What is human trafficking?
At its core, human trafficking involves exploiting another person by using control, deception, dependency or vulnerability.
Three parts to understand
Under Swedish law, trafficking can involve actions such as recruiting, transporting, transferring, harbouring or receiving a person, combined with improper means such as coercion, deception or abuse of a vulnerable situation, for the purpose of exploitation.
Forms of exploitation
Exploitation can include sexual exploitation, forced labour, organ removal, military service or other activities where a person is placed in a situation of severe distress. Children may also be exploited in begging or criminal activity.
Control does not always mean physical violence
Violence and threats occur, but control may also be created through debt, isolation, dependency on housing or work, confiscated identity documents, false information about Swedish authorities or threats against family members.
Trafficking and smuggling are not the same
People smuggling mainly concerns illegal border crossing in return for payment. Human trafficking concerns exploitation. A person may have agreed to travel or take a job and still later become a victim of trafficking.
Swedish law
The trafficking offence is found in Chapter 4, Section 1a of the Swedish Penal Code. For legal interpretation, always consult the current legal text and professional advice.