Under the Surface: Unmasking Human Trafficking in the Modern World

In this eye-opening episode of The Perspicacious Perspective, we unravel the hidden, harrowing world of human trafficking. Far from being a problem confined to distant corners of the globe, this modern form of slavery thrives in plain sight—even in some of the most developed nations. From defining what human trafficking really is, to exploring how technology is weaponized against the vulnerable, this episode takes a deep and unflinching look at the scale, tactics, and human cost of this global crisis. We also spotlight powerful stories of survival and examine how governments, international organizations, and grassroots movements are working to combat trafficking in all its forms. Tune in for a sobering yet essential conversation that demands our awareness—and action.

Transcript

Welcome to another episode on The Perspicacious Perspective.

I don’t know if you’re with me on this one but ever since I heard about human trafficking I’ve always wondered where these people are who are being trafficked around the world, and what a trafficked person even looks like.

Due to spending most of my life living in the West and never having come across any stories of people being trafficked in the West, I just assumed that it was reserved for the less economically developed areas of the world and that it wasn’t that big of a problem, globally speaking.

So this is what this episode will be addressing. I’ll be talking about how human trafficking is even defined, what we know about human trafficking today, whether it can even be found in the 

West and what the world is doing to tackle the global issue of human trafficking.

·      So what do we know about human trafficking today?

Human trafficking affects millions of people across the world today. According to the Global Estimates of Modern Slavery in 2022, around 50 million people were in modern slavery on any given day in 2021—28 million people in forced labor and 22 million people in forced marriage.

·      So how is human trafficking even defined?

Human trafficking is defined by the United Nations. 

To qualify as human trafficking, three components are usually required for adults:

Number 1 is the Act (or what is done), which could be the recruitment, transportation, transfer harbouring or receipt of a person or number of persons.

Number 2 is the Means (or how it’s done), which could be through threats or use of force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or vulnerability, or payments or benefits to control another person.

And Number 3 is the Purpose (or why it’s done), which is invariably for exploitation. A victim could be exploited for sex (including prostitution), forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or exploited for the removal of organs.

For children (under 18 years of age), the “means” component- how it’s done- is not required. Any form of exploitation involving a child is considered trafficking, even if no force or deception was used.

Let’s not mistake smuggling for trafficking either. Trafficking is about exploitation, it may not involve crossing borders, and victims are coerced or deceived.

Smuggling however involves consent, it typically ends after the border crossing, and is a crime against the state, not the individual (though smuggled individuals can become trafficking victims later).

·      So what are the different forms of trafficking?

Human trafficking actually occurs in a variety of forms, which all involve the exploitation of people through force, fraud, or coercion. While the specific type of abuse may differ, all forms share the core feature of controlling individuals for the purpose of exploitation, often for profit. The most well-known form is sex trafficking, where victims—most often women and girls—are exploited for commercial sex through prostitution, pornography, or escort services. These individuals are typically coerced, manipulated, or threatened, and may be trafficked both within and across borders. Men and LGBTQ+ individuals are also vulnerable, though often underrepresented in public discourse.

Another widespread form is labor trafficking, where people are forced to work in sectors such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing, mining, or fishing, usually under inhumane and exploitative conditions. Victims of forced labor may receive little or no pay, have their documents withheld, and be subject to threats or physical confinement. A particularly hidden form of this is domestic servitude, where trafficked individuals—often women and migrant workers—are forced to work in private households. These victims may be isolated, subjected to long hours without pay, and denied access to communication or legal recourse.

Child trafficking is a major global concern and encompasses several forms of exploitation. Children may be forced into labor, sexually exploited, recruited as child soldiers, used for begging, forced into early marriages, or sold for illegal adoptions. Because of their age and dependence, children are particularly easy to manipulate and exploit, and in many cases, traffickers are people the children know and trust.

