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Trafficking of children is a form of human trafficking; it is defined as the "recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, and/or receipt” of a child for the purpose of exploitation. Though statistics regarding the magnitude of child trafficking are difficult to obtain, the International Labour Organization estimates that 1.2 million children are trafficked each year. The trafficking of children has been internationally recognized as a major human rights violation, one that is exists in every region of the world. Yet, it is only within the past decade that the prevalence and ramifications of this practice have risen to international prominence, due to a dramatic increase in research and public action.  Major international documents regarding child trafficking include the 1989 U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, the 1999 I.L.O Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, and the 2000 U.N. Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children.

Research concerning child trafficking has also been undertaken from several angles, including "trafficking in the context of labour migration and exploitation," "trafficking as a worst form of child labour," and "trafficking as a criminal act and issue of national security." A variety of potential solutions have been suggested and implemented which can be categorized as one of four types of actions: broad protection - "to prevent children and former victims from being re-trafficked"; prevention - "of the crime of child trafficking and the exploitation that is its result"; law enforcement - "in particular within a labour context and relating to labour laws and regulations"; and victim assistance - "covering the kinds of responses necessary to help trafficked children and to reduce their vulnerability to being re-trafficked."

Ultimately, a comprehensive understanding of child trafficking requires an accurate understanding of all of its major components, which include definitions, types, mechanisms, prevalence, impacts, and solutions.

Defining child trafficking
The first major international publication concerning child trafficking is part of the 2000 United Nations Palermo protocols, titled the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children. Article 3(a) of this document defines child trafficking as the “recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring and/or receipt” of a child for the purpose of exploitation. The definition for child trafficking given here applies only to cases of trafficking that are transnational and/or involve organized criminal groups; in spite of this, child trafficking is now frequently internationally recognized well outside of these parameters. The International Labour Organization expands on this definition by asserting that movement and exploitation are key aspects of child trafficking. The definition of "child" used here is that listed in the 1989 U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child which states, "a child means every human being below the age of 18 years, unless, under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier." The distinction outlined in this definition is important, because some countries have chosen to set the "age of majority" lower than 18, thus influencing exactly what practices legally constitute child trafficking.

Related legal instruments
Many international, regional, and national instruments have been implemented that relate to and affect the practice of child trafficking. They are called by a variety of terms, including conventions, protocols, memorandums, joint actions, recommendations, and declarations. The most significant tools are listed below:

Rights of the child

 * U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989

Labour and migration treaties

 * I.L.O. Minimum Age Convention, 1973
 * I.L.O Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999
 * I.L.O. Worst Forms of Child Labour Recommendation No. 190, 1999
 * I.L.O. Forced Labor Convention, 1930
 * I.L.O. Migrant Workers Convention (Revised), 1949
 * United Nations Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, 1990

Trafficking-specific instruments

 * Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, 2000
 * The Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking, 2002

Regional instruments
A variety of regional instruments have also been developed to guide countries in decisions regarding child trafficking. Below are some of the major instruments, though many others exist:
 * Council of Europe Convention on action against trafficking in human beings (Treaty series No. 197), 2005
 * Communication to the European Parliament and the Council COM(2005) 514 Final
 * Multilateral cooperation agreement to combat trafficking in persons, especially women and children, in West and Central Africa, 2006
 * Mekong subregional cooperation agreement to fight human trafficking (COMMIT), 2004

National law
National laws pertaining to child trafficking continue to develop worldwide, based on the international principles that have been put forth. Anti-trafficking legislation is critical, so that traffickers and trafficking victims are treated accordingly - "for example, if migration laws are used to pursue traffickers, it is often the case that the victims too are prosecuted as illegal migrants, whereas if there is a specific category of ‘trafficker’ and ‘trafficked person,’ then it is more likely that the victim will be treated as such." The existence of national laws regarding child trafficking also enables trafficking victims and/or their families to take civil action.

Forced labour
Forced labour is closely tied to child trafficking, in that it involves children being used intentionally for exploitation. In fact, the end goal of child trafficking is often forced labour. Forced child labour refers specifically to children used for labour who are under the stipulated minimum age, usually 14 at the lowest. (see The I.L.O. Minimum Age Convention, 1973). In spite of this, UNICEF estimates that in 2011, 150 million children aged 5-14 in developing countries were involved in child labour. Within this number, there are an estimated 115 million children engaged in hazardous work, such as the sex or drug trade. (see Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention). Other forms of forced child labor include domestic servitude, exploitation in agriculture, service, or manufacturing industries, sexual exploitation, use of children in the armed forces or drug trades, and child begging. Globally, research by the International Labour Organization indicates that child labour is slowly declining in every region of the world except sub-Saharan Africa, where 1 in 4 children aged 5-17 work.

