Modern slavery encompasses forced labour, human trafficking, debt bondage and forced marriage. Victims are tricked, coerced or forced, losing their freedom for personal or commercial gain.
Modern slavery takes several forms, including:
Forced labour – individuals compelled to work under threat or coercion for little or no pay.
Debt bondage – victims trapped in work to repay debts they can never clear.
Forced marriage – people coerced into marriage against their will.
Exploitation of children – minors used for labour, sexual services or other abusive purposes.
Human trafficking is a severe violation of human rights affecting millions worldwide, including men, women, and children. It involves the exploitation of individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for various forms of labour, including sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, and labour trafficking. In New Zealand, human trafficking remains a hidden issue, often unnoticed but deeply impactful.
At Hagar New Zealand, we believe that survivors deserve more than just rescue—they deserve the opportunity to heal. That’s why we offer trauma-informed recovery support that takes into account the deep emotional and psychological scars left by trafficking, helping survivors regain their sense of control, safety, and dignity.
Globally, an estimated 50 million people are trapped in slavery‑like conditions. Of these:
| Category | Number Affected |
|---|---|
| Forced labour | 27.8 million |
| Forced marriage | 15.4 million |
| Other forms of exploitation | 6.8 million |
1 in 4 victims of modern slavery are children.
Out of the 27.8 million people trapped in forced labour, 16 million people are exploited in the private sector such as domestic work, construction or agriculture; 4.8 million persons are in forced sexual exploitation, and 4 million persons are in forced labour imposed by state authorities.
Women and girls are disproportionately affected by forced labour, accounting for 99% of victims in the commercial sex industry, and 58% in other sectors
Modern slavery encompasses forced labour, human trafficking, debt bondage and forced marriage. Victims are tricked, coerced or forced, losing their freedom for personal or commercial gain. Over two thirds of people in modern slavery live in Asia—particularly in South and Southeast Asia. Key hotspots include Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and, Philippines, Afghanistan and Thailand.
Explore broad hotspot regions linked to human trafficking, sexual abuse and exploitation, child exploitation and forced labour. Click any marker to see warning signs, survivor-centred response needs and donation impact.
Safety planning, emergency shelter, safe referral pathways and crisis response.
Counselling, case work, legal support and long-term recovery care.
Community education, safe migration information and systems change.
Donations can help survivors access safety, trauma-informed care, legal support, family reintegration, education pathways and prevention work.
For a more in depth look into modern slavery on a global scale check out:
