 Although Mauritania criminalized slavery in August 2007, up to an estimated 600,000 men, women and children, 20% of the population of Mauritania, are currently enslaved, many used as bonded labor.Islamist