Across Russia, vulnerable children are coerced into slavery for sums ranging from hundreds of thousands to half a million rubles, according to organizations tackling trafficking. Representatives cited by Lente.ru suggest that the price for a child can be even lower when the victims are adults, reflecting a disturbing market for coercive labor and exploitation.
Children caught in trafficking networks are frequently drawn into criminal activities and subjected to sexual exploitation, while adults are often forced into unpaid, grueling labor that strips away rights and dignity. The global scope of this crime is underscored by the International Labor Organization, which reports a marked rise in forced labor and trafficking cases over four years, with the total number of victims reaching into the tens of millions. Experts estimate that children constitute roughly one third of all those affected, highlighting the disproportionate impact on younger generations.
In Russia’s regions, official data show that the worst offenders profit from illegal human trafficking schemes, with compensation awards paid to survivors sometimes exceeding one million rubles in efforts to secure relief and rehabilitation. These figures reflect ongoing efforts by law enforcement and social services to compensate victims and deter criminal networks, even as abuses continue to occur in various sectors of the economy.
Historical cases illustrate how traffickers operate across borders, exploiting gaps in protection and oversight. A notable incident from 2018 involved a group linked to Perm that targeted young women and took them to Saudi Arabia, where they were placed in sexual slavery. The operation was disrupted when two survivors escaped and aided authorities in arresting the perpetrators, underscoring the crucial role of survivor testimony in dismantling trafficking rings. Such events also emphasize the importance of international cooperation, vigilant border controls, and robust safeguard programs for at-risk populations. (Source: Lente.ru)