Another serious and often overlooked form is forced marriage, where individuals—often women or girls—are compelled to marry against their will, sometimes in exchange for money, goods, or to resolve family disputes. Such marriages can involve emotional abuse, sexual violence, and long-term confinement. When minors are involved, the marriage is inherently exploitative and legally considered a form of trafficking.

Organ trafficking is a more hidden but extremely serious form, involving the illegal removal and sale of human organs. Victims, usually from impoverished backgrounds, may be tricked into giving up an organ or forced to do so. In some extreme cases, they may be killed for their organs. This type of trafficking often occurs in unregulated or corrupt medical environments and poses severe health and human rights risks.

In addition, trafficking can involve criminal exploitation, where victims—often children, migrants, or the homeless—are forced to commit crimes such as drug trafficking, theft, or fraud for the benefit of their traffickers. This form of trafficking is often overlooked because victims are seen as perpetrators, not exploited individuals.

With the rise of digital technology, cyber trafficking and online exploitation are becoming more prevalent. Traffickers now use social media, online job ads, and encrypted messaging apps to recruit and exploit victims. This includes livestreamed sexual abuse, the coercion of individuals into producing explicit content, and the recruitment of vulnerable people into trafficking schemes under the guise of legitimate employment or relationships.

Finally, bride trafficking occurs in regions with significant gender imbalances, where women are sold or coerced into marriage. Victims, often from marginalized communities, may be abducted, tricked, or sold by their families and end up in abusive and exploitative domestic situations.

These forms of trafficking may overlap and evolve with social, political, and technological changes, but they all share a reliance on the vulnerability of victims and the profit-driven motivations of traffickers. 

·      Where would most victims to human trafficking be found?

Victims of human trafficking can be found across the globe, but they’re most commonly concentrated in areas where people are highly vulnerable and where protective systems are weak or absent. These include both the regions from which victims are sourced and the places where they are ultimately exploited. Typically, victims originate from low-income and conflict-affected regions where poverty, political instability, and weak law enforcement create conditions ripe for exploitation. Sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Central America, and parts of the Middle East are frequent source areas, with individuals being trafficked for forced labor, sexual exploitation, or domestic servitude.

Migration and refugee routes are also major hotspots for trafficking. People fleeing war, persecution, or economic hardship often fall prey to traffickers during their journeys. These victims are especially at risk along the Mediterranean migration corridors, Southeast Asian routes, and the Central America–United States border. Migrant workers, particularly those lacking legal status or documentation, are highly vulnerable to exploitation in industries such as agriculture, construction, domestic work, and manufacturing.

On the other side of the trafficking chain are the destination areas—typically wealthier countries or urban centers—where there is a high demand for cheap labor or commercial sex. Cities in Europe, North America, the Gulf States, East Asia, and Australia often serve as key hubs for exploitation. These urban environments offer traffickers both anonymity and opportunity, as the demand for domestic workers, factory laborers, and sex workers often exceeds the available regulated workforce.

Certain industries are especially prone to trafficking due to their low wages, high demand, and lack of regulation. Victims are often found in construction sites, agricultural fields, fishing boats, textile factories, and within private homes as domestic workers. The sex industry—both legal and illegal—is another common setting for trafficking, with victims often hidden in plain sight in brothels, massage parlors, or escort services.

Additionally, trafficking victims may be found within or just outside institutions such as orphanages, refugee camps, juvenile detention centers, and shelters for the homeless or mentally ill. These settings often involve individuals who are already isolated and vulnerable, making them easy targets for exploitation.

In summary, victims of human trafficking are most likely to be found in regions suffering from poverty, instability, or displacement; along major migration corridors; in cities and industrial areas with high demand for labor or sex work; within unregulated or informal economic sectors; and increasingly, online. The people most at risk are those with the least protection—migrants, women, children, refugees, and the impoverished—who traffickers exploit for profit in a wide variety of environments.

·      Are victims of human trafficking trafficked in any Western countries?

