What is Human Trafficking?

The terms ‘human trafficking’ and ‘modern slavery’ both refer to the crime of exploitation where persons, through force, coercion, threat and deception are made to work or carry out other activities against their will for the profit of others.

Human trafficking is a serious violation of human rights, including:

  • The right to liberty and security
  • The right to be free from cruel or inhumane treatment
  • The right to freedom of movement
  • The right to life

Trafficking can take various forms and may involve: 

  1. sexual exploitation
  2. forced labour and domestic servitude
  3. forced criminal activities
  4. forced begging
  5. forced marriage
  6. illegal adoption
  7. exploitation of surrogacy

More information on the forms of human trafficking can be found here.

To report to the Police: Crime Stop Number: 119

For support: 

To report working conditions: 

Human Trafficking is not migrant smuggling.

Human smuggling involves the provision of a service (typically, transportation or fraudulent documents) to an individual who voluntarily seeks to gain illegal entry into a foreign country. It is possible the crime may start out as human smuggling but quickly turns into human trafficking.

Human Rights Directorate
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