Many people migrating from Latin America to the United States are victims of sexual assault and sex trafficking in Mexico.[1][2][3][4][5] People who migrate through or from Mexico without legal permission must enter into dealings with smugglers and, often, criminal gangs. Perpetrators may be smugglers or gang members, but can also be government officials, bandits, or other migrants. Sexual assault is sometimes part of the "price" of smuggling, and some women have reported preparing for it in advance by taking contraception.
People without legal permission to migrate are much less likely to report being the victim of a crime or otherwise take actions which may jeopardize their ability to cross the border or remain in the United States. Although data is difficult to collect and analyze, Amnesty International reported in 2010 that the proportion of women and girls who are sexually assaulted over the course of their journey might be as high as 60%.
- ^ "Mexico migrants face human rights crisis, says Amnesty". BBC. April 28, 2010. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
- ^ "Mexican Police Arrest Suspect in Trafficking Along US Border". VOA. October 13, 2018. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
- ^ "Hiding in plain sight, a hair salon reaches Mexican trafficking victims". The Christian Science Monitor. April 12, 2016. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
- ^ "Tenancingo: the small town at the dark heart of Mexico's sex-slave trade". The Guardian. April 4, 2015. Archived from the original on May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
- ^ "Human trafficking survivors find hope in Mexico City". Deseret News. July 17, 2015. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.