With the recent takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban, concerns are being raised about how to deal with instances of child trafficking. According to an AP News article by Matthew Lee, Afghan men have been claiming children as their “wives” during evacuation procedures(1). This is incredibly concerning, especially since these children may now be separated from their families as they start their lives as refugees in a country foreign to them. Furthermore, Lee also reports some of these children have said they had to marry older men to be able to escape Afghanistan(1).
This situation is a prime example of modern day human trafficking as it involves forcing children into exploitative circumstances. CBS News reported on September 7th that it is not yet clear how US officials will handle investigating and prosecuting Afghan men suspected of engaging in the federal crime of human trafficking(2).
As this situation unfolds, it is important to stay educated on the signs on human trafficking and how to help survivors. Hopefully, officials will take this matter seriously and rescue these children from their traffickers as soon as possible.
Here are some links with more information on how to help Afghan refugees:
Form to fill out if you can offer housing assistance (setting up a living space, transportation, a meal, temporary/permanent housing, financial support)
Finding a local resettlement agency to volunteer with
Donate to the International Rescue Committee to help with issues like food insecurity and displacement
References:
Lee, M. (2021, September 3). Afghan evacuation raises concerns about child trafficking. AP NEWS. Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-child-trafficking-27d93a340c4834d497eb36e22bb72f42.
Brennan, M., & Erickson, B. (2021, September 7). U.S. investigates "Child bride" cases among Afghan evacuees. CBS News. Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-investigates-child-bride-cases-among-afghans-who-fled-afghanistan/.
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