Yes, victims of human trafficking are trafficked in Western countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and countries across Western and Northern Europe. These nations are often considered destination countries, meaning they’re places where victims are brought and exploited—although trafficking also occurs within their own borders, involving both foreign nationals and domestic citizens.

In these countries, victims may be trafficked for various forms of exploitation, including sexual exploitation, forced labor, domestic servitude, forced criminality, and increasingly, online sexual exploitation. The common belief that trafficking only happens in poorer or developing countries is apparently a dangerous myth. Trafficking networks actually operate in both rural and urban areas of Western societies, often hidden in plain sight.

For example, in the United Kingdom, the government’s National Referral Mechanism regularly identifies trafficking victims from countries like Albania, Vietnam, and Nigeria—but also British nationals, particularly children and young people exploited by criminal gangs through “county lines” drug trafficking operations. Similarly, in the United States, victims are trafficked into industries such as agriculture, construction, hospitality, domestic work, and the sex trade. Many are foreign nationals, but a significant number are U.S. citizens, including minors coerced into commercial sex or gang-related activities.

In Germany, France, and other European Union countries, victims are frequently found in the sex industry, seasonal labor, and informal domestic roles. Migrants from Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia are particularly vulnerable, but local citizens can also be affected—especially those from marginalized or disadvantaged communities.

In short, human trafficking is very much present in Western countries, and it affects a wide range of people—including undocumented migrants, low-income workers, children in foster care, runaway youth, and victims of domestic abuse. Despite relatively strong legal systems and law enforcement capabilities, Western countries remain vulnerable to trafficking due to persistent demand for cheap labor and commercial sex, gaps in regulation, and growing online exploitation.

·      Which kinds of people are most vulnerable to human trafficking?

Certain groups of people are more vulnerable to human trafficking due to factors such as poverty, lack of education, discrimination, unstable living conditions, and limited access to support systems. Traffickers deliberately target individuals who are socially, economically, or legally marginalized, as these individuals are easier to manipulate, deceive, or coerce. 

Women and girls are the majority of victims, especially in cases of sex trafficking, domestic servitude, and forced marriage. They’re often targeted due to gender inequality, lack of access to education or employment, and societal norms that limit their autonomy or mobility. In some cultures, girls are also more likely to be sold or forced into early marriage.

Children are extremely vulnerable because of their dependence on adults and limited ability to recognize danger. They’re trafficked for forced labor, sexual exploitation, begging, criminal activity, and even child soldiering in conflict zones. Orphans, street children, and those in institutional care are at even greater risk due to lack of family protection.

People who migrate—especially undocumented migrants or asylum seekers—are at high risk of trafficking. Desperation, language barriers, lack of legal status, and unfamiliarity with their surroundings make them easy targets. Many are lured with false job offers or promises of safety, only to be exploited in labor or sex trafficking.

Poverty is one of the strongest drivers of vulnerability. Individuals struggling to meet basic needs may take risks out of desperation, such as accepting dubious job offers or migrating without support. They can become trapped in exploitative conditions like debt bondage, where they’re forced to work indefinitely to repay loans.

Individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities are vulnerable to trafficking because they may be more dependent on others and less able to escape or report abuse. In some cases, they’re trafficked for forced begging, domestic servitude, or sexual exploitation.

In many regions, ethnic minorities and indigenous communities face social exclusion, discrimination, and economic disadvantage. This makes them more likely to be targeted by traffickers, especially in countries where these groups have limited access to education, employment, or legal protection.

People who identify as LGBTQ+ are often marginalized by their families or communities and may face violence, homelessness, or discrimination. These circumstances can force them into survival situations, such as trading sex for shelter or food, which traffickers exploit.

Armed conflict, political instability, and natural disasters can displace populations and collapse protective institutions, leaving individuals—especially women, children, and displaced families—vulnerable to exploitation. Traffickers often prey on these populations during moments of crisis.

