trafficked

Trafficked is the past participle of traffic and is commonly used to describe people who have been subjected to trafficking, especially for exploitation. In contemporary usage, it often refers to individuals who were recruited, transported, or harbored through coercion, deception, or abuse for purposes such as forced labor or commercial sex. The term can also appear in broader discussions of illegal movement of people, though its strongest connotation today is exploitation of persons.

Human trafficking, as defined in international law, involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons through force, fraud, or coercion for an exploitative purpose. Exploitation can include forced labor, prostitution or sexual exploitation, slavery-like practices, or the removal of organs. Victims may be adults or children and may be trafficked within a single country or across borders. The crime often involves multiple stages, including recruitment, transportation, and exploitation, sometimes with the cooperation of others.

Legal and policy frameworks address trafficking at international, regional, and national levels. The UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons (Palermo Protocol) established a widely used definition and framework for action. National laws, such as the United States’ Trafficking Victims Protection Act and the United Kingdom’s Modern Slavery Act, seek to criminalize trafficking, protect victims, and provide avenues for assistance and prosecution. Data on prevalence are limited by underreporting and fear of retaliation, making survivor-centered approaches and safe reporting channels important components of response.

Related topics include modern slavery, forced labor, exploitation, domestic servitude, and sex trafficking. The term “trafficked” underscores coercion and abuse rather than voluntary migration.