การตกเป็นเหยื่อการค้ามนุษย์ของเด็กและเยาวชน : ศึกษากรณีเฉพาะการแสวงหาผลประโยชน์ทางเพศ

Abstract

This study was to investigate the state, factors and reasons for juveniles becomming the victims of human trafficking, and sexual exploitation. The results revealed human trafficking gradually evolved from slave trading in the past to prostitution currently. Even though prostitution was brought under control by law enforcement, prostitution progressed to sending Thai women to sell sex overseas. At the same time, foreign women, mostly from Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia entered Thailand's sex trade. Soon, these prostitutes were getting younger and younger, which initiated the human trafficking business, and having agents, providers or ring leaders who arrange the delivery of child prostitutes to many service facilities. Victimization in juvenile trafficking is caused by the following 3 factors: 1.) Family Reasons: In families whose parents divorced or remarried and established new families, the children or youths from the old families were left with a guardian. Children staying with remarried mothers often ran into conflict with their step fathers, who lack family warmth. These children have low self-esteem, and become vulnerable and more dependent on others. 2.) Economic Reasons: Most troubled children or youths came from poor families, having parents working as farmers or hired workers with inconsistent earnings as well as the fact that many families were burdened with lots of children. With a large family and inconsistent earnings, living and education costs increased tremendously until the parents were unable to provide for their children equally, causing family financial problems and debts. 3.) Social and Community Reasons: Some communities place more value on material wealth. Locals preferred to send their offspring to work in foreign countries to support their families. Their desire for their daughters to work abroad was heightened when neighbors came back from working abroad and improved their living conditions with their foreign earnings. This research recommends the collaboration of all public and private sectors, including the general public, to actively find preventive measures and solutions for the victims of juvenile trafficking. The public must be informed about the impact and be aware of common activities. At the same time, they must be made aware of human trafficking. The police officers should patrol the risk areas where sex may be secretly traded as well as arrest and charge the operators, agents, procurers, or anyone involved. People must get involved in the process as well. For example, family members should closely monitor their children's behavior, and provide them with love and warmth, as well as focus on the cause of problems to detect any changes that may lead to major problems later. More specifically, the children or youths hooked on drugs or games are vulnerable to becoming human trafficking victims. As for the community, community leaders, such as village heads, must be aware of the problems and disseminate knowledge on human trafficking among the locals, and the locals must keep their eyes open for suspicious activities in their community.