People without stable housing, particularly homeless youth and runaways, are highly vulnerable. Lacking shelter, family support, or income, they’re often approached by traffickers who offer temporary help, which turns into exploitation.

Individuals who have experienced domestic violence, sexual abuse, or childhood neglect are more likely to be targeted. Their trauma can make them more susceptible to manipulation, especially by traffickers who offer a false sense of love, protection, or opportunity.

So in summary, the people most vulnerable to human trafficking are those who experience social, economic, or legal vulnerability—whether due to gender, age, migration status, poverty, discrimination, or a lack of support. Traffickers exploit these vulnerabilities with calculated precision, often using deception, coercion, and control to trap individuals in exploitative situations.

·      What methods of control do human traffickers use against their victims?

Human traffickers use a wide range of manipulative and coercive tactics to control their victims and keep them trapped in exploitative situations. These methods are often psychological, emotional, physical, and financial, designed to break a victim’s will, limit their ability to escape, and ensure obedience. 

Traffickers often use deception, manipulation, and false promises to gain a victim’s trust before exploiting them. Victims may be told they’re being offered a legitimate job, education, or a romantic relationship. Once under control, traffickers use threats, intimidation, emotional abuse, and gaslighting to undermine the victim’s self-worth and create dependency.

Many traffickers maintain control through direct violence or the threat of it. Victims may be beaten, raped, starved, or tortured as punishment or as a way to intimidate them. Even the threat of violence against the victim or their family is often enough to keep them compliant.

Traffickers often isolate victims physically and emotionally by removing them from familiar surroundings, limiting their communication, and preventing contact with outsiders. Victims may be locked indoors, moved frequently, or kept under surveillance. They’re also cut off from language, legal aid, or support services, especially if they’re trafficked into a foreign country.

A common method of control, especially in labor trafficking, is debt bondage. Victims are told they owe money for travel, food, housing, or "services," and are forced to work to repay it—often with inflated or fake debts that can never realistically be paid off. This keeps them working indefinitely under the illusion of repayment.

For migrant victims, traffickers frequently confiscate passports, ID cards, or work permits, making it impossible for them to move freely, seek help, or prove their identity. This tactic traps victims in fear of arrest or deportation if they try to escape.

Undocumented migrants or individuals in unfamiliar legal systems are often threatened with police involvement, deportation, or false accusations of crimes. Traffickers manipulate legal fears to discourage victims from seeking help or going to authorities.

Some traffickers deliberately addict victims to drugs or alcohol, either to increase dependency or to exploit existing substance abuse. Addiction creates physical and emotional control, as the trafficker becomes the source of the victim’s needs.

In a method known as "Romeo pimping" or trauma bonding, traffickers pose as romantic partners or friends to gain trust and loyalty. Victims may believe they’re in a relationship, making it harder for them to recognize abuse or to leave.

Traffickers also use shame, particularly in cases of sexual exploitation, to silence victims. Victims may feel responsible for their situation, or be told that no one will believe or accept them. Cultural or religious taboos around sex, abuse, or gender roles can make this particularly powerful.

Victims are often closely watched. Traffickers may use surveillance cameras, "minders," GPS tracking, or regular check-ins to ensure compliance. Fear of being caught trying to escape discourages any attempts to seek help.

These tactics ensure that many victims remain compliant even when opportunities for escape arise, often because the psychological and emotional barriers are just as strong as physical ones. 

·      How do human traffickers use technology to recruit and exploit their victims?

Traffickers frequently use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram to identify and lure potential victims. They may pose as romantic partners, talent scouts, employers, or even peers to gain trust. Victims—especially young people—are often approached with flattering messages, fake job offers, or promises of love, money, or opportunity. Once trust is gained, the trafficker begins the process of manipulation and control.

Online job boards, freelance sites, and classified ads are used to advertise fake employment opportunities in modeling, domestic work, hospitality, or overseas jobs. Victims respond to these offers and are lured into situations where they’re later exploited for labor, sex, or domestic servitude. These offers often target individuals who are desperate for work, especially migrants and those in financial hardship.

