What Fuels Human Trafficking

The individuals and entities involved in human trafficking include:

• Traffickers: These individuals, who may be strangers, acquaintances, or even family members, are the direct perpetrators, using force, fraud, or coercion to exploit victims for profit. They can operate independently or as part of organized crime networks. They often exhibit traits like jealousy, control, and violence.
• Customers/Clients: Those who purchase trafficked individuals for commercial sex, forced labor, or other forms of exploitation create the demand that drives the trafficking industry.
• Enablers: Individuals or groups who, intentionally or unintentionally, facilitate trafficking by creating opportunities for traffickers or hindering efforts to rescue victims and bring traffickers to justice. This could include corrupt officials or others who turn a blind eye to trafficking operations.
• Exploitative Employers: Businesses or individuals who knowingly benefit from forced labor or other exploitative practices of trafficking victims. 

The motives behind supporting trafficking can include:

• Financial gain: Trafficking is a highly profitable criminal enterprise, generating billions annually.
• Access to cheap labor or services:A desire for inexpensive goods or services can create a demand for exploited workers.
• Power and control: Some traffickers are driven by a desire for dominance over others.
• Other factors: Poverty, lack of education and economic opportunities, cultural practices that devalue certain groups (especially women and girls), and instability caused by conflict or disaster can create vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit. 

It is important to emphasize that human trafficking is a severe human rights violation and those involved in its support or perpetration are engaging in harmful and illegal activities.