Prevention of Human Trafficking – JSS3 Social Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Human trafficking is prevented through action by the government, the law, security agencies, schools, parents and the public.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. define human trafficking and name its forms;
2. list the preventive measures against human trafficking;
3. explain why stiff punishment and appropriate legislation help to stop human trafficking;
4. state the part played by the National Assembly, security personnel and the government;
5. describe how parents, schools and compulsory education help to prevent human trafficking.

What is human trafficking?

Human trafficking is the recruiting, moving or keeping of a person by force, threat or deception in order to exploit that person.

• Forced labour: victims are made to work without pay or under harsh conditions.
• Sexual exploitation: victims, mostly girls and women, are forced into prostitution.
• Domestic servitude: children are sent to homes as unpaid house helps.
• Child begging: children are made to beg and hand over the money.
• Illegal child labour: children are made to hawk, farm or mine for the benefit of others.

Why do people fall victim to human trafficking?

People fall victim mainly because of poverty, lack of education and false promises.

• Poverty: poor families may believe promises of a better life abroad or in the city.
• Unemployment: jobless youths accept any offer of work without checking it.
• Ignorance: people do not know the tricks used by traffickers.
• Lack of schooling: children out of school are easy to lure away.
• Weak enforcement: traffickers continue when they are not caught or punished.

What are the preventive measures against human trafficking?

There are eight main preventive measures: stiff punishment, compulsory education, appropriate legislation, public enlightenment, tight border security, the school curriculum, a better economy and proper upbringing of children.

Measures by the law and the government

• Stiff punishment: the law should punish offenders severely so that others are afraid to copy them.
• Appropriate legislation: the National Assembly should make laws that prevent, or put a total stop to, the trafficking of children and women.
• Improvement of the economy: the government should make and carry out good policies that create jobs and reduce poverty.
• Compulsory education: education should be compulsory for all children of a particular age, so that they stay in school and away from traffickers.

Measures by security agencies

• Tight security at the borders: military and paramilitary personnel should guard the borders so that people involved in trafficking are arrested.
• Examples of border and law enforcement bodies: the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Customs Service and the Police.
• NAPTIP: the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons investigates and prosecutes traffickers and helps victims.

Measures by schools and the public

• Curriculum: topics on human trafficking are taught in subjects such as Social Studies and Civic Education, so that pupils know the dangers.
• Public enlightenment programme: people are told, through radio, television, posters and town meetings, why they should not take part in trafficking.

Measures by parents

• Proper upbringing of children: parents should teach good values so that children live by them in the future.
• Care and supervision: parents should know where their children are and who they are with.
• Checking offers: parents should never hand a child to a stranger who promises school or work without checking.

Who is responsible for each preventive measure?

What should a student do if he or she suspects human trafficking?

A student should report the matter to a trusted adult or to the authorities straight away.

1. Do not follow strangers who offer jobs, travel or gifts.
2. Tell a parent, guardian or teacher about the offer.
3. Report the matter to the police or to NAPTIP through an adult.
4. Share what you have learnt with friends and neighbours.

Evaluation

1. List five measures that can prevent human trafficking.
2. Explain what is meant by stiff punishment as a preventive measure.
3. Who should make laws that will stop the trafficking of children and women?
4. Which groups of personnel should be at the borders, and why?
5. How can parents help to prevent human trafficking?

Assignment

Explain any three preventive measures against human trafficking, and state who is responsible for each.