CHILD Protection & Rights > Child Protection Issues.

What is the impact of trafficking on children?
The impact of trafficking is both short and long term. Trafficking abrogates a child’s right to a healthy childhood and a productive, rewarding, dignified life. Child trafficking victims are subjugated and physically abused by the perpetrators: traffickers, employers, and ‘customers’. Trafficked children are often beaten and abused, and the violence occurs at all stages of the trafficking cycle. And, if they escape or are released, they are often denied the protections necessary to reintegrate them into society. It results in impacts that are physical, emotional and psychosocial.

- Physical impact
- All children trafficked, whatever the purpose is, are vulnerable to physical and sexual violence. They are deprived of food, beaten or drugged.
- Domestic workers, street children, child labourers and children in detention are vulnerable to rape and sexual exploitation, and are at high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.
- The dangerous and mistaken belief in some countries that sex with a virgin can cure HIV/AIDS has led to even higher demand for young girls.

- Emotional impact
- Children feel betrayed, especially if the perpetrator was someone they had trusted.
- They often have reported feelings of shame, guilt and low self- esteem and are frequently stigmatized.
- These factors as well as the experience itself, can cause nightmares, sleeplessness, feelings of hopelessness and depression. Some children who have been trafficked turn to substance abuse to numb their psychic pain, and others have attempted suicide.

- Psychosocial impact
- Children who are trafficked typically suffer adverse effects to their social and educational development. Many have no family life and are forced to work at young ages.
- Without access to school or family support, and cut off from normal social activities, they fail to develop their potential. Also, under constant surveillance and restriction, they have little contact with the outside world and often do not have the possibility to seek help.
- When they are victims of physical and emotional violence and abuse, the effects may be life-threatening and long term.
- Complete loss of trust in others, isolation, experimenting drug and alcohol are among the common effects on trafficked persons.

Ending trafficking requires to address factors which make children vulnerable.

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