Through direct messages and prolonged online interaction, traffickers groom victims—building emotional dependence through fake relationships. This method is often used to recruit young people, especially girls, who are convinced they’re in a loving relationship and later coerced into sex work or exploitation.

Traffickers use technology to exploit victims remotely, through live-streamed abuse, webcams, and non-consensual content. Victims—sometimes children—may be forced to perform sex acts on camera, with the footage sold or distributed online. Some traffickers run online blackmail schemes, threatening to release intimate photos or videos unless the victim complies.

Once a victim is under their control, traffickers may use GPS tracking, phone monitoring apps, or social media surveillance to monitor and control them. They might threaten to expose private conversations or images, or use technology to monitor a victim’s every move and communication, keeping them isolated and fearful.

Websites, forums, and apps—especially in the sex trade—are used to advertise trafficking victims to buyers. Victims may be marketed as "escorts" or "companions" on commercial websites, often under fake identities. In some cases, victims are forced to maintain online profiles and interact with potential clients, generating profits for their traffickers.

Traffickers sometimes use cryptocurrencies or anonymous payment systems to profit from exploitation while avoiding detection. These digital currencies can make transactions harder to trace, especially in online sexual exploitation and illegal labor markets.

Emerging technologies like deepfake videos and AI-generated content are being used to manipulate victims or to create false material to blackmail them. For example, traffickers may create fake nude images to extort victims into compliance or silence.

The growing role of technology in trafficking has made it easier for perpetrators to operate across borders, stay anonymous, and reach more vulnerable people with less risk of detection. 

·      So what are the most well-known stories of victims who have survived human trafficking across the world?

Somaly Mam is one of the most internationally recognized survivors of sex trafficking. Born in Cambodia, she was sold into sexual slavery as a teenager and endured years of abuse in brothels. After escaping, she founded the Somaly Mam Foundation, which helped rescue and rehabilitate hundreds of girls. Although h  er story was later questioned over some factual details, her work undeniably brought global attention to sex trafficking in Southeast Asia.

Rani Hong was trafficked from India at the age of seven and sold into domestic servitude. Eventually, she was adopted by an American family and became a U.S. citizen. She later founded the Tronie Foundation, which advocates for trafficking survivors worldwide. Rani has spoken at the United Nations and before world leaders, using her experience to push for stronger anti-trafficking laws and support services.

Originally from Indonesia, Shandra Woworuntu was lured to the U.S. with a false job offer in the hospitality industry but was instead forced into sex work. After escaping, she became an outspoken advocate for human trafficking victims and served on the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking. She founded Mentari, an organization that helps survivors rebuild their lives through mentoring and job training.

Bukola Oriola was trafficked from Nigeria to the United States under the guise of marriage and later forced into domestic servitude and isolation. After escaping, she became an advocate and journalist, founding The Enitan Story, a nonprofit that raises awareness and offers support for survivors of human trafficking and domestic abuse.

As a teenager in Ohio, USA, Theresa Flores was drugged, blackmailed, and trafficked into sex by classmates who used photos and threats to control her. She later wrote the memoir "The Slave Across the Street" and founded Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution, which is an initiative that distributes soap bars labeled with trafficking hotline numbers to hotels and motels across the U.S.

Timea Nagy was lured from Hungary to Canada with the promise of legal work but was instead forced into prostitution and strip clubs. After escaping, she became one of Canada’s most prominent anti-trafficking advocates. She founded Timea’s Cause Incorporation, which offers training for law enforcement and corporate sectors on recognizing and combating human trafficking.

Chong Kim, a Korean-American, has spoken widely about being lured into sex trafficking within the U.S. as a teenager. Her story gained further attention when it was adapted into the 2012 film Eden. While parts of her account have been challenged, her advocacy contributed to raising awareness about trafficking within the United States.

