In 2023, a total of ******* victims of human trafficking were identified worldwide, the highest figure recorded during the observed period and an increase of over ****** compared to the previous year. The number of identified victims has risen sharply over the past decade, reflecting a troubling global trend.

In 2022, the number of human trafficking cases per million population in India was ****. It was an increase compared to the values recorded a year before. In the last few years, the occurrence of this severe offense went down significantly.

Since 2004, a higher share of the victims of trafficking are men and children. While around ***** in **** of the victims in 2004 were women, the share had fallen to less than ** percent in 2022. By comparison, the share of victims who were men had increased by *** percentage points. Moreover, ** percent of the trafficking victims were children.

Despite public attention to the problem of human trafficking, it has proven difficult to measure the problem. Improving the quality of information about human trafficking is critical to developing sound anti-trafficking policy. In support of this effort, in 2013 the Federal Bureau of Investigation incorporated human trafficking offenses in the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Despite this achievement, there are many reasons to expect the UCR program to underreport human trafficking. Law enforcement agencies struggle to identify human trafficking and distinguishing it from other crimes. Additionally, human trafficking investigations may not be accurately classified in official data sources. Finally, human trafficking presents unique challenges to summary and incident-based crime reporting methods. For these reasons, it is important to understand how agencies identify and report human trafficking cases within the UCR program and what part of the population of human trafficking victims in a community are represented by UCR data. This study provides critical information to improve law enforcement identification and reporting of human trafficking. Coding criminal incidents investigated as human trafficking offenses in three US cities, supplemented by interviews with law and social service stakeholders in these locations, this study answers the following research questions: How are human trafficking cases identified and reported by the police? What sources of information about human trafficking exist outside of law enforcement data? What is the estimated disparity between actual instances of human trafficking and the number of human trafficking offenses reported to the UCR?

Counter-Human Trafficking Analytics Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the global Counter-Human Trafficking Analytics market size reached USD 1.43 billion in 2024, with a robust year-on-year growth underpinned by the increasing adoption of advanced analytics solutions in anti-trafficking operations. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.2% from 2025 to 2033, reaching a projected value of USD 5.05 billion by 2033. This significant expansion is primarily driven by the intensifying efforts of governments, law enforcement agencies, and private organizations worldwide to combat the pervasive and evolving threat of human trafficking through data-driven intelligence and analytics platforms.

One of the primary growth factors for the Counter-Human Trafficking Analytics market is the escalating sophistication and scale of human trafficking networks, which necessitate the deployment of advanced technological solutions for detection and prevention. Traffickers are increasingly leveraging digital platforms and encrypted communications, making traditional investigative methods insufficient. As a result, the demand for analytics software capable of processing vast amounts of structured and unstructured data, identifying suspicious patterns, and providing actionable intelligence has surged. This demand is further fueled by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and big data analytics, which significantly enhance the ability of stakeholders to uncover hidden connections and predict trafficking activities before they escalate.

Another significant driver propelling market growth is the rising collaboration among international organizations, government bodies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private sector entities. These partnerships are fostering the exchange of data, intelligence, and best practices, thereby creating a more unified front against human trafficking. Regulatory mandates and global conventions, such as the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, are compelling countries to invest in robust analytics infrastructures. Furthermore, funding initiatives and public-private partnerships are enabling the development and deployment of state-of-the-art analytics platforms tailored for diverse operational environments, from border control to financial monitoring.

Additionally, the proliferation of digital financial services and cross-border transactions has introduced new challenges and opportunities in the fight against human trafficking. Financial institutions are increasingly adopting analytics solutions to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and detect illicit fund flows associated with trafficking activities. The growing use of blockchain analytics, transaction monitoring, and predictive modeling in the financial sector is significantly contributing to the expansion of the Counter-Human Trafficking Analytics market. These advancements are complemented by increased awareness among stakeholders about the economic and social costs of trafficking, spurring further investment in analytics-driven prevention and intervention strategies.

From a regional perspective, North America continues to dominate the Counter-Human Trafficking Analytics market, accounting for the largest share in 2024 due to the presence of advanced technology infrastructure, strong regulatory frameworks, and proactive governmental initiatives. Europe follows closely, supported by stringent anti-trafficking laws and cross-border collaboration within the European Union. Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific region is witnessing the fastest growth, driven by escalating trafficking incidents, increasing digitalization, and rising investments in analytics solutions by both public and private sectors. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are also emerging as significant markets, propelled by international aid programs and growing recognition of the need for data-driven anti-trafficking measures.

