TRAFFICKING IN HUMAN BEINGS

Besides human trafficking into sexual exploitation (forced prostitution), persons are exploited in other areas, too.

In 2005 the statutory offence of human trafficking was extended. The two legal norms, §180 and §181 (German Penal Code) became 3 new norms §§ 232, 233 and 233a (German Penal Code).

A distinction is now made between human trafficking into sexual exploitation and human trafficking into labour exploitation. According to estimates of the International Labour Organization (ILO), at least 12.3 million people worldwide are victims of forced labour.

About 1.1 million of them are victims of human trafficking into labour exploitation.

In Germany in 2007 there were just 92 cases registered, involving 101 victims. However, according to the German Federal Bureau of Investigations, it can be assumed that the number of cases is considerably higher. Many cases of human trafficking are related specifically to service in households, work in agriculture and in the construction sector, hotel and catering trades.

Lack of public awareness and appreciation of the criminal offences perpetrated mean that the phenomenon goes largely unrecognized in the social and work environments of those (potentially) affected.