Sexual exploitation
The Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography is a protocol of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, formally adopted by the United Nations in 2000. Essentially, this protocol requires states to prohibit the sale of children, child prostitution, and child pornography. According to the International Labour Organization, sexual exploitation of children includes all of the following: Though measuring the extent of this practice is difficult, the International Labour Organization estimates that there are as many as 1.8 million children sexually trafficked worldwide, while UNICEF's 2006 State of the World's Children Report estimates that there are 2 million children enslaved in the global sex trade. Other research indicates that girls involved in other forms of child labour - such as domestic service or street vending - are at the highest risk of being pulled into commercial child sex trafficking. A variety of sources also contend that the increased use and availability of the Internet has served as a major resource for traffickers, increasing the incidence of child sex trafficking. In fact, in 2009, Illinois Sheriff Thomas J. Dart sued the owners of Craigslist, an online classifieds website, for its "allowance" and "facilitation" of prostitution, particularly in children. Since then, Craigslist has blocked access to its "Adult Services" section.
 * "The use of girls and boys in sexual activities remunerated in cash or in kind (commonly known as child prostitution) in the streets or indoors, in such places as brothels, discotheques, massage parlours, bars, hotels, restaurants, etc."
 * "The trafficking of girls and boys and adolescents for the sex trade"
 * "Child sex tourism"
 * "The production, promotion and distribution of pornography involving children"
 * "The use of children in sex shows (public or private)"

Children in armed forces
The Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict is a protocol of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, formally adopted by the United Nations in 2000. Essentially, the protocol states that while volunteers below the age of 18 can be accepted in the armed forces, they cannot be conscripted. As the Protocol reads, "State parties shall take all feasible measures to ensure that member of their armed forces who have not attained the age of 18 years do not take a direct part in hostilities." Despite this, the International Labour Organization estimates that "tens of thousands of girls and boys find themselves fighting adult wars in at least 17 countries in different regions around the world." In most cases, children are forcefully recruited, or trafficked, into armed forces, where they then serve either as fighters or in supporting roles (cooks, spies, messengers, etc.). The incidence of child soldiers has become especially relevant following the Kony 2012 movement, which aims to arrest Joseph Kony, a Ugandan war criminal who is responsible for the existence of thousands of child sex slaves and soldiers.

Children in drug trades
Children are also used in drug trades in various parts of the world. Specifically, children are often trafficked into exploitation as either drug couriers or dealers, and then 'paid' in drugs, such that they become addicted and further entrapped. While comprehensive statistics regarding the prevalence of this practice are unknown, several regional studies have been done. For example, Afghan children have recently been shown to be engaged in heroin trade with Iran, and, for years, children have been involved in drug trades in Brazil.

Child selling
EDIT EXISTING CONTENT

Child begging
TO BE ADDED BY ASHLIN ORR

Mechanisms
Child trafficking takes place in three stages: recruitment, movement, and exploitation. First, recruitment occurs when a child is approached by a recruiter, or in some cases, directly approaches a recruiter. Recruitment takes place in many different ways: adolescents may be under pressure to contribute to their families, children may be kidnapped or abducted into trafficking, or families may be trafficked together. Then, movement will occur, either within or across national borders, and through a variety of mechanisms, including car, train, boat, and by foot. Ultimately, the final goal of child trafficking is exploitation, which includes forced labor, sexual exploitation, and child begging, among other practices.

Child trafficking is also often described using the economic model of supply and demand. Specifically, those who are trafficked constitute the "supply," while the traffickers, and those who profit from the exploitation provide the "demand." Two types of demand are defined. Consumer demand is generated by people who actively or passively buy the products or services of trafficked labor. An example of this would be a tourist purchasing a t-shirt that has been made by a trafficked child. Derived demand, on the other hand, is generated by people who directly profit from the practice of trafficking, such as pimps or corrupt factory owners. National governments can have a major impact on reducing both types of demand, by implementing policies that prohibit all forms of trafficking.

Research has also linked child trafficking to poverty and gender inequalities.

Prevalence
It is difficult to obtain reliable estimates concerning the number of children trafficked each year, primarily due to the "criminal" and "hidden" nature of this practice. It often takes years to gather and compile estimates regarding child trafficking and as a result, data can seem outdated. This is only complicated by the fact that very few countries publish national estimates of child trafficking. As a result, the available statistics are thought to underestimate the actual scope of the problem.

Worldwide
The International Labour Organization estimates that 1.2 million children are trafficked each year; this estimate includes cross-border and internal trafficking.