While not a traditional trafficking survivor, Nadya Tolokonnikova, a member of the punk protest group Pussy Riot, has spoken about the forced labor and exploitation in Russian penal colonies, especially for women. Her experiences have shed light on state-sanctioned forms of human trafficking, such as prison labor systems that are coercive and abusive.

Minh Dang is a Vietnamese-American who survived child sex trafficking and familial abuse. She became a powerful voice in the movement to recognize trafficking within families—a form often hidden and underreported. She now consults internationally on survivor-led policy and trauma recovery.

And finally Jose Alfaro is a male survivor of sex trafficking in the U.S., trafficked at the age of 16. He now works with organizations like GEMS and ECPAT-USA to highlight the often-overlooked issue of male trafficking victims. His story challenges the common misconception that trafficking only affects women and girls.

·      So what is the world doing to tackle human trafficking today?

The global fight against human trafficking has intensified in recent years, with international organizations, governments, and civil society implementing multifaceted strategies to address this complex issue. Despite significant efforts, challenges persist, particularly in adapting to evolving trafficking methods and ensuring effective coordination across borders.

The cornerstone of global anti-trafficking efforts is the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, also known as the Palermo Protocol. Adopted in year 2000, it has been ratified by 180 parties, committing nations to criminalize trafficking, protect victims, and promote international cooperation.

In Europe, the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings provides a comprehensive framework for preventing trafficking, protecting victims, and prosecuting offenders. As of October 2023, it has been ratified by 47 European states and Israel. 

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime publishes the biennial Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, offering data-driven insights into trafficking patterns and responses. The 2024 report highlights a 25% increase in detected victims since 2019, with a notable rise in child exploitation and forced labor cases.

Similarly, the U.S. Department of State's Trafficking in Persons Report assesses global efforts, categorizing countries based on their compliance with minimum standards. In 2024, Poland was upgraded to Tier 1, reflecting enhanced prosecutions, victim services, and inter-agency coordination.

Brazil launched a new plan in August 2024 focusing on preventing forced labor, the most prevalent form of trafficking in the country.

Canada's National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking established integrated law enforcement teams combining federal and local agencies to enhance investigations and victim support.

Nigeria's National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has been instrumental in prosecuting offenders and rescuing victims, with over 600 convictions and 21,000 rescues reported between 2003 and 2017.

Tech Against Trafficking collaborates with companies to develop tools like mobile apps for victim identification, satellite imagery to monitor forced labor in fisheries, and web-scraping tools to detect online exploitation. 

AI is being explored to analyze large datasets, identify trafficking patterns, and support law enforcement in proactive interventions. 

Despite progress, significant challenges do remain:

Reports indicate that in some regions, officials are complicit in trafficking operations, undermining enforcement efforts.

Funding cuts, such as those affecting U.S. agencies, have hampered global anti-trafficking initiatives, leading to reduced victim support and investigative capacities.

Traffickers continually adapt, utilizing digital platforms for recruitment and exploitation, necessitating constant innovation in detection and prevention strategies.

While the global community has made strides in combating human trafficking through legal frameworks, technological tools, and collaborative initiatives, ongoing challenges necessitate adaptive, well-resourced, and victim-focused approaches to eradicate this pervasive issue.

It’s obviously an intractable problem that requires countries across continents to work together to protect victims vulnerable to human trafficking. 

It seems as though human trafficking is all around us but is somewhat undetectable as every unique situation would require a deep investigation to prove that the victim was trafficked and manipulated for purposes of exploitation.

Due to mass migration, asylum seekers and the issue of documentation, I can see why bodies like the United Nation struggle to tackle this global issue.

This episode has at least disillusioned me of the ignorance I had about human trafficking before doing the research for this episode.

If it’s given you something to think about or has given you some perspective on human trafficking do subscribe as I will be uploading more content like this.

Thanks again for listening and until the next episode.