Does human trafficking require a border crossing?

Human trafficking does not necessarily require a border crossing, and the correct answer reflects this understanding. Human trafficking can occur entirely within a single country, as it involves the exploitation of individuals through coercion, force, or fraud for various purposes including forced labor and sexual exploitation. The critical factor in human trafficking is not the movement across borders, but rather the act of exploitation.

This perspective aligns with legal definitions of human trafficking found in various international protocols and national laws, which emphasize the exploitation of individuals as the primary concern, regardless of geographic boundaries. Hence, an individual can be trafficked within their own city or state without ever crossing into another country. This underscores that human trafficking is a complex issue that transcends borders but can also manifest locally.