Human Trafficking and Prostitution Among Women and Girls of Edo State, Nigeria Possibility of Rehabilitation Through Education and Prevention

Even though this study was primarily on human traffi cking and prostitution among Edo womenand girls of Edo state in Nigeria, human traffi cking, however, is a widespread, visible phenomenonin the world today. It is a global problem. A report from United Nations Offi ce on Drug and Crimein 2014 says that human traffi cking involves over three million people in the world, bringing theirslaveholders an annual profi t of 32 billion dollars. According to the same report, there is no place inthe world where children, women, and men are safe from human traffi cking.In the background, the stark reality of poverty, unemployment, social marginalization, politicalcrises, wars, interethnic confl icts, and the militarization of entire territories has increased the massivedisplacements of the population, fuelling the illegal sex trade linked to them.Many youngsters who desire to improve their living conditions and those of their families fl eeingtheir homes often become prey to criminal organizations who take advantage of them, exploit them,and dehumanize them. Little do they know when they are leaving their homes to go to overseas,what is waiting for them is often something altogether diff erent, namely intimidation, blackmail,violence, nightmare, and slavery that strip them of all dignity and respect. To make matters worse,most of the victims and their families not only lose credibility but are also ostracized by their localcommunities when what happened comes to light. Th erefore, the victims of this painful chain arenot only young girls and boys but also families. Unfortunately, some parents, especially mothers,have also been perpetrators of this deplorable crime. Th ey push their daughters into the arms of theirtorturers, lulled by the dream of a brighter future.To stop and to prevent the reoccurence of this criminal network of complicity, which has been moreor less voluntary, conscious and unconscious, a joint commitment by all governments, organizations,local communities, and individuals is necessary. Everyone needs to remember and never forget thatevery human being, every person has been created and procreated in the image and likeness of Godand is a subject of essential rights, which should never be violated but rather should be respected andupheld by everyone in every time and place. 3