What leads to prostitution and even human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation?

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Unemployment, poverty, a lack of education, gender discrimination, and violence can be clearly identified as negative and discriminatory factors that can push individuals into prostitution or even make them victims of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

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These factors are linked to circumstances that draw in potential victims, making them particularly susceptible to lures such as promises of easy money. In the worst-case scenario, they end up in the hands of human traffickers.

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This is due, in part, to perceptions regarding the benefits of life in more affluent Western societies, as well as expectations concerning employment and earnings.

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Social conditions play the most significant role

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During economically difficult times, the social standing of men is strengthened relative to that of women—even within Europe.

Conversely, women—who already occupy a weaker social position—are pushed even further to the margins of society. Particularly in Eastern and Southern Europe, many girls and women grow up in circumstances where they are, in effect, socially conditioned to view their bodies and sexuality as a means—often the only one at their disposal—to earn money.

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These conditions contribute to the continued marginalization and discrimination of women, thereby limiting their opportunities to participate actively in society.​

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Gender-based discrimination

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In times of crisis—for instance, when unemployment rises or armed conflicts break out—traditional gender stereotypes are often reinforced. The same applies in areas where the notion that "the man should work and provide for the family, while the woman should take care of the home" remains deeply entrenched.

In their daily lives, women encounter discrimination in countless ways.

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Discrimination in the labor market

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In the labor market, women are often the last to be hired and the first to be laid off. This makes them particularly vulnerable.

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When women are excluded from the formal labor market, they may be forced to seek work in the informal (or "black") market. This makes them easy targets for human traffickers and increases the risk of them ending up in prostitution. Men who lose their jobs may also face similar risks.

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Violence against women and children

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Violence against women and girls—especially domestic violence—also increases the risk that women and children will end up on the streets. Domestic violence is a major reason why many young women, girls, and boys seek to leave their families and home countries, where they are offered no protection.

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Consequently, women facing unemployment, sexual harassment, or domestic violence may view offers of well-paid work abroad as an almost magical path to a better life. For children, such offers may appear as an opportunity to escape violence.

 

General Conditions in Transition and Developing Countries

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Societal transition processes entail extensive political, social, and cultural changes, including a redistribution of economic power. This has contributed to increased poverty and unemployment—factors that rank among the primary causes of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

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Many people are constantly seeking employment and a better life, which makes them easier targets for human traffickers to exploit. Women are particularly vulnerable, as they often work in sectors—such as the textile industry and the service sector—that have been severely affected by structural changes and layoffs.

At the same time, globalization has created greater opportunities for individuals to travel and seek a better life elsewhere.

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In many regions, borders have also become more open, making it easier for human traffickers to move their victims between different areas. Furthermore, for an unemployed woman, it may have become easier to support her family by engaging in prostitution abroad.

The factors mentioned above are just a few of the many reasons behind the rise in prostitution and human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation currently observed in Europe.