GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRIME REVIEW
Sexual exploitation
DRI reported that according to anti-trafficking organizations and former residents of orphanages , sexual abuse and exploitation occur in institutions and generally start at the age of 13 years . The sexual exploitation of children can take place within institutions themselves as they can operate as a base from where children are made available to perpetrators before being returned to the institutions . It is also possible that the sexual exploitation occurs after the release of children from these institutions or because these institutions sell children to criminal networks involved in the trafficking of human beings for the purpose of sexual exploitation . 13 While these institutions can serve as a base for the exploitation of children in / for prostitution , DRI pointed out that girls are particularly vulnerable to the production of child sexual abuse material ( CSAM ) as well .
Removal of organs
Children residing within institutions , especially those with disabilities , are among the most at-risk for the removal of their organs . The Telegraph emphasized that “ Ukraine has long been a major hub for human trafficking in Eastern Europe , with previous reports of criminal gangs preying on impoverished people to harvest their organs .” 14
Forced begging
The IOM reported that according to the United Nations Migration Agency , more than 25 % of children victims of HT in Ukraine are forced to beg . 15 The children are forced to beg and give all ( or nearly all ) of the proceeds to their exploiters . Children with disabilities are particularly at risk of HT for the purpose of forced begging as they gain more sympathy from passersby . Children under 10 years of age also receive more money due to their youth . Children from conflict-stricken regions , as well as those from impoverished areas who move to countries or cities with higher incomes , are particularly vulnerable to traffickers who exploit them into forced begging .
Illegal adoption
Children can be trafficked out of institutions for the purpose of illegal adoption , which may comprise two cycles of institution-related trafficking . First , children are
The sexual exploitation of children can take place within institutions themselves as they can operate as a base from where children are made available to perpetrators before being returned to the institutions trafficked into institutions based on paper orphaning . Second , children are trafficked out of institutions to prospective adoptive parents , assuming that paying fees is part of the adoption procedures . In addition , the illegal adoption of children may subsequently result in additional forms of exploitation and abuse . In this regard , DRI reported that they “ Interviewed a family in the United States who hosted two children from a Ukrainian orphanage for several weeks . The program never conducted background checks or visited the home of the hosts .” 16
Child soldiering
The trafficking of human beings is inextricably linked to conflict . In this regard , institutionalized children can be trafficked out of institutions to be used as child soldiers by armed forces , paramilitary organizations or rebel groups . The 2018 U . S . Department of State ’ s TIP stated , “ Many children are forcibly abducted to be used as combatants . Others are made to work as porters , cooks , guards , servants , messengers , or spies . Young girls may be forced to ‘ marry ’ or be raped by commanders and male combatants . Both male and female child soldiers are often sexually abused or exploited by armed groups .” 17 In Ukraine , Russiabacked groups are known to recruit children to take part in military actions . 18
Conclusion
DRI highlighted that most countries are downsizing these institutions in order to move toward more sustainable solutions such as family and community-based care as per the United Nations Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children . 19 However , it appears that Ukraine has rebuilt most of its institutions over the years . In addition , international donors may contribute , inadvertently , to maintain a system that segregates children due to short-term thinking and ill-informed international response to crises . This results in money being poured into supporting these institutions and the construction of new ones . 20 Consequently , this untargeted aid to help children may reinforce existing harmful practices , which can lead to the proliferation of an institutional system that offers opportunities for criminal networks to exploit children in and outside of these institutions for financial gain . 21 It is , therefore , crucial for financial institutions to conduct thorough due diligence in order to ensure that financial support is not going toward the profiteering of traffickers and organized criminal groups . It is also important to recognize HT risk indicators . In this regard , more information , as well as an inexhaustive list of indicators for identifying organizations that might be involved with child trafficking , is available on ACAMSToday . org . 22
Jonathan Dupont , FIU investigator and subjectmatter expert on cryptocurrency , human trafficking and crimes against children , Lithuania , jonathandupont @ protonmail . com
116 acamstoday . org