Component Analysis

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In 2023, a total of ***** human traffickers were convicted worldwide, an increase of approximately ***** compared to the previous year. However, the number of convictions remains lower than levels recorded prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trafficking and exploitation for sex or labor affects millions of persons worldwide. To improve healthcare for these patients, in late 2018 new ICD-10 medical diagnosis codes were implemented in the US. These 13 codes include diagnosis of adult and child sexual exploitation, adult and child labor exploitation, and history of exploitation. Here we report on a database search of a large US health insurer that contained approximately 47.1 million patients and 0.9 million provider organizations, not limited to large medical systems. We reported on any diagnosis with the new codes between 2018-09-01 and 2022-09-01. The dataset was found to contain 5,262 instances of the ICD-10 codes. Regression analysis of the codes found a 5.8% increase in the uptake of these codes per year, representing a decline relative to 6.7% annual increase in the data. The codes were used by 1,810 different providers (0.19% of total) for 2,793 patients. Of the patients, 1,248 were recently trafficked, while the remainder had a personal history of exploitation. Of the recent cases, 86% experienced sexual exploitation, 14% labor exploitation and 0.8% both types. These patients were predominantly female (83%) with a median age of 20 (interquartile range: 15–35). The patients were characterized by persistently high prevalence of mental health conditions (including anxiety: 21%, post-traumatic stress disorder: 20%, major depression: 18%), sexually-transmitted infections, and high utilization of the emergency department (ED). The patients’ first report of trafficking occurred most often outside of a hospital or emergency setting (55%), primarily during office and psychiatric visits.

This paper investigates the impact of legalized prostitution on human trafficking inflows. According to economic theory, there are two opposing effects of unknown magnitude. The scale effect of legalized prostitution leads to an expansion of the prostitution market, increasing human trafficking, while the substitution effect reduces demand for trafficked women as legal prostitutes are favored over trafficked ones. Our empirical analysis for a cross-section of up to 150 countries shows that the scale effect dominates the substitution effect. On average, countries where prostitution is legal experience larger reported human trafficking inflows.

What is the Counter-Trafficking Data Collaborative?

The Counter-Trafficking Data Collaborative is the first global data hub on human trafficking, publishing harmonized data from counter-trafficking organizations around the world. Launched in November 2017, the goal of CTDC is to break down information-sharing barriers and equip the counter-trafficking community with up to date, reliable data on human trafficking.

The global victim of trafficking dataset

The CTDC global victim of trafficking dataset is the largest of its kind in the world, and currently exists in two forms. The data are based on case management data, gathered from identified cases of human trafficking, disaggregated at the level of the individual. The cases are recorded in a case management system during the provision of protection and assistance services, or are logged when individuals contact a counter-trafficking hotline. The number of observations in the dataset increases as new records are added by the contributing organizations. The global victim of trafficking dataset that is available to download from the website in csv format has been mathematically anonymized, and the complete, non k-anonymized version of the dataset is displayed throughout the website through visualizations and charts showing detailed analysis.

Where do the data come from?

The data come from a variety of sources. The data featured in the global victim of trafficking dataset come from the assistance activities of the contributing organizations, including from case management services and from counter-trafficking hotline logs.

How are the global datasets created?

Each dataset has been created through a process of comparing and harmonizing existing data models of contributing partners and data classification systems. Initial areas of compatibility were identified to create a unified system for organizing and mapping data to a single standard. Each contributing organization transforms its data to this shared standard and any identifying information is removed before the datasets are made available.

How is the individual-level data protected?

Step 1

Counter-trafficking case data contains highly sensitive information, and maintaining privacy and confidentiality is of paramount importance for CTDC. For example, all explicit identifiers, such as names, were removed from the global victim dataset and some data such as age has been transformed into age ranges. No personally identifying information is transferred to or hosted by CTDC, and organizations that want to contribute are asked to anonymize in accordance to the standards set by CTDC.

Step 2

In addition to the safeguard measures outlined in step 1 the global victim dataset has been anonymized to a higher level, through a mathematical approach called k-anonymization. For a full description of k-anonymization, please refer to the definitions page.

IOM collects and processes data in accordance to its own Data Protection Policy. The other contributors adhere to relevant national and international standards through their policies for collecting and processing personal data.

How to interpret the data?

These data reflect the victims assisted/identified/referred/reported to the contributing organizations, which may not represent all victims identified within a country. Nevertheless, the larger the sample size for a given country (or, the more victims displayed on the map for a given country), the more representative the data are likely to be of the identified victim of trafficking population.

A larger number of identified victims of trafficking does not imply that there is a larger number of undetected victims of trafficking (i.e. a higher prevalence of trafficking).

