Human traffickers and the trafficking of Vietnamese women into China for marriage

Vietnam is primarily a source and transit country for human trafficking. Most Vietnamese are trafficked in the Asian region, particularly China, based on the available information. However, myths and misconceptions about traffickers, the nature of trafficking, and how the crime varies in different jurisdictions pose challenges for prevention work, rehabilitating offenders, and achieving justice for victims. Based on an analysis of 102 court cases involving 199 victims and 236 traffickers, the presentation outlines the reality of one particular trafficking crime: the trafficking of Vietnamese women and girls for sexual exploitation in China. The findings show that 71% of the Vietnamese victims were sold into forced marriages with Chinese men. Another significant result is that the majority of the prosecuted traffickers are similarly poor and vulnerable as their victims. Most are from ethnic minorities, with a poor educational background and few income generation opportunities. Based on this evidence, there are discussions on some challenges associated with prosecution, international cooperation, and more effective approaches for human trafficking prevention.