People are not property: Understanding human trafficking and exploitation in the EU
“Trafficking in human beings is the slavery of our times. Often a complex transnational phenomenon, trafficking in human beings is rooted in vulnerability to poverty, lack of democratic cultures, gender inequality, violence against women, conflict and post-conflict situations, lack of social integration, lack of opportunities and employment, lack of access to education, child labour and discrimination. It is for this reason that trafficking in human beings must be addressed in an integrated, multi-disciplinary way and with the involvement of a diverse set of actors.”
European Commission Report of Trafficking in Human Beings, 2013
Human trafficking in Europe is hard to measure. Europol observes that “criminal activity related to trafficking in human beings can be hidden within other criminality, such as prostitution, illegal migration and labour disputes. This often results in instances of trafficking not being investigated or recorded as trafficking cases.” Despite the difficulties in measuring the problem, it is clear that human trafficking in the EU in vast and expanding. The OSCE estimates that there are three million trafficked persons in the OSCE territory at any given time, and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) believes that there are currently around 880,000 people being exploited for their labour in Europe.
Where victims come from
Of these victims, most originate in the EU. The European Commission (EC) report on human trafficking in 2013 showed that most victims identified in the region were from EU countries (approximately 61% of identified victims, over a three year period). The greatest number are women and girls from Romania and Bulgaria, usually members of the Roma community, Europe’s most vulnerable population. Governments frequently distance themselves from this group, creating no recourse for its most vulnerable members — women and children who are in real danger of exploitation.
Victims from outside the EU are increasing; the largest groups trafficked in are from Nigeria and China. Nigerian victims of trafficking, particularly, do not easily fit into the ‘mold’ of victim; seldom desperate, they are likely to see their exploitation as an immigration opportunity, working with and not for an exploiter (or criminal network) to gain freedom, then profit. Female victims are very likely to progress within the organization, becoming offenders who bring new victims to Europe.
Sexual exploitation
Trafficking for sexual exploitation continues to dominate the trade in human beings in Europe; nearly two-thirds of all victims are sexually exploited. Women and girls are over-represented in nearly all forms of human trafficking in Europe, comprising 75 – 80 % of total victims. Women and girls are frequently exploited for removal of organs, criminal activity, and benefits fraud, while men are most frequently trafficked for labour exploitation.
“Another rapidly growing group in the Euro-zone is children, who are increasingly trafficked for benefits fraud (social security and welfare benefits) and street crime.”
Another rapidly growing group in the Euro-zone is children, who are increasingly trafficked for benefits fraud (social security and welfare benefits) and street crime. Family members are often involved in the criminal gangs that move children with relative ease between EU member states.
The role of organised crime
Human trafficking in the European Union is largely under the control of organized crime groups. While mafia units were historically divided along ethnic lines, modern crime groups are more strategic in the pursuit of profit, incorporating up to 60 nationalities in a single group and functioning in 25 countries simultaneously. Besides EU citizens, traffickers from Nigeria, China, and Turkey are commonly identified. Crime is big business in Europe, and these organisations now operate like major corporations, with lawyers, accountants, bankers, financial advisors, judges, government officials and border guards all on the payroll. Many have “adapted their image to that of helpful ‘service providers‘ and indispensable intermediaries between clients and victims,” according to Europol.
Cyber crime is rapidly proliferating, changing the face of crime and exploitation in Europe. Child sexual abuse is rampant on the internet via chat rooms and webcams. Europol reports that public demand to investigate and prosecute these crimes is low (compared to crimes committed in the ‘real world’); often, European laws on privacy and freedom prevent police from obtaining information necessary to shutting down sites used for recruiting and exploitation. Journalist Lydia Cacho comments, “All over the planet, we are witnessing a culture that considers the kidnapping, disappearance, trade and corruption of young girls and adolescents as normal. They become sexual objects for rent and sale, and our global culture celebrates this objectification as an act of freedom and progress.”
Tricked into being trafficked
Fake employment agencies are a key recruiting arm of the trade in human beings. Europol has identified a growing group of individuals who do not fit the stereotypical scenario of vulnerability. Despite coming from reasonably stable backgrounds, they are tricked by promises of employment, good working conditions, and a salary…which is never paid. Even positive trends such as greater freedom of movement, cheap international travel, improved communication links, and self-confidence are exploited to recruit people who would not normally be considered vulnerable. EFN partners recently helped to identify one such agency targeting victims in Bulgaria.
“Areas known for exploitation include the construction industry, the tourism sector, catering, nursing, and domestic service. ”
Labour exploitation is growing in the European Union, following the recent expansion of the EU and the lifting of employment restrictions in many member states. Areas known for exploitation include the construction industry, the tourism sector, catering, nursing, and domestic service. Those exploited for their labour are less likely to be identified as victims of trafficking and exploitation, in part because of lack of legal framework and definition concerning what constitutes criminal exploitation. To complicate matters, these victims may not self-identify as victims - either because of pride and/or shame, or because their previous working conditions in the country of origin were so bad that they do not consider the current situation to be exploitative.
The role of the consumer
In all forms of trafficking, the uncaring or unaware consumer drives the market. The global economic downturn has created a new permutation, and a boon to traffickers. Not only are more individuals vulnerable because of economic instability or poverty, entire industries have become vulnerable to labour exploitation. When falling profit margins threaten the livelihood of a business, employers may resort to illegal or cheap labour.
A transnational problem – and response
Organised crime has developed massive networks to perpetuate the evil of human exploitation. This transnational problem can only be addressed by a transnational response, and the complex nature of the problem demands a joined-up, multidisciplinary response.
Against this backdrop, over 130 faith-based NGOs have allied themselves to create a Europe-wide network, the European Freedom Network to prevent and combat human trafficking and sexual exploitation and to seek the restoration of its victims.
In EFN, we believe that ‘with God and with each other, we are changing the situation’. We have faith that God is preparing a new David to, once again, defeat Goliath.
Jennifer Tunehag
www.europeanfreedomnetwork.org
For over ten years, Jennifer Roemhildt Tunehag has worked among women and men in prostitution and victims of human trafficking. Among other projects, Jennifer is currently working to help the European Evangelical Alliance to develop the European Freedom Network (EFN). The EFN exists to help the body of Christ in Europe work together effectively to prevent and combat human trafficking and sexual exploitation, and to seek the restoration of its victims. With others, she is working to provide information and training to churches, to facilitate networking and strategy for emerging networks, and to stimulate prayer on the topic globally.