futures
4,771
people complete anti-human trafficking training, enabling them to be community spokespeople, leaders and advocates
150
children receive safe alternative housing where they can live, grow and thrive in a protective environment
263
students receive education at the 3 Angels School, preparing them for a bright future
152
trafficking survivors given refuge at the women’s safe haven, along with care to start healing and education to secure stable employment opportunities
It’s time to act.
Will you join us?
You can support the work of our partners by staying educated—and using your freedom to speak up.
Here are four easy ways to show your support right now:
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