Family members are linked to nearly half of all identified cases of child trafficking, new data released on Tuesday by the UN Migration Agency, IOM, has revealed.

It finds that family involvement in this crime is up to four times higher than in incidents of adult trafficking.

Dianne Penn reports.

The statistics are based on information about nearly 12,000 survivors of trafficking.

They were collected by a portal known as the Counter-Trafficking Data Collaborative (CTDC) which publishes information from various organizations.

IOM said the data suggests greater need for more prevention efforts that target children and their families.

Children are most commonly trafficked into forced sexual exploitation, begging, and domestic work.

The data also shows that they are most likely to be coerced into trafficking through physical, sexual and psychological abuse.

Adult trafficking victims, on the other hand, are more likely to be controlled through having their documents confiscated, or having someone exploit their irregular status in a foreign country.

IOM is urging governments and other partners to step-up actions that counter child trafficking such as helping heads of households to make better long-term plans for their families which also respect children's rights.

Children also should be taught to address their own vulnerabilities, including how to identify potentially dangerous or exploitative situations and “unhealthy” relationships.

Dianne Penn, United Nations.

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