Exploitation in begging

Exploiting a person in begging is a form of human trafficking which may also involve exploiting the person in criminal activity. The crime often involves organised crime. As in many other forms of human trafficking, the victims often come from a poor background. 

Victims exploited in begging do not want to beg

Persons who are exploited in begging are not begging voluntarily: they have been coerced into it for example by threatening them with violence or through debt bondage. The victims do not get to keep the money given to them: some or all of it must be given to the abuser.

It is good to bear in mind, however, that not everyone who begs is coerced into it. For some, begging is a way to make a living. Having children beg is, however, always questionable. Begging should not compromise the child’s health, safety or education. When encountering children who beg, there is always a chance that the child is being exploited, and this possibility must always be considered.

Victims exploited in begging often belong to a vulnerable population group

People who are coerced into begging often belong to an especially vulnerable population group, which makes others want to help and donate them money. This is why victims of forced begging often are children, elderly, pregnant or disabled. In some cases, abusers have been found to cause visible injuries to the victims or make them pretend that they have an injury in order to make the victims raise more money. This has been found to occur mainly outside Finland.

Victims of this form of human trafficking have been identified very rarely in Finland. Unlike Sweden or Estonia, for example, Finland has so far not had any legal cases or legal practice on the subject of exploitation in begging.