The Current State of Human Trafficking

Victim Overview

According to the 2024 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the number of detected trafficking victims increased by 25 percent globally compared to pre-pandemic levels. One of the most significant trends within this increase is a sharp rise in cases of forced labor, which jumped by 47 percent. ¹ Child trafficking has also surged, with a 31 percent overall increase in detected child victims, and an even higher rate of increase among girls. In total, there are nearly 50 million victims of trafficking.²

Women and girls still make up the majority of trafficking victims. ³ In 2022, they accounted for roughly 61 percent of all cases detected worldwide. Females are most commonly trafficked for sexual exploitation, while boys are more often subjected to forced labor or criminal activities like forced begging. Overall, the leading form of trafficking is truly unknown, as all forms of trafficking are underreported.

Trafficking hotspots

Trafficking is a global issue that continues to happen all over the world. In recent years, Sub-Saharan Africa has emerged as a major source of victims, with rising reports of children and young people trafficked across borders or within conflict zones.⁴ At the same time, North America and parts of Europe have seen significant increases in detected cases. In the European Union, recent statistics show that nearly 10,800 victims were registered in 2023—a 6.9 percent increase from the previous year and the highest number recorded since tracking began in 2008. ⁵ Women and girls make up the vast majority of those victims, and sexual exploitation remains the most reported form of trafficking in the EU, followed closely by labor exploitation. ⁶

In the United States, the Department of Homeland Security’s 2024 annual report noted over 2,500 trafficking-related arrests and more than 400 convictions.⁷ The National Human Trafficking Hotline received over 32,000 tips in 2024, identifying nearly 12,000 distinct trafficking cases involving more than 21,000 victims. ⁸ The Global Slavery Index estimates that there are at least 1 million trafficking victims in the US.⁹

Trafficking Patterns

Traffickers continue to exploit digital platforms by using online job boards, social media, and encrypted messaging apps to lure, trap, and control victims. Today, there are increases in those exploited for labor, as well as participation in criminal activity such as fraud or romance scams.¹⁰ This reflects an increasing pattern where sex trafficking is intertwining more with organized crime operations. This is making it more difficult to detect and prosecute traffickers, which we will discuss below.

Globally, conflict, climate disasters, and economic instability are each intensifying trafficking as millions have become more vulnerable to exploitation. In fragile regions, trafficking often becomes a survival mechanism, preying on displaced populations, especially women, children, and undocumented migrants. Similarly, climate-related disasters in South Asia, East Africa, and Latin America have pushed entire communities into the hands of labor traffickers under the guise of economic opportunity.¹¹

Detection and Prosecution Challenges

As we mentioned before, detecting and prosecuting sex trafficking is more difficult when it is tied to organized crime. This challenge is due to the high level of coordination among criminal groups, their use of sophisticated methods like front businesses and money laundering, and the frequent movement of victims. Victims are often isolated, controlled through violence or coercion, and may appear compliant due to fear or manipulation, complicating the perception of consent. This is why victims in pornography or in Sex tourism locations are tough to detect. The veil of perceived consent is what makes detailed reporting and prosecution so difficult.

Detecting trafficking can also be challenging when a family member is the trafficker. The abuse often remains concealed behind the facade of a trusted relationship, making it harder for friends, teachers, neighbors, and even other family members to recognize the warning signs. Additionally, cultural or family dynamics may discourage victims from speaking out. They may fear that exposing a family member for a crime could bring shame or dishonor to the family. In some cases, victims may not even recognize their situation as trafficking, especially if they view it as a way to help their family financially or believe it is something they are obligated to do.

Legal gaps and varying definitions of trafficking complicate investigations, and the intimidation and corruption surrounding traffickers often shield them from justice. Cases frequently depend on victim testimony, which can be affected by trauma, making proof difficult to establish without clear evidence. Effective prosecutions require victim-centered, trauma-informed approaches and better training for authorities to recognize coercion signs.

Despite increased awareness, government responses remain insufficient, particularly regarding labor and domestic servitude trafficking. Although international cooperation has improved, gaps in cross-border intelligence sharing and legal coordination persist, especially in conflict-affected regions where trafficking thrives.

Support systems are not as robust as they need to be to meet the needs of victims worldwide. Services such as housing, healthcare, legal aid, and rehabilitation are often underfunded and of low quality, or may not even exist in a specific country. Even when victims manage to find safety, they continue to face stigmas and the risk of being trafficked again if the support programs are ineffective.

The Way Forward

While fighting trafficking requires better laws, detection, and prosecution methods, there are other key parts of trafficking prevention that need to be addressed as well.

Meeting Basic Needs

At SOS we like to say that the best rescue happens before a person is ever trafficked. At the root of many trafficking situations is a lack of basic needs. Traffickers always look to take advantage of those who lack those basic needs, knowing it gives them a grip on the lives of vulnerable people. When those needs are met, like close & fair access to clean water, accessible food and shelter, and days in the classroom instead of going out to gather water or taking a job to support their family, traffickers lose that grip.

Make Room for Freedom

Trafficked children or children of trafficking victims in red-light districts need safe places to sleep. We provide that in our safe homes. These homes help ease the burden of safety on mothers who are in the red-light district. By offering a shelter as a safe house for children, it gives a child’s mother, trapped in trafficking, the opportunity to ensure their child’s safety. This is also available to mothers, even if they are not yet ready to leave the red-light district. When they come into a safehome, they are met with extensive aftercare, including medical attention, counseling, vocational training, and education to help survivors rebuild their lives.

People like you can make a difference

Believing that you can make a difference in the fight against trafficking may feel beyond you after reading all these stats. In reality, we need everyone in the fight. It takes a worldwide community that is not only aware of trafficking but also allows the weight of its reality to push them into action. The best place to take action is to see what is already in your hand that you can use. Fund a safe home. Use social media to build awareness, or, as a business leader or owner, leverage your influence to partner with a local non-profit. Volunteering at local food banks to distribute food is another impactful option. Provide basic needs and safe places to sleep to effectively stop trafficking in it’s tracks. Just start where your feet are – If we all play a part, we believe we can put an end to human trafficking. Trafficking victims need you in the fight!