Northeastern researcher exposes child labor trafficking as a hidden crime after investigating 132 victims

Children Trafficked for Labor: A Study on Vulnerability and Exploitation

Children trafficked for their labor often work in public view in restaurants, laundromats, agricultural fields, and water parks, but little has been known about their plight.

Insights from a New Study

A new study, led by Northeastern University professor Amy Farrell, sheds light on the victims and perpetrators of child labor trafficking in the United States. The study provides insights about these children, those who traffic them, and what makes children vulnerable to dangerous work.

Professor Amy Farrell, the director of Northeastern’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, answered questions about the research findings and recommendations for a better future for trafficked children.

The Average Age and Work Locations of Victims

The research reveals that the average age of victims studied was 14. The study found that trafficked children work in various industries, including:

• Roofing
• Landscaping
• Dentists’ offices
• Storage facilities
• Restaurants
• Agriculture and poultry farms
• Waterparks
• Hotels
• Private homes for child care and domestic labor

There is also a subset of labor called forced criminality, where children are trafficked for illicit activities such as panhandling, organized theft, and drug cultivation, packing, and distribution.

It is important to note that child labor trafficking is often overshadowed by public awareness of sex trafficking, despite the fact that it constitutes a significant portion of human trafficking cases.

American and Foreign-Born Children Vulnerability

The study found that 42% of the child victims were American, challenging the perception that child labor trafficking is solely a migrant issue. Poverty and housing instability were identified as major factors contributing to the vulnerability of both U.S. and foreign-born children.

Many minors engage in labor to support their families or due to homelessness. In some cases, parents or guardians exploit their own children by involving them in family businesses or domestic labor. Unaccompanied minors sponsored by individuals or households also face economic pressure that forces them into jobs instead of pursuing education.

Motivations of Child Labor Traffickers

Child labor traffickers are primarily motivated by extracting money from their victims. These children are often considered disposable, and their well-being is not a priority. They are expected to work until they escape, get injured, or get arrested. The ease of replacing them makes it unlikely for traffickers to provide medical care if they are hurt.

Challenges in Leaving Trafficking Situations

Children who manage to leave trafficking situations often do so with nothing but debt to smugglers or others who have exploited them. They remain vulnerable to abuse and re-trafficking even after escaping. The study highlights a case where a teenager from Guatemala avoided exploitation on an egg farm but was later trafficked to a woodworking factory by someone who initially appeared to be a good Samaritan.

Defining Child Labor Trafficking Violations

Labor abuses become child labor trafficking crimes when a person is coerced, defrauded, or forced into labor. Unlike sex trafficking, child labor trafficking requires proving force, fraud, and coercion for children under the age of 18. The study emphasizes that coercion is prevalent in situations where adults provide basic needs or emotional support to children.

Trends in Child Labor Trafficking

The study acknowledges the lack of comprehensive data on child labor trafficking trends over time. However, it highlights the current migration crisis in Boston, where families face economic need and housing insecurity, creating an environment ripe for exploitation of both adults and minors.

Actions to Combat Child Labor Trafficking

The study does not advocate for a complete ban on child labor but emphasizes the importance of ensuring that children work in safe environments. Recommendations include:

• Assuming coercion if there is an adult involved in a violation of labor standards
• Increasing attention to labor abuse in young people’s workplaces
• Involving inspectors and regulators in identifying child labor violations
• Providing resources to legal advocates and worker rights organizations
• Expanding vocational programs for teenagers to develop valuable skills in safe employment
• Funding alternative housing for minors to reduce their vulnerability to illegal employment

Importance of Strengthening Child Labor Protections

The study highlights the need for developmentally appropriate opportunities for young people to work. However, it cautions against allowing children to engage in dangerous jobs that interfere with their education and put their well-being at risk. Economic need and housing insecurity should be addressed through safety nets that prevent children from laboring in exploitative situations.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
   • Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group (relevant for child labor trafficking).

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population (relevant for child labor trafficking).

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   • Under SDG 8, the specific target is Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
   • Under SDG 16, the specific target is Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   • For SDG 8, the relevant indicator is Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age group. The article mentions child labor trafficking as a form of forced labor involving children.
   • For SDG 16, the relevant indicator is Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population. The article discusses child labor trafficking as a form of human trafficking.

Based on the analysis of the article, the following table presents the findings:

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Source: news.northeastern.edu

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