Infant trafficking is a horrifying reality that preys on the most vulnerable members of our society. This issue is compounded by two significant challenges: Substantial obstacles in identifying trafficked infants and a lack of accessible, specialised services for child victims. Addressing this crisis requires examining these barriers and considering innovative, trauma-informed approaches that prioritise the safety and development of young victims.
The exploitation of children takes various forms, including sexual exploitation, labour trafficking, forced marriage, and organ harvesting. Infants, in particular, are susceptible to trafficking for illegal adoptions, exploitative labour, and even ‘baby harvesting’ for organs. The demand for infants fuels the growth of ‘baby factories’, illicit institutions where young women are forced to give birth to sell their children. The lack of identity documentation for these children coupled with a tendency for these operations to hide under the guise of legitimate institutions, isolates these children and makes trafficking even harder to detect.
One of the most significant obstacles in combating infant trafficking is the difficulty in identifying victims. Infants cannot alert others to their situation, and traffickers exploit this, making it a largely hidden crime. Additionally, cultural norms such as informal fostering practices can be manipulated to mask trafficking operations. This, combined with inconsistencies in legal definitions of trafficking and age classifications for children creates ambiguity that further hinders identification efforts. Healthcare workers, social workers, law enforcement, and other professionals also play a part in identifying children in need of support. However, outdated or lack of child-specific screening protocols, lack of training, and misconceptions about trafficking, such as the assumption it always involves physical force, can result in children being misidentified as undocumented migrants or criminals, leading to stigmatisation and missed opportunities for rescue.
Trafficked children endure malnutrition, physical injuries, abuse, and mental health problems such as PTSD and suicidal ideation, often experiencing delays in cognitive, social, and emotional development. Despite these significant needs, there is a notable lack of specialised support services for trafficked infants and children. Many existing shelters and programmes are not equipped to address the unique needs of child trafficking survivors. Limiting factors such as funding shortages and minimal collaboration across support agencies prevent children from accessing rights-based, child-centred, and trauma-informed care services that provide long-term support and safe, nurturing environments. Children who go undetected or do not gain access to care services are at increased risk of re-trafficking and continued exploitation.
Combating infant trafficking requires a multifaceted approach. We need increased awareness among professionals who interact with children, clear referral pathways, stronger legislation and enforcement, improved identification and screening protocols, and expanded access to specialised support services tailored to children and infants’ unique needs. Investing in research and data collection surrounding trafficking promotes evidence-based interventions, and better ways of identifying emerging trends, empowering survivors, and measuring service effectiveness.
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