Child
Trafficking
UNICEF addresses the root causes of child trafficking and other forms of exploitation and works to strengthen child protection systems alongside governments, communities and other partners.
What is child trafficking?
Child victims of trafficking are recruited, transported, transferred, harbored or received for the purpose of exploitation. They may be forced to work in sweatshops, on construction sites or in houses as domestic servants; on the streets as child beggars, in wars as child soldiers, on farms, in traveling sales crews or in restaurants and hotels. Some are forced to work in brothels and strip clubs or for escort and massage services.
Related: What Fuels Human Trafficking?
Child trafficking in the U.S.
Trafficking is not just an issue that happens to people in other countries. The United States is a source and transit country, and is also considered one of the top destination points for victims of child trafficking and exploitation.
Cases of human trafficking have been reported in all 50 states; anyone can be trafficked regardless of race, class, education, gender, age or citizenship when forcefully coerced or enticed by false promises. Poverty, discrimination, displacement, family separation and limited access to education or support services can increase vulnerability to child trafficking.
UNICEF's work in child protection
To protect children from exploitation, risk factors such as poverty and discrimination need to be addressed. UNICEF's efforts in countries around the world include:
- Helping to provide a living wage for parents so that their children do not have to work to support the family and can attend school instead
- Lobbying governments and other partners to develop laws and strengthen child protection systems to prevent and respond to violence and abuse
- Advocating for birth registration of all newborns
- Working with communities and faith-based organizations to change harmful societal norms that make children more vulnerable to exploitation
- Supporting the training of professionals working with children including social workers, health workers and police and border officials to help stop trafficking
Learn more about child trafficking
Learn more about child trafficking and UNICEF’s child protection work in the End Trafficking Toolkit. Students and educators can also explore the End Trafficking with Your High School guide for additional information and educational activities.
Frequently asked questions about child trafficking
How can a child become a victim of trafficking?
Traffickers may target children who are facing poverty, family separation, displacement, discrimination or limited access to education and support. They may use false promises of work, safety, money or a better life to gain a child’s trust or control.
Does child trafficking always involve crossing a border?
No. Child trafficking can happen within a child’s own community, elsewhere in the same country or across international borders. The defining factor is the exploitation of the child, not how far the child is moved.
Is baby trafficking a form of child trafficking?
Baby trafficking generally refers to trafficking involving infants. Babies are included within the broader protections for children under age 18. A situation may be considered trafficking when an infant is transferred, harbored or received for the purpose of exploitation.
Is child trafficking the same as child labor?
Not always. Child labor refers to work that harms children or interferes with their education, health or development. Child trafficking involves exploiting a child through recruitment, transfer, harboring or receipt. Some forms of forced child labor may also involve trafficking.
What can I do to help end child trafficking?
If you want to get involved or do more in your community check out these UNICEF USA resources for ideas on how to get started: End Trafficking Toolkit and End Trafficking with your High School.
