Peruvian Authorities Rescue 2,000 Human Trafficking Victims in Two Years

Human trafficking is a persistent and widespread problem in Peru, with thousands of women and minors being forced into labor or prostitution each year. In the past two years, Peruvian authorities have made significant efforts to combat this crime, rescuing approximately 2,000 victims.

Rescued Victims and Statistics

According to Patricia Figueroa Valderrama, secretary general of the Interior Ministry, 42% of the rescued victims were minors. Many of these children were subjected to forced labor or sexual exploitation in remote regions with limited government presence. The majority of the rescued victims were women who were forced into labor or prostitution.

Key Statistics:

• 42% of rescued victims were minors
• Majority of children were subjected to forced labor or sexual exploitation
• 25 women were rescued from forced labor and sexual exploitation in Madre de Dios region

Recent Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking

The Interior Ministry has allocated a budget of $145,000 to combat human trafficking this year. Additionally, the ministry has launched campaigns aimed at promoting prevention and education about the crime.

Recent Developments:

• 25 women rescued from forced labor and sexual exploitation in Madre de Dios region
• Budget of $145,000 allocated for combating human trafficking
• Campaigns launched to promote prevention and education

Human Trafficking in Peru

Peru is identified as both a source and destination country for human trafficking, according to the US State Department’s most recent Trafficking in Persons Report. The mining sector plays a significant role in fueling the trade, with many victims being lured into forced labor or prostitution in regions such as Madre de Dios.

Notable Hotspots:

• La Rinconada: believed to be one of the largest centers of sexual exploitation in Peru
• Loreto department: had the most reported human trafficking cases in 2012
• Iquitos: a major source point for human trafficking victims

Challenges in Combating Human Trafficking

Peru continues to grapple with the issue of human trafficking, facing significant challenges in addressing the problem. Limited government presence and inadequate resources contribute to the difficulty in combating this crime.

Ongoing Challenges:

• Limited government presence
• Inadequate resources
• Difficulty in identifying and rescuing victims