GENEVA, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Trafficking in persons is often seen as an underground activity, linked to irregular migration, and hidden from the authorities and the general public, but a new report showed that most victims trafficked internationally had in fact crossed official border points.

On the occasion of World Day against Trafficking in Persons, which falls on every July 30, a new report released by the UN Migration Agency IOM Monday showed that in the last ten years, almost 80 percent of journeys undertaken by victims trafficked internationally cross through official border points, such as airports and land border control points.

This indicates that most trafficking is in fact happening through official border points, and thus highlights the crucial role that border agencies and service providers at border points can play to identify potential victims and refer them for protection and assistance, the IOM said.

According to the new IOM report, women are more likely to be trafficked through an official border point than men. Adults are also more likely to be trafficked across official border points than children.

"Victims are exploited at some point during their journey in two thirds of cases, meaning that they are likely to cross official borders having already experienced some form of exploitation, while one third may still be unaware that they are being trafficked and may believe they are taking up new opportunities abroad that have been promised to them," the report said. Enditem

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