A study carried out by the IOM office in Santiago found an increase
in human trafficking for sexual exploitation, and confirmed that
Chile is a country of origin, transit and destination for
trafficking for sexual exploitation.



The research also found an increase in cases of migrant smuggling.
The majority of migrants smuggled into the country are vulnerable
to human smugglers, in many instances because of the debt incurred,
and end up as victims of trafficking.



Of the 99 victims (all female) identified and interviewed, 89 per
cent were adult and 11 per cent were minors. Seventy-seven per cent
of those interviewed had crossed an international border (with
Chile as the country of origin or destination) and 23 per cent were
victims of internal trafficking.



The study confirmed that the extent of human trafficking remains
underreported in the country due to the clandestine nature of the
criminal networks involved in trafficking and smuggling.



The five-month exploratory study was complied through field work,
direct interviews with victims, and research of judicial and police
records. The study covered the Metropolitan Region, which includes
the capital Santiago, and five of the 12 regions (provinces).



For further information, please contact:



Gabriela Rodriguez

IOM Santiago

Tel: +56-2-2746713

Email: "mailto:iomsantiago@iom.int">iomsantiago@iom.int