In addition, samples of identified victims of trafficking cannot be considered random samples of the wider population of victims of trafficking (which includes unidentified victims), since counter-trafficking agencies may be more likely to identify some trafficking cases rather than others. However, with this caveat in mind, the profile of identified victims of trafficking tends to be considered as indicative of the profile of the wider population, given that the availability of other data sources is close to zero.

How does human trafficking case data relate to prevalence data?

There are currently no global or regional estimates of the prevalence of human trafficking. National estimates have been conducted in a few countries but they are also based on modelling of existing administrative data from identified cases and should therefore only be considered as basic baseline estimates. Historically, producing estimates of the prevalence of trafficking based on the collection of new primary data through surveys, for example, has been difficult. This is due to trafficking’s complicated legal definition and the challenges of a...

Since 2004, the share of children among detected victims of human trafficking has increased. While ** percent of the victims were children in 2004, this had risen to ** percent by 2022. Moreover, the share of boys among the victims increased from only ***** percent in 2004 to ** percent in 2022.

Some existing human trafficking research examines how trafficking laws and regulations deter traffickers. This research, however, pays little attention to how states’ freedom of movement policies influences human trafficking. Existing policy debates suggest two possible effects. Europe’s experiences with open borders have led to claims that freedom of movement decreases the likelihood that traffickers are detected, thus making human trafficking in and out of states more likely. By contrast, movement restrictions could create an environment where people become more vulnerable to traffickers. We utilize data from 182 countries from 2001 to 2017 to test whether freedom of movement increases or decreases human trafficking flows. We find that it is necessary, theoretically and empirically, to consider freedom of foreign movement both locally and in a state’s neighborhood because freedom of movement increases human trafficking when the local and neighborhood practices diverge from each other.

Commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) is an increasingly urgent problem for criminal justice systems in the United States. Despite the staggering individual and societal consequences of CSE, evidence-based prevention and intervention programs are profoundly lacking. This study used a quasi-experimental, mixed methods, longitudinal follow-up design to evaluate a service provision program for CSE survivors or those identified as high-risk for CSE, My Life My Choice (MLMC). Researchers followed youth who received MLMC services from baseline to multiple follow-up points to see how they progressed over time in terms of building up resistance to being sexually exploited. Youth received one of two different type of MLMC services. One group (Source 1) received one-on-one survivor mentoring, otherwise known as "tertiary prevention." Participants in this program are paired with mentors who have been trained and free from CSE for at least five years. Mentors provide long-term and consistent emotional support to exploited youth or those MLMC believes are at high-risk for exploitation. The Source 1 youth were recruited only from Massachusetts. They participated in quantitative and qualitative data collection at baseline, six months post-baseline, and 12 months post-baseline. A second group (Source 2) received 3-10 sessions of a psychoeducational prevention group following the MLMC curriculum, otherwise known as "secondary prevention." These groups are led by trained facilitators and are intended for youth at high-risk for exploitation. Participants are taught about sexual exploitation, healthy relationships, sexual health, and how to find help. Source 2 youth received MLMC services in Massachusetts, Florida, New Jersey, or Connecticut. They participated in quantitative data collection at baseline, time of the last group session, and six months post-baseline. Measured outcomes included instances of sexual exploitation in the past six months, frequency and type of substance use, partner abuse victimization, and housing stability. Researchers hypothesized that, among the secondary prevention group, youth who chose to interact with MLMC staff more often (in terms of attending educational sessions) would score higher on desired outcomes than those frequently absent or who do not interact with staff as often. Among the tertiary prevention group, researchers hypothesized that those who participated would demonstrate improved outcomes from baseline to six months and baseline to 12 months.

These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they there received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except of the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompany readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collections and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.Validation data (Human Trafficking Data, n = 180) was collected through 180 structured interviews with victim service provider clients who responded to the screening tool. The screening tool was administered by the victim service providers at regular intakes or subsequent interview sessions between July 2012 and June 2013. Service providers were instructed to invite any potential trafficking victims, that is persons who may have been trafficked or subject to similar crimes, whom they judge to be emotionally stable enough to participate. Status as a trafficking victim did not have to be determined in advance of the interview, since a mix of trafficked and non-trafficked clients in the study sample was necessary to establish the validity and predictive ability of the screening tool.Researchers also conducted confidential case file reviews during site visits at partner agencies, and in-depth interviews with service providers (n = 12 from 11 agencies), clients (n = 7 from 6 agencies) and key informant interviews (n = 12) with law enforcement officers, prosecutors and probation officers.

