New York, N.Y. — Children make up almost four in 10 victims of trafficking worldwide, but the true number of youngsters caught up in the illegal practice is likely much higher, a senior U.N. official warned on Wednesday.
In a new report, Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, who’s the Special Representative of the U.N. Secretary-General on violence against children, said that traffickers are quick to exploit technological advancements – and people in emergencies.
She said that children – mainly girls – are increasingly vulnerable, as poverty, food insecurity, humanitarian crises and conflict lead to displacement and violence, which are among the main drivers of illegal trafficking.
“Conviction for trafficking in children remain low and perpetrator continue to enjoy impunity, corruption, stigma, fear and the lack of protection limits children’s ability to report and seek justice,” she told the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Highly profitable crime
“As a result, trafficking in children remains a low cost and low risk, yet high profits crime, generating billions of dollars annually.”
Dr. Maalla M’jid warned that trafficking networks are growing alarmingly and are increasingly well organised.
She said that criminal ringleaders now use artificial intelligence to lower their overheads and reduce the likelihood of detection.
The senior UN official also noted that the demand for exploitative services involving children is increasing, from sexual exploitation, domestic slavery, child marriage, recruitment into armed groups, forced begging and criminal activities.
The U.N. Special Representative for children caught up in conflict, Virginia Gamba, told the Council that more than one in six children worldwide are living in conflict zones.
She called on all states to produce policies which allow every child to be shielded from harm so they can grow up in a peaceful environment.
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