traffickers in persons

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "traffickers in persons" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or humanitarian contexts to refer to individuals or groups involved in the illegal trade of people, often for purposes such as forced labor or sexual exploitation. Example: "The government has implemented stricter laws to combat traffickers in persons and protect vulnerable populations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Because the trafficker did not use force, fraud, or coercion as defined under the Act, he did not engage in a severe form of trafficking in persons and therefore cannot be prosecuted under the TVPA.

Huffington Post

For the year preceding the publication of the 2008 Trafficking in Person's Report, Hong Kong authorities recorded only two convictions for trafficking, and two other reports of trafficking for prostitution, and no laws exist that specifically target traffickers [ 28].

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Despite the battery of laws designed to prosecute traffickers, there are more victims of trafficking than traffickers in prison for so-called immigration offences.

The Guardian - Opinion

MaitiNepal, an NGO working to prevent trafficking to India for forced sex work and to rescue and rehabilitate survivors, has claimed traffickers in that area are being paid upwards of 30,000 Indian rupees every time they supply a person.

Huffington Post

We met the traffickers in Istanbul.

The Guardian

But the presence of so many traffickers in Venezuela can also be seen as evidence that the country has become a haven for traffickers.

The New York Times

Raids on drug traffickers in Mexico often turn up tens of millions of dollars in cash.

The New York Times

The beneficiaries would be Albania's drug barons and traffickers in human cargo.

The Economist

And the traffickers in turn adapted by establishing the West Africa connection.

The New York Times - Magazine

They included traffickers in stolen credit-card and social-security numbers, drug dealers, and hackers.

The New Yorker

These are traffickers in death, the videos say.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "traffickers in persons", ensure your language is precise and avoids unintentional victim-blaming. Focus on the actions of the traffickers and the systems that enable their crimes.

Common error

Avoid using "smuggling" interchangeably with "trafficking". Smuggling involves the illegal transport of a person across a border, while "trafficking" involves exploitation after transport, which may or may not involve crossing borders. Trafficking always involves coercion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "traffickers in persons" functions as a noun phrase, specifically identifying individuals or groups involved in the illegal trade and exploitation of people. While examples are limited, Ludwig indicates this is a standard construction.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "traffickers in persons" serves as a formal noun phrase identifying perpetrators of human trafficking. While precise and grammatically correct, as affirmed by Ludwig, it is best used in neutral to formal settings. Due to limited example sentences, its frequency is currently categorized as missing. Remember to avoid confusing trafficking with smuggling, as trafficking always involves exploitation and coercion. Alternative phrases include "human traffickers" and "people smugglers", though these may have slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

human traffickers

This alternative directly replaces "persons" with "human", simplifying the phrase while retaining the core meaning.

those who traffic in human beings

This phrase rephrases the action, specifying "human beings" as the object of trafficking.

individuals engaged in human trafficking

This is a more descriptive and formal way of referring to those involved in trafficking.

perpetrators of human trafficking

This alternative emphasizes the criminal aspect of trafficking, highlighting the individuals responsible for the crime.

people smugglers

This term focuses on the act of smuggling people across borders, often associated with trafficking.

human trafficking rings

This focuses on the organized network rather than the individuals, but implies the presence of traffickers.

modern-day slave traders

This phrase uses strong imagery to connect current trafficking activities with historical slavery.

exploiters of human beings

This term shifts the focus to the act of exploitation, a key component of human trafficking.

those involved in forced labor

This alternative narrows the scope to one specific form of human trafficking.

sex traffickers

This focuses specifically on trafficking for sexual exploitation.

FAQs

What is the difference between "traffickers in persons" and human traffickers?

The terms "traffickers in persons" and "human traffickers" are largely interchangeable. The former is often used in legal and formal contexts, while the latter is a more common and simplified expression.

How can I use the phrase "traffickers in persons" in a sentence?

You can use "traffickers in persons" to describe individuals or groups involved in the illegal trade of people. For example: "The government is working to combat "traffickers in persons" and protect vulnerable populations."

What are some other terms for "traffickers in persons"?

Alternative terms include "human traffickers", "people smugglers", and those who engage in "modern-day slave trade" depending on the specific context.

Why is it important to use precise language when discussing "traffickers in persons"?

Using precise language helps to avoid minimizing the severity of the crime, prevent victim-blaming, and ensure that legal and policy efforts are accurately targeted. Terms like "traffickers in persons" clearly identify the perpetrators of exploitation.