Human trafficking
One of the major concerns of Pope Francis is the plague of human trafficking in today’s world. We publish here some statistics.
The crime of human trafficking is linked to conflicts and wars. According to the United Nations’ Office on Drugs and Crime, the ongoing refugee crisis and migrant smuggling have caused an increase in human trafficking across the world. Of the current 21 million victims of human trafficking worldwide, 71% are women and girls and 29% are men and boys. 54% are victims of sexual exploitation, 38% of forced labor and 8% of other forms of exploitation including trade in human organs.
Current estimates put the annual illegal profit from the trade at $150 billion a year, only behind drug trafficking ($300 billion) and the counterfeit trade ($250 billion).
Let us pray for the victims and act for an end to this form of horrific injustice!