Over the past few years Frontex has followed the EUtrend and given increasing priority to the issue of THB. The main role of Frontex with regard to trafficking in human beings is the identification of victims and traffickers during border control procedures. Frontex activities related to THB include the development of a training manual for border guards related to THB and a handbook for Border Control Authorities on good practices to deal with the phenomenon and the coordination of Joint Operations in which the issueof THB is one of the priorities, such as JO Agelaus 2010, Minerva 2011 and Indalo 2011. Particular relevance is placed on thedevelopment of risk profiles of potential third-country national victims of THB. This is the fifth such report, with the main aim of providing an overview of the current trafficking situation in the EU.

Measures administered to clients by time point.

Victim Services Case Management Platforms Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the global victim services case management platforms market size stood at USD 2.15 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 5.37 billion by 2033, expanding at a robust CAGR of 10.7% during the forecast period. The market’s growth is primarily driven by the increasing need to streamline case management processes, enhance service delivery for victims, and comply with evolving regulatory requirements. The adoption of digital platforms is accelerating as organizations across public and private sectors seek to improve efficiency, transparency, and data security in handling sensitive victim cases.

A significant growth factor for the victim services case management platforms market is the rising emphasis on digital transformation within government and non-profit agencies. As the volume and complexity of victim cases increase, traditional paper-based or fragmented digital systems are proving inadequate. Modern case management platforms offer centralized data storage, automated workflows, and secure communication channels, enabling agencies to manage cases more efficiently and deliver timely support to victims. Additionally, increased funding from governmental and international bodies for victim support programs is enabling organizations to invest in advanced case management solutions, further propelling market growth.

Another critical driver is the growing awareness and advocacy for victims’ rights, which is prompting organizations to enhance their service delivery models. The integration of analytics and reporting tools within these platforms facilitates better decision-making and resource allocation by providing real-time insights into case trends and service outcomes. This capability is particularly valuable for law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, and non-profits, who must demonstrate accountability and effectiveness in their operations. The ongoing shift towards cloud-based solutions is also making these platforms more accessible and scalable, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and organizations operating in resource-constrained environments.

Furthermore, the increasing incidences of domestic violence, human trafficking, and cybercrimes are escalating the demand for robust victim services case management platforms. These platforms help organizations coordinate multidisciplinary responses, track case progress, and ensure victims receive comprehensive support throughout the recovery process. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies is further enhancing platform capabilities, enabling predictive analytics and personalized service delivery. As data privacy regulations tighten globally, the need for platforms with advanced security features is becoming paramount, driving innovation and adoption in the market.

Regionally, North America dominates the victim services case management platforms market, accounting for more than 38% of the global revenue in 2024, driven by strong government initiatives, advanced IT infrastructure, and high awareness levels. Europe follows closely, benefiting from stringent data protection regulations and active non-profit sectors. The Asia Pacific region is poised for the fastest growth, with a projected CAGR of 13.2% through 2033, fueled by increasing digitalization initiatives, rising crime rates, and growing investments in public safety infrastructure. Meanwhile, Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are gradually adopting these platforms, supported by international aid and growing awareness of victim support needs.

Component Analysis

The component segment of the victim services case management platforms market is bifurcated into software and services. The software sub-segment holds the largest share, contributing over 65% of the

To increase understanding of the prosecution of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth (CSEC) offenders, the Urban Institute, a non-partisan social and economic policy research organization, along with Polaris Project, an anti-human trafficking organization based in the United States and Japan, were awarded a cooperative agreement from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) to conduct a 12-month study on CSEC in the United States. The purpose of this research was to conduct a national analysis of federal prosecutions of CSEC-related cases from 1998 through 2005, in order to answer the following four research questions: Is the United States enforcing existing federal laws related to CSEC? What are key features of successfully prosecuted CSEC cases? What factors predict convictions in cases? What factors predict sentence length? Have the U.S. courts increased penalties associated with sexual crimes against children? What, if any, are the effects of CSEC legislation on service providers who work with these victims? The data collection includes three datasets: (Dataset 1) Base Cohort File with 7,696 cases for 50 variables, (Dataset 2) Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Defendants in cases filed in U.S. Court with 7,696 cases for 100 variables, and (Dataset 3) Suspects in Criminal Matters Investigated and Concluded by U.S. Attorneys Dataset with 13,819 cases for 14 variables.

