Children can be trafficked out of institutions into other forms of exploitation . Traffickers are aware of the vulnerabilities of children as well as the lack of emotional support they may experience in institutions . As a result , children can be easy targets for traffickers seeking to exploit them for financial gain . Traffickers are known to approach them directly inside institutions through manipulative techniques , such as grooming , and to capitalize on some children ’ s wish to run away . In this regard , Lumos also pointed out that children living in residential institutions have more chances to go missing and face serious risks of exploitation . In some instances , the institutions themselves can be complicit and directly involved in the trafficking of children .
Children who have already been victims of HT may be placed in institutions to “ protect ” them or because they are not perceived as victims by law enforcement . In other instances , children may be placed there because there are no other viable alternatives . In this regard , children can be re-exposed to HT within these institutions . As a result , the institutionalization of child victims of HT increases the risk of further exploitation , perpetuating a cycle of exploitation . For traffickers and criminal networks , the institutionalization of children represents an opportunity for exploitation .
There are two types of care leavers : Those who “ graduate ” or are considered too old to remain within institutions and those who run away from institutions . The latter group is particularly vulnerable to HT as they may face challenges in reintegrating into society ( e . g ., employment , higher education , etc .). As a result , they can be targeted by traffickers or criminal networks or may consent to their own exploitation as a way to survive .
HT typologies Labor exploitation
DRI highlighted that “ Labor exploitation is the most common form of trafficking in Ukraine , according to the International Organization for Migration ( IOM ) 2014 status report . La Strada states that … internal labor trafficking has become ‘ mainstream .’” 11 In addition , DRI ’ s investigators observed that in most institutions , children are subject to forced labor , which is disguised as “ rehabilitation ” and “ occupational training .” The most common forms of forced labor include agriculture ( e . g ., farming ), industry ( e . g ., construction , mining ) and other services ( e . g ., street work ). According to the U . S . Department of Labor , “ In 2020 , the Russia-led conflict in the east of the country … limited the government ’ s financial and institutional capacity to address the worst forms of child labor throughout Ukraine .” 12
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