Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
III. International Understanding Violence Congress, İstanbul, Türkiye, 22 - 24 Ekim 2021, ss.236-247
Abstract
Objective: Human trafficking, also referred as modern slavery, is the abduction, forced recruitment and forced harbouring of persons for the purpose of exploitation, as defined by the United Nations Palermo Protocol. Although considered a serious violation of human rights and a crime against human dignity, it is widely experienced all over the world due to economic, social and political reasons. Initially regarded as the cross-border trafficking of women and girls for sex work and to a lesser extent domestic servitude, today it is recognized as a phenomenon where women, children and men are trafficked into many different forms of labour and sexual exploitation regardless of border crossing. Human trafficking is a high-profit, low-risk trade for traffickers, but it is detrimental to its victims. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a significant role in meeting the needs of victims of trafficking, such as security, protection, shelter, health, financial and legal support, and supporting their physical, psychological and social recovery. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the role of NGOs in victim assistance through examples, following a global assessment of human trafficking for sexual exploitation.
Material and methods: Current literature, including reports and statistics by national and international organizations, non-governmental organizations, advocacy groups and governments as well as scientific research articles, was reviewed to make a global evaluation.
Findings: Globally, an estimated 40.3 million people are trapped in modern-day slavery, one in four victims are children, 4.8 million people are subject to forced sexual exploitation, and 99% of these people are women and girls. The number of identified victims of human trafficking in 2020 is 109.216. In many countries around the world, national and international NGOs offer various types of support to victims of human trafficking, depending on the type of exploitation and the characteristics of the victim.
Conclusion: NGOs, due to their structures and approaches that well respond to victims’ needs, play an important role in protecting the rights of the victims of human trafficking and providing aistance. In many countries, institutional collaborations have been developed between the State and NGOs providing support to victims. This type of coordinated and planned cooperation, which provides cooperation and guidance between different actors, where minimum standards are determined and the services provided are monitored and evaluated, also facilitate the re-integration of victims into society.
Keywords: human trafficking, sexual exploitation, victim of human trafficking, sexual violence