Fact Sheet on Trafficking in Persons
Fact Sheet on Trafficking in Persons
What is Trafficking in Persons?
According to Republic Act 9208, trafficking in persons refers to ". . . recruitment, transfer or harboring or receipt of persons � by means of threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or of position or taking advantage of the vulnerability of the person, � for the purpose of exploitation."
Trafficking involves three elements: geographical transfer, strategies or means by which traffickers acquire their victims (threat or use of force, coercive, deceptive, or fraudulent means, abuse of power, and taking advantage), and exploitative or abusive purposes. Victim's consent is irrelevant in determining culpability of traffickers.
Back to Top
How serious is the problem on trafficking in persons?
The problem on trafficking is immense and requires immediate attention. While the actual numbers are difficult to document, the International Labor Organization estimates that 1.2 million children worldwide fell victim to trafficking for the year 2002. An estimated 2,000 women and children possible victims of trafficking have been identified and serviced by the Port Halfway House Program of the Visayan Forum (Manila, Davao and Matnog halfway houses), the Philippine Ports Authority, and other partners. The actual number of trafficked victims is higher considering that the North Harbor is only one of the many gateways for trafficking and that countless others have escaped the monitoring mechanisms of government and non-government organizations.
The problem is expected to intensify as those who fall prey to traffickers are expected to swell due to increasing economic hardships and dislocations brought about by conflicts.
Back to Top
Who are the trafficked victims? Where do they come from?
According to situational analyses conducted by Visayan Forum in major ports in the Philippines, victims of internal trafficking are mostly female, as young as 12 years old. Almost all of profiled victims come from extremely poor families from impoverished areas in Visayas and Mindanao. They come to Manila and other urban centers in order to avail of economic and educational opportunities.
Many of the victims are first-timers in the city, often with only a one-way ticket at hand. A significant number, almost one-third of profiled victims, do not have any money at all during travel. Majority of the victims have no information about their destination, work, and employers.
Back to Top
Who are the perpetrators? How do they lure their victims?
There are many actors involved in trafficking, from the point of origin, transit, and destinations. Aside from headhunters and recruiters, the trafficking and eventual exploitation of women and children are facilitated by intermediaries, document providers, transporters, employers, and to some extent, government officials who, wittingly or unwittingly, assist in keeping the shroud of invisibility covering trafficked victims intact.
These perpetrators capitalize on the hopes and aspirations of poor young women in order to lure them to exploitative and abusive employment.
Back to Top
What happens to victims of trafficking?
Trafficked victims are treated more as a commodity than as human beings. A large majority of victims of trafficking profiled by the Visayan Forum fall immediately into worst forms of labor like prostitution and domestic work. They suffer physical, mental, and emotional abuse. Since fares, recruiters' fee, and other expenses are deducted from the salaries of trafficked victims, they are subjected to conditions similar to bonded work. Their inability to adapt to the language and their unfamiliarity with the area precludes them from seeking assistance from authorities.
Back to Top
What are we doing to stop trafficking?
The Multi-Sectoral Network Against Trafficking in Persons (MSNAT) is a response by the Visayan Forum, civil society groups, shipping companies, church and other faith-based groups, and partner government agencies to the growing problem of trafficking. The MSNAT is committed to provide effective and immediate response mechanisms in the areas of prevention of trafficking, prosecution of offenders, and protection, rescue, recovery, and reintegration of trafficked persons. The MSNAT was borne out of a need to come up with concerted efforts from all concerned sectors and maximize their involvement in order to come up with quick and effective responses and, at the same time, develop long-term solutions to address the root cause of trafficking. The MSNAT is grounded on actual experiences generated from the implementation of cooperative efforts such as the Port Halfway House Program of the Visayan Forum, the PPA, and other partners from the port communities.
Back to Top
| 
