Breaking the Silence for Boys
The perception that men are mainly perpetrators, and females are victims, creates an environment where male human trafficking has traditionally been unseen and underreported. Human trafficking, is however, not a women’s issue. According to the U.S. Department of State and the Office to Combat Human Trafficking in Persons, “boys represent the fastest-growing segment of identified human trafficking victims. UNODC’s 2022 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, released in January 2023, notes that the percentage of trafficking victims who are boys and girls is almost identical (17 percent and 18 percent, respectively)”.
With these numbers in mind, there is not enough public awareness regarding the real threats that men face. Human trafficking not only involves sex trafficking but also labor trafficking or forced labor. Male victims are ideal for this type of trafficking due to their physical abilities, and they often do not draw the same attention as a woman would in a labor environment. In fact, according to the 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report, of the 527 foreign national adults certified in FY 2021, 14 percent were sex trafficking victims, 68 percent were labor trafficking victims, and 16 percent were victims of both sex and labor trafficking. Similar statistics also play out globally, further underscoring the fact that more are trapped in forced labor.
Feedback from male victims shows that males are less likely to seek assistance as victims of trafficking due to shame and the stigma of cultural norms or gender expectations. The world has trouble seeing men and boys as victims at all, yet they suffer from the same trauma, the same exploitation and the same victimization. In addition, the same life experiences that expose women and girls to trafficking, also apply to men and boys. If they experience poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, are exposed to violence, have adverse childhood experiences, are sextorted, or suffer other social health detriments, this provides an opportunity for traffickers to target and take advantage of men and boys.
At the GCWJ, we stand against human trafficking for all individuals. We are committed to our mission to research, educate, advocate and collaborate with others to bring light to the plight of both women and men when it comes to all forms of trafficking. Male victims face unique challenges in accessing assistance in building a future after trafficking. More support, recognition, services and awareness need to be present to provide our fathers, brothers, and sons with hope for their future. We can study the issues, be a voice, and make a difference.
Whether male or female, if you think someone may be a victim of trafficking, please contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or text 233733.