Regional
Regionally, the International Labour Organization has provided the following estimates for trafficking of children by region per year:
 * Asia/Pacific: 250,000
 * Latin America + Caribbean: 550,000
 * Africa: 200,000
 * Transition economies: 200,000
 * Developed/industrialized economies: n/a

The United States Department of State also publishes an annual "Trafficking in Persons" report which provides ample data regarding human and child trafficking in specific countries.

Children and families
Child trafficking has the most significant impact on trafficked children and their families. First, trafficking can result in the death or permanent injury of the trafficked child. This can stem from a dangerous "movement" stage of trafficking, or from specific aspects of the "exploitation" stage, such as hazardous working conditions. Moreover, trafficked children may be denied access to healthcare, effectively increasing their chances of serious injury and death. Trafficked children are also often subject to domestic violence; they may be beaten or starved in order to ensure obedience. In addition, these children frequently encounter substance abuse; they may be given drugs as "payment" or to ensure that they become addicted, and thus dependent on their trafficker(s). Finally, the impacts on children are psychological as well as physical; trafficked children are often trapped by feelings of fear, isolation, and desperation, resulting in depression and potential suicide attempts. Effects on families are also severe. Some families believe that sending or allowing their child to relocate in order to find work will bring in additional income, while in reality many families will never see their trafficked child again.

Communities
Child trafficking has also been shown to have a major effect on communities. If multiple children in a community are trafficked, it can result in the entire community being corrupted, and thus devastated, by trafficking. Social development efforts are hindered, as trafficked children's educations are cut short. As a result of this lack of education, children are less able to secure employment later in life. In addition, trafficked girls face special obstacles, in that their prospects for marriage might be diminished if the community knows they have been trafficked, particularly into sexual exploitation.

Nations
On a national level, economic development is hindered by the lack of education of trafficked children, and also because potentially productive future workers are lost to the economy. Children who do successfully return to their families are often a financial burden, due to their lack of education, and the illnesses and injuries they may have incurred in trafficking work. There are major costs associated with the rehabilitation of these trafficked children, so that they are able to successfully participate in their communities.

Proposed solutions
Solutions to child trafficking, or "anti-trafficking actions" can be roughly classified into four categories:
 * Broad protection: "To prevent children and former victims from being (re)trafficked"
 * Prevention: "Of the crime of child trafficking and the exploitation that is its end result"
 * Law enforcement: "In particular within a labour context and relating to labour laws and regulations"
 * Victim assistance: "Covering the kinds of responses necessary to help trafficked children and to reduce their vulnerability to being re-trafficked"

Broad protection actions are geared towards children who could potentially be trafficked, and include including raising awareness about child trafficking, particularly in vulnerable communities. This type of outreach also includes policies geared towards improving the economic statuses of vulnerable families, so that reasonable alternatives are available to them other than sending their child to work. Examples of this include increasing employment opportunities for adults, and conditional cash transfer programs. Another major broad protection program that has been readily endorsed by various international agencies and scholars is enhancing boys' and girls' access to affordable, quality education.

Prevention actions are more focused on addressing the actual problem of trafficking. This can be done by developing and implementing a legal framework that appropriately prosecutes traffickers. It is also crucial to enforce international labour standards as provided by the International Labour Organization, as well as safe and legal migration practices.

Law enforcement refers to the actual prosecution of traffickers; successful prosecution of child traffickers is the surest way to send a message that child trafficking will not be tolerated. Traffickers can be "caught" at any one of the three steps of trafficking: recruitment, movement, and/or exploitation. Accordingly, anti-trafficking laws as well as child labour laws must be appropriately enforced. The development of grassroots "surveillance" systems has also been suggested, which would enable communities to immediately report signs of child trafficking to legal authorities.

Victim assistance begins first with victim identification; child trafficking laws must specifically define the "trafficking victim." Legal processes must then be in place for removing children from trafficking situations, and returning them either to their families or other appropriate settings. Then, programs should be developed to provide victims with individualized and supportive physical and psychological rehabilitation. Finally, steps should be taken to avoid "double victimization" - in other words, to ensure that formerly trafficked children are treated as victims, and not as criminals. An example of this would be a child who was illegally trafficked into sexual exploitation in the United States, and then, once free from trafficking, is prosecuted for being an illegal migrant.

Relevant organizations
Many organizations have proposed potential solutions to child trafficking. These organizations continue to conduct research concerning this practice, and policies that can be implemented to work towards its eradication. The most internationally recognized of these organizations include:
 * United Nations
 * UNICEF
 * Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
 * United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT)
 * International Labour Organization
 * United States Department of State