Violence against women and girls

Human trafficking and modern slavery can affect adults and children. This page explains what these terms mean and links to more information about exploitation.

Human trafficking

Human trafficking can affect adults and children. Child trafficking is a form of child abuse.

Children may be recruited, transported or moved and then exploited. They may be forced to work or sold. Children can also experience more than one type of exploitation.

Trafficking of adults and children can happen anywhere.

Modern slavery

Modern slavery takes many forms, including trafficking.

If someone was coerced or deceived, or if consent was obtained through payment or benefit, any consent they gave is not valid.

Modern slavery can include:

• sexual exploitation
• domestic servitude
• forced labour
• criminal exploitation

More information

Read about exploitation of adults, including sexual exploitation, modern slavery and human trafficking.