Dear Partners, This month, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) observed World Day Against Child Labor by spotlighting and encouraging those, who could, to join the Within and Beyond Our Borders: Collective Action to Address Hazardous Child Labor organized by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on June 12, 2023. If you missed it, or would like to rewatch it, you can find it here . Since 2018, the DOL has seen a 69 percent increase in children being employed illegally by companies. In the last fiscal year, the department found that 835 companies it investigated had employed more than 3,800 children in violation of labor laws. There has been a 26 percent increase in children employed in hazardous occupations. These numbers tell us that we have work to do as the human services sector to learn more and become engaged in preventing unlawful child labor and supporting youth. As I have said before, child labor exploitation can disrupt a youth’s health, safety, education, and overall well-being, which are unacceptable consequences for any child. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) supports a broad network of resources for vulnerable youth. We know that migrant and immigrant youth are especially vulnerable to exploitation, and it is often youth in or exiting the child welfare system who are targeted for various forms of exploitation. Child labor exploitation can impact children and youth across demographics. On March 24, 2023, the DOL and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a Memorandum of Agreement - PDF to advance ongoing efforts to address child labor exploitation. In addition, DOL and HHS are collaborating on training and educational materials. As we expand this work, we know how important our partners throughout the country are in this effort. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is committed to addressing the increased presence of child labor exploitation through a variety of actions including equipping partners with materials and educational resources to build knowledge about child labor laws and rights, and remedies. This information is important for our human services sector and the children and families who may be most at risk. Please join ACF in increasing awareness and distributing resources to address child labor exploitation including the following: ACF resources may be also useful when working with a youth who has concerns about their safety. This includes the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB)’s program on Runaway and Homeless Youth which provides a hotline for youth, concerned adults, and providers to access resources. At, www.1800runaway.org , their 24/7 crisis connection allows for calls, texts, live chat, and email to get information and resources. In addition, ACF’s Office of Trafficking In-Persons (OTIP) is an important resource for identifying and supporting survivors of trafficking. The National Human Trafficking Hotline provides a 24/7, confidential, multilingual hotline for victims, survivors, and witnesses of human trafficking. While labor exploitation should not be conflated with labor trafficking, in some cases labor exploitation may rise to meet the legal definitions of trafficking. The OTIP website contains many resources for grantees and communities on labor trafficking. Again, I hope you will continue to build awareness for yourself, your organization, or your community on child labor exploitation. It takes a whole community effort to support our children and youth. Most sincerely, January Contreras Metadata-only record linking to the original dataset. Open original dataset below.

South Africa's continues to struggle with human trafficking; however, improvements have been observed as the country has been upgraded from its position on the tier two level watch list to level tier two in 2024 according to the U.S. Agency for International Development. The country has been reported as a hub for human trafficking as it is not only a host for human trafficking, but also facilitates sourcing victims and transferring them to other countries. The South African Police Services (SAPS) have discovered that some human trafficking cases are related to the ****** kidnappings particularly in the provinces of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Additionally, SAPS have identified a possible link between human trafficking and missing persons in the country, however, further investigation is required.
Regional context and victim demographics Over the years, human trafficking has evolved into a broader regional concern. Girls and women are overly affected by human trafficking in Sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for ** percent and ** percent of detected victims respectively as of 2020. This trend extends to Southern Africa, where ** percent of sex-trafficking victims between 2003 and 2023 were women and ** percent of victims aged 30–38 years, which accentuates the gendered nature of human trafficking in the region. Traffickers primarily target those from disadvantaged backgrounds and often lure unsuspecting victims through fake job advertisements for domestic work, mining, hospitality, and modeling. Continental perspective and neighboring nations Within the African continent, the severity of human trafficking varies significantly. Modern-day slavery is particularly rife in Nigeria, with an estimated *** million people living as modern slaves. Human trafficking often leads to modern-day slavery as individuals are exploited and unable to leave due to threats, coercion or violence. In East Africa, Eritrea is one of three countries in the region classified as tier three, indicating the most severe level of human trafficking concerns. The prevalence of child sex trafficking in East Africa is particularly alarming, with ** percent of sex-trafficking victims being minors. This continental overview highlights the complex and widespread nature of human trafficking across Africa, emphasizing the need for coordinated governmental efforts to address this critical issue.

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International, in partnership with MD Consulting, conducted a researcher-survivor-ally participatory process evaluation of the Task Force on Anti-Human Trafficking in San Francisco. The purpose of the Task Force is to review current efforts to improve the city's response to human trafficking and identify gaps in services for survivors. Participants include representatives from social service organizations, law enforcement, community-based organizations, philanthropic and advocacy groups, and concerned citizens. This study included an integrated, multi-level approach of community involvement. People who have experienced a severe form of human trafficking are represented at all levels of the research process, including that of co-principal investigator (co-PI), research assistants (RAs) and members of the Community Advisory Board (CAB). The goals of this evaluation were to evaluate components of task force implementation through a comprehensive process evaluation, conduct a secondary analysis of law enforcement data, and create a research infrastructure that supports the intellectual and career development of people who have experienced trafficking.