Human Trafficking in Modern World

Human trafficking refers to the exploitation of human beings by others who use force, coercion, fraud, deception, and/or abduction to recruit, transport, harbor, and receive, and exploit human beings for profit. Trafficking of human beings is one of the most critical aspects of the unequal distribution of resources in the world: when the body is the only recognized resource and becomes the focus of a perverse global human trafficking market, where the demand matches the supply. Through the analysis of secondary data and literature investigation, findings show that human trafficking is the most pervasive criminal market globally. It can take various forms and may involve sexual exploitation, including prostitution, forced labor or services, slavery, servitude and related practices, as well as the removal of vital organs. Human trafficking is not a new social phenomena, as different practices of international human trafficking are well known throughout history. Nevertheless, in the last decades, it has assumed a significant place in the international political agenda. Trafficking is strictly related to the globalized economy greedy for the cheapest labor. Economic and social vulnerability are the main causes of trafficking from the supply side, while interests in profit and patriarchy society principles are the main elements concerning the demand side. Epistemological reflexivity on the social construction of trafficking issues in the international political agenda, as well as a more in-depth perspective on migration and on the complex relationship between victims, perpetrators, and rescuers, is recommended in order to mitigate this global social issue.