*The article is based on the highlights from the Side Event at the 25th OSCE High-Level Alliance against Trafficking in Persons Conference, March 2025 (Vienna, Austria).
The topic of demand, to begin with, is a complex yet fundamental aspect of human trafficking, as it provides a broader and complete perspective on the entire phenomenon, especially when the ultimate goal is to address and eradicate this illicit activity.
As a young professional approaching the anti-trafficking environment, I remember seriously approaching this aspect for the first time while drafting my thesis on human trafficking and the exploitation of Nigerian women in Italy, when I found myself asking: Where does all of this start? How are these dynamics created? Which led me to examine the root causes of human trafficking, beginning with the growing disparities between different areas of the world and the rise of vulnerable communities.
These structural elements create the perfect conditions for human trafficking to thrive, but they are ultimately set in motion by the main catalyst factor driving the entire process: demand.
At its core, human trafficking is fundamentally a market-driven crime: there’s demand for cheap labor supply; there are perpetrators recognizing this as a profitable business opportunity; and there is supply, namely vulnerable people, ranging from women and minors to migrants or LGBTQ+ individuals, who are recruited and exploited. This phenomenon is structured, financially motivated, grounded on vulnerabilities and fueled by a continuous request for such services.
Demand is not only central to understanding how human trafficking is triggered and continuously sustained, but it also helps recognize that trafficking is not just about victims and perpetrators, but also involves whoever requests these services, whose crucial role often goes undetected, since demand is often deemed as too complex or controversial to analyze in its full scope.
But how can we fully understand and address human trafficking if we miss some pieces of the puzzle?
On the contrary, the very demand should be a key focus of the analysis, as understanding its evolution can help predict trafficking trends and prevent exploitation cycles before they occur. For instance, in Italy, the number of sexually exploited LGBTQ+ individuals, in particular, the trends of transgender women, have been increasing and decreasing, almost out of control, following the specific trends and requests directed by the demand for trafficking-related services.
This is why, if left under-analyzed, demand will continue to change, leading trafficking networks to continuously evolve and challenge all efforts to eradicate this illicit activity.
From a youth perspective, demand roots in society itself, which means that what we need is a cultural and social shift, one that challenges harmful perceptions on demand and exploitation, while equipping individuals with the correct understanding and commitment to reject these issues. Education and awareness-raising practices should reach as many people as possible, fueling ethical and active responsibility. These efforts could actually prevent individuals from becoming part of future demand.
In conclusion, if we ignore demand, we will always be reacting to human trafficking rather than preventing it. However, focusing on and addressing demand represents a sustainable, long-term strategy for reducing the impacts of human trafficking and exploitation.
What are the key misconceptions or societal norms that need to change in order to effectively reduce demand for human trafficking?
Demand, along with human trafficking and exploitation, are deeply surrounded by various misleading societal norms, making it harder to prevent and address these issues effectively. For this answer, let us focus on two broad misconceptions that allow demand to persist.
Firstly, one of the most concerning behaviors is the tendency to normalize or completely disregard harmful behaviors linked to exploitation and human trafficking. Many individuals believe that these phenomena exist in isolation: as unfortunate and invisible realities that cannot be addressed in any way. Indifference and passivity to these complex issues often make people less aware and prone to acknowledge or even challenge these criminal systems, lowering the possibilities for demand to diminish.
Secondly, the failure or inability to instinctively connect demand with exploitation is another widespread issue. For instance, in my work at the Italian Helpline for Victims of Human Trafficking, I often receive calls from individuals who have recently purchased sexual services and have only just realized that the person they have paid is being exploited.
They want to report it, believing they are helping, yet they fail to see that their money is probably fueling these exploitation networks. This reflects a broader societal misconception, one that views the purchase of sexual services as a harmless transaction rather than a financial boost for human trafficking. Or as professor Anis H. Bajrektarevic states in his ‘Palermo Treaty System – Justice-Home Affairs Diplomacy’ book: “Organized crime groups basically function as any legal economic entity. Consequently, the ultimate goal of organized crime is similar to that of an ordinary commercial enterprise: to gain profit. As any profit depends on the market, criminal groups are strengthening their productivity, efficiency, sophistication and organization, cutting costs and risks, widening their territory, and trying to set up an exclusive monopoly in certain fields and/or on certain territory in order to maintain and to optimize their profits… Furthermore, in the face of growing demand, internal competition among organized criminal groups is rising and leading to increased violence which is exercised on both levels: internally (towards its own members) and externally (towards other gangs as well as towards the wider society).”
Consequently, most of these issues are rooted in the failure to properly transmit the correct values and knowledge that would allow people to recognize, understand, and reject exploitation. This is why to insist on the role of education, not just in raising awareness, but in ensuring that it is delivered effectively. As we saw, ineffective, passive, or absent education can result in unawareness, indifference, or even inaction. Instead, education must be intentional, comprehensive, and audience-specific.
It must help individuals recognize the existence and impacts of human trafficking, acknowledge their potential role in the exploitation cycle, transform them into aware and active changemakers, and ensure that responses to vulnerable individuals are complete and effective. Most importantly, it must eradicate the misconceptions that allow exploitation to persist.
How can young people be empowered to take an active role in shaping a culture that rejects exploitation and demand?
Young people can surely play a key role in reducing human trafficking if given the correct tools, network, and opportunities to work alongside and learn from professionals.
The best way to explain this is through the personal experience: I consider myself to be an example of how constant and direct youth engagement can empower young people to play an active role in addressing human trafficking.
Everything began in 2019, when I participated in my first human trafficking simulation, organized by the OSCE. This exercise was based on a real case scenario that engaged several experts from different nationalities and backgrounds. Participants were charged to solve a case of trafficking in human beings through constant cooperation, multi-agency and professional output.
I personally still consider this experience to be a turning point, as I learned about human trafficking, and, along with other participants, played an active role, as we were asked to step into the shoes of victims of sexual and labor exploitation and perpetrators, while interacting with professionals. We weren’t simply passively learning about trafficking as in normal lectures, but actively involved through the whole simulation. In doing so, we were given a sense of responsibility, which empowered us to contribute and perform our roles in the best way we could.
The simulations, along with many other international youth opportunities – for instance, the OSCE Pool of Young Experts or the study trip in Stockholm on human trafficking directed by CBSS –, have allowed me to learn, share ideas, and develop critical thinking. Throughout the years, I met many inspiring professionals and peers, who allowed me to understand different realities and broaden my perspective on these topics.
These experiences are fundamental for young individuals as they can ignite passion and commitment. And I’m proud to see that my dream finally came true, as today I directly work in the field. And I’m not alone, but part of a growing network of individuals with my same dedication.
Today marks another significant step in this journey as I have the opportunity to raise awareness and represent youth. While I may stand here physically alone, I carry with me the support and lessons learned from all those who have shaped my path. So, I firmly believe that young people experiencing these kinds of opportunities can be incentivized to contribute, in the best way they can, to what they’re committed to.
To wrap up the main topics of this article, the answers have focused on the role of demand behind exploitation, and the necessity to fully understand its dimension through comprehensive education and youth involvement, finally shaping a necessary social shift in the way of framing these practices. Additionally, efforts should be placed in actively engaging young individuals through meaningful initiatives, equipping them with the necessary critical thinking skills to reject exploitation, demand and all social misconceptions driving these issues.
*The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of TDI.
Alice Codispoti
Alice Codispoti is an Italian Anti-Trafficking professional and the OSCE's Young Experts Pool member. So far, she has been active in Italy, Span, Germany and Austria.
