ABSTRACT
International and local policies or legislations exist on Child Trafficking. However, it remains a serious public health concern in many parts of the world particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. This paper explores Family socio economic status and child trafficking in calabar municipal. And proffers appropriate solution. It involves illegal recruitment and movement of children for the purpose of exploitation. Different factors predispose to trafficking in the country, mainly due to social, political or economic reasons. Of recent, the phenomenon of Baby factory becomes very common in some parts of the country, leading to young girls mobilized into the trafficking cycle and giving birth to children for sale in black markets. Trafficking occurs either locally within the country or internationally through various routes, across all the geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Various health implications associated with trafficking exist, these include physical, mental or sexual consequences, hence, the study outline existing legislations, barriers and ways of controlling the menace. Objective: To determine Family socio economic status and child trafficking in calabar municipal, cross River State, Nigeria. The study was purposely or judgmentally sampled. The used of judgment in selecting the area as a case study with specific purpose. It was based on judgment that this area will facilitate the investigation. They were children and publics that are readily accessible and were very cheap and quick to implement. The research design used in conducting this study was the survey method. This design is used because it allows for the drawing of inferences. It is a survey research that studies the population by selecting samples chosen from the population to discover the distribution and interrelations of variables. The instrument of data collection was a validated designed, interviewer administered semistructured questionnaire. The hypotheses were tested using Chi-Square at a predetermined 0.05 level of significance. The quantitative data were analysed with the aid of Chi-square. Results: The results indicated among others that child trafficking occurred as a result of low socio economic status of parents, lack of orientation and empowerments. The study recommended that, child right act instrument and its implementation should be strengthened in order to curb child trafficking in the study area.In view of the numerous negative effects of child trafficking, government should implement and enforce the legislation addressing child trafficking in Nigeria and also set up poverty alleviation programmes headed by the social workers.The study therefore, concluded that the government of Cross River State in conjunction with the social workers should carry out an enlightenment campaign through the media and religious institutions on the negative consequences of child trafficking.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
- Background to the study
The presence of socio-economic status in the world creates a system where those in power find it very easily to dominate and take advantage of those people without power. One of the most serious contemporary effects of income inequalities between and within societies is the phenomenon of global child trafficking for the purposes of labour (Ekpenyong and Nkereuwem, 2011). John and David (2014), attest that deriving from unequal family status relations, has push many parents to child trafficking which is a serious global crime that involves the exploitation of many, but mostly females and children.
Socio economic inequality greatly impact economic, social, and political domains and the relationships of those domains at the individual, local, and global levels. The effects of socio economic inequality on an individual may lead to negative outcomes, such as child trafficking (Romm, 2012). Individuals who experience social inequality also tend to lack in social capital. Rivello and Weaver (2013) found that there is a strong relationship between low socio economic status and high child trafficking rates.
Child trafficking is among the most disturbing issues globally today. Never a day goes by without news that bothers on human trafficking. It ranks among the most prevailing transnational crime globally. Despite a lack of clear definition, it is mostly seen as a new form of international slave trade with the aim of making profits. Today human trafficking is a global business affecting mostly children in less developed nations. According to the United Nation (2015) Child Trafficking refers to the recruitment, transportation, transfer, labouring or a receipt of persons, by means of threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of powers or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation, servitude and child labour.
