The global problem of human trafficking is a modern day manifestation of slavery and servitude, and involves the use of force, fraud or coercion to exploit a person for profit. Trafficking is becoming one of the most lucrative transnational crimes after the illicit trade in drugs and arms, affecting anywhere from 12.3 million to 27 million victims around the world at any given time.* Each year thousands of persons are trafficked across borders, while many more are trafficked within their own countries. Victims of trafficking are often vulnerable and targeted due to their gender, poverty, and lack of social and political power, preyed upon with the promise of a better life. Those living in conflict and post-conflict situations find themselves especially vulnerable to human trafficking due to the rise in crime and the breakdown in law and order resulting in impunity for perpetrators. Victims are exploited for labor or sex work or both, and the majority are women and girls trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation.

(*U.S. Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (2008), Trafficking in Persons Report)

Heartland Alliance offers support to victims of trafficking through its work on the following projects:

• Regional Protection for Iraq Victims of Sex Trafficking in Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon
• Gender-Based Violence Prevention in Iraq
• Mediating to Prevent Violence against Women in Iraqi IDP Camps in Iraq
• Combating Human Trafficking of Children in Haiti