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Human Trafficking in Sweden by OH

Among other larger countries, Sweden may not stick out as a large contributor to human trafficking. However, like the rest of the European continent, there are still numerous documented and undocumented cases of trafficking.

Who are the victims?

Sweden is primarily a destination country for those who are being trafficked. Human sex trafficking is the primary form of exploitation, but labour trafficking is also on the rise in this country. Primary victims of trafficking in Sweden are international, a majority of them hailing from Afghanistan, Syria, or Russia. International trafficking is made easy in Sweden due to their relatively relaxed border security, especially when it comes to trafficking from other European countries.

One of the largest pull factors, like with most human trafficking cases, is the expectation of employment, as well as the demand for cheap labour. Unfortunately, Sweden faces issues with human trafficking such as Sex Trafficking, Labour Trafficking, Migrant Children Trafficking, and Forced Begging. Trafficking of migrant children is especially prevalent in Sweden, and children trafficked into Sweden are often passed even further abroad for labour or sex trafficking.

Sweden is considered a Tier I country by the United States Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report. It has stayed at a Tier I the entire history of its monitoring. Tier I is defined as, “Countries whose governments fully meet the TVPA’s minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.” [3] Like most of the other first world countries, Tier I status does not mean that trafficking does not exist, it just means that the country has worked to prevent this.

What is being done?

Sweden began use of the Palermo Protocol in the year 2000, in an attempt to decrease the trafficking of women and children for sex slavery. Sweden pays outside agencies, called NGO’s (Non-Governmental Organizations) to assist the victims of human trafficking. In 2015 alone, Sweden had over 160,000 applicants for asylum from trafficking. [1].

It was reported that children being sold into forced marriages were a relatively new issue for Sweden, as they did not have procedures on how to help these children. With use of Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, there has been more done in order to protect women and children subject to trafficking. The TVPA was put in place to protect undocumented immigrants trapped in a trafficking situation.

Since sex trafficking is the most prevalent form of trafficking, Sweden’s counter measure to prevent or diminish it’s impact is legalized prostitution. While there are no charges that can be filed against a man or woman for being a prostitute, the act of paying for sex remains illegal. By not prosecuting the victims and prosecuting their captors, it allows the victims a chance to seek help without repercussions from the government. [4] Other forms of trafficking are diminished by tighter border controls, as well as assistance for those who are trafficking victims instead of criminalizing or deporting them.