Can you buy a human being?

Human trafficking is the organised trafficking of people. This means that children, women and men are forced to do work and services by others who use force and violence. This trade is a violation of human rights.

Menneskearm med strekkode
Menneskearm med strekkode

«Eva»

My mother and siblings died because of the war in my country, and my father had travelled into the nearest town to find work. I was happy to have my grandfather, because he was really kind. He had hurt his legs in the war and had trouble with walking. It was up to me to make sure that he had something to eat. When I finished work for the day, I went to school. I had friends and we had time to play and have fun.

One day, two strange men came to my village. The men said that they knew of some work for girls in another country. One of them told my grandfather that if he let me go, I would come back with money so he could have the operation. Myself and three other young girls from the village agreed to travel, the youngest was only fifteen years old.

The men gave us all passports, and one day they picked us up in the car. I feel stupid because I willingly went with them, but everyone in my village believed that the men meant well. To begin with they were kind, and we got everything we needed and wished for. We travelled for a long time, day and night.

One day, the men completely changed. They gave us pills that made us sleepy, and we couldn’t fight when the men raped us. One of the girls became hysterical and just wanted to go home. The men killed her. This is what will happen to you if you protest, they said.

Sadly, there are many stories like Eva’s. Millions of children and young people have experienced the same.

The text has been taken from  kvinnehistorie.no.
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Trist ansikt av jente delvis lagt i skygge.
Trist ansikt av jente delvis lagt i skygge.

What is human trafficking?

Human trafficking is when a person is sold as a product. This person is forced into prostitution, forced work, begging, or being in the military. Both children, women and men can be victims of human trafficking.

The victims who came to Norway are often people from other countries who are poor or have experienced war in their home country. Many are afraid to ask the police for help. They are scared of being punished by those who are holding them captive. Can you think of any other reasons why they wouldn’t want to contact the police?

Those who are involved in human trafficking get hard punishment. These are the people who kidnap others, transport them, hide them or buy them.

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To personer gjør opp en handel med et barn som sitter i bakgrunnen med bøyd hode.
To personer gjør opp en handel med et barn som sitter i bakgrunnen med bøyd hode.

Human trafficking over time

Another word for human trafficking is slavery. It is the same thing, people are being taken advantage of in terrible ways. Some people were taken as slaves after a war or kidnapped from their own villages by human traffickers. You could also end up as a slave if you owed someone money or did something criminal.  Do you think that this is something that still happens?

During the Viking Age, slaves were called “treller”. Just like slaves today, the people the Vikings took were taken as prisoners and used to work for free. They had no rights and were considered a product.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, Europeans discovered new land in both America and Africa. To grow materials, they started plantations. They needed people to work on these plantations, so they captured people from Africa and America to do the work. The slaves were sold to the plantation owners. This was a terrible period in our history.

Over 12 million Africans were transported as slaves to America, and over a million died during the journey. Over six million slaves were transported to Asia, and eight million Africans became slaves on their own continent. Do you think there was any difference between being a slave in Africa or in America?

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Gulnet tegning av slaver som jobber på en bomullsplantasje.
Gulnet tegning av slaver som jobber på en bomullsplantasje.

Human beings are still being sold

Human trafficking is still a serious problem in many parts of the world. There are strict laws, but people do it anyway. Why do you think someone would do this?

Amerikanske dollar og hender som er bundet med et sort tau.
Amerikanske dollar og hender som er bundet med et sort tau.

Where do the victims come from?

Human trafficking happens both inside countries and across borders. About 20 million people are trafficked every year. Many come from Asia and are often taken via Eastern Europe to Western Europe.

The UN estimates that there are over 40 million slaves in the world. This includes human trafficking, forced marriages and work. Most victims are women and children.

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En redd jente som sitter på gulvet i et mørkt rom og dekker ørene med hendene sine.
En redd jente som sitter på gulvet i et mørkt rom og dekker ørene med hendene sine.

Human trafficking also happens here

Human trafficking also take place in Norway. An organisation named ROSA started in 2005 to help victims of human trafficking. They have helped people from 62 countries, mostly women and children, who have been forced into sexual services.

Many victims work long and hard days with little pay. There are different kinds of work: roadwork, cleaning, or working at a farm. Others are forced to commit crimes such as drug dealing or robbery. Begging on the street happens as well.

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En steinlegger som sitter på huk og legger på plass en ny stein.
En steinlegger som sitter på huk og legger på plass en ny stein.

Why don’t they escape?

It is easy to think that the victims can just run away. It is not that easy. Those who have them captured have a lot of power. They can threaten to kill someone in their families. The victims can feel a lot of shame for being tricked, and they are also being manipulated to believe they are to blame.

Many victims keep quiet, and they don’t say anything to the police because they are afraid of not being believed. If you escape, there is the fear of being caught again. It is a very difficult life, and perhaps they can never escape. 

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Asiatisk jente med skader etter slag i ansiktet.
Asiatisk jente med skader etter slag i ansiktet.

End slavery and human trafficking

The UN will try to put an end to slavery and human trafficking by 2030, and all child labour by 2025. 

One of the UN Sustainable Development Goals says that the UN must:

«Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.»

FNs bærekraftsmål
Liten gutt jobber med tunge løft på en byggeplass.
Liten gutt jobber med tunge løft på en byggeplass.

Prevention of human trafficking

Human trafficking is a serious violation of human rights. Many countries now have strict punishments for human trafficking. Countries also work together to beat trafficking. The police are keeping an eye on people that have something to do with human trafficking. 

Norwegian authorities work with other countries to beat this problem. They identify victims and punish human traffickers.

It must become easier for victims to come forward and report the abuse. The Victims of Human Trafficking Coordination (KOM) is a department that helps the organisations that work with victims.

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En arrestert person med håndjern.
En arrestert person med håndjern.

What can YOU do?

Victims of human trafficking have special rights. ROSA – help for victims of human trafficking – has long experience, knowledge and a network in the field. They can help victims get guidance, legal help, support equipment and a safe place to stay. They are also bound by confidentiality.

Do you suspect that someone is subject to coercion and exploitation?

Contact ROSA for guidance and/or help on their national 24-hour line. Tel – 22 33 11 60

Sources:

  • Gursli-Berg, Gunhild; Bahus, Vegard Bø: menneskehandel i Store norske leksikon på snl.no. Hentet 9. mai 2022 fra https://snl.no/menneskehandel
  • Norseng, Per G.: trell i Store norske leksikon på snl.no. Hentet 9. mai 2022 fra https://snl.no/trell
  • Steen, Tone; Hansen, Ketil Fred: slaveri i Store norske leksikon på snl.no. Hentet 9. mai 2022 fra https://snl.no/slaveri
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