Out of the Shadows: Addressing the Dynamics of Trafficking in Persons Belonging to Minorities, including National Minorities

This occasional paper explores the increased risks of trafficking in human beings (THB) faced by persons belonging minorities, including national minorities. Poverty, social exclusion, previous experience of other forms of violence such as sexual abuse or domestic violence, prior involvement in the juvenile justice or child welfare system, lack of access to education, employment, and housing are factors of vulnerability that traffickers exploit. The report also highlights the impact of racial or ethnic discrimination on the response to THB itself, which leads to barriers to victim services and access to justice. The misconceived notion that non-discrimination requires everyone to be treated exactly the same can result in policies which fail to account for specific vulnerabilities, thereby hampering authorities’ ability to identify and assist victims of trafficking belonging to minorities. It therefore provides a basis for discussion about potential methods and tools to address and mitigate these increased risks and identification and protection gaps. The report also emphasizes the need for greater attention and action to better protect minority victims of THB, encouraging a society- and system-wide approach.