Financial Crime World

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Human Trafficking: A Complex Global Issue

Estimates and Profile of Victims

While there are no estimates for the number of people affected by human trafficking for organ removal, research has provided valuable insights into the demographics of victims. According to a report by the Financial Action Task Force - Asia Pacific Group (FATF-APG), key points about the profile of victims include:

  • No estimate available: There is no reliable estimate for the number of people affected by human trafficking for organ removal.
  • Gender distribution: In 2014, 28% of detected victims were children and 71% were female. This suggests that women and children are disproportionately represented among victims.
  • Increase in male victims: The proportion of men and boys among detected victims grew from 16% in 2004 to 29% in 2014.

Geographical Routes and Trafficking Flows

Human trafficking is a complex issue with routes that affect virtually all countries around the globe. According to the FATF-APG report, there are:

  • Over 500 different flows: There are more than 500 different human trafficking flows, including domestic and transnational trafficking.
  • Domestic trafficking: Domestic trafficking involves the movement of victims within a country between areas or within their local area.

Regional and Trans-Regional Trafficking

The majority of forced laborers have not moved away from their home area. In 2014:

  • 43% were trafficked domestically: 43% of victims were trafficked domestically, meaning they were exploited within their own country.
  • Transnational flows are complex: Transnational trafficking flows are increasingly complex, with victims being exploited within and between regions.

Some common regional trafficking flows include:

  • South-Eastern Europe to Western Europe
  • Andean countries to Southern Cone in South America
  • East Asia to the Pacific

Trans-Regional Trafficking

Countries with developed economies remain key destinations for trans-regional trafficking, while victims tend to originate from countries with less developed economies. The wealthier the country of destination, the greater the number of detected victims from outside the immediate region.