They often become dependent on their agents and employers, which forces them into an exploitative situation. Debt bondage (paying the cost of travel) can play a crucial role in strengthening the dependence of trafficked women and girls on their traffickers, as victims often have to repay the debt. As a result, some women and girls risk being forced into prostitution and therefore fall under the control of criminal networks. Many trafficked women and girls are unaware of their legal rights and have no opportunity to obtain compensation. It is common for women and children to be trafficked from countries with economic, environmental or political problems to countries or regions that have a better quality of life. Poverty, lack of opportunities, political and social instability in communities and countries of origin often force potential migrants to resort to illegal means, including criminal networks. As a result, new human trafficking routes are regularly created and the market for fraudulent travel documents, clandestine transports and secret border crossings develops.