How is force defined in the context of human trafficking?

In the context of human trafficking, force is explicitly defined as the use of physical violence which can include acts such as beatings and confinement. This definition underscores the physical component of control exercised by traffickers to dominate and exploit their victims. The presence of physical violence not only seeks to instill fear but also physically restricts the victim’s freedom, making it a clear legal and factual basis for understanding the crimes associated with human trafficking.

Other forms of force, such as psychological intimidation or threatening behavior, while also harmful, are not categorized strictly under the definition of physical force. Instead, they may represent different methods of coercive control that can serve as complements to outright physical violence, rather than being the core definition of force itself. Coercive offers of employment, although deceptive, do not meet the criteria of physical force, as they often involve manipulation rather than direct physical harm. Thus, it is the described actions of physical violence and confinement that are central to protecting individuals from the severe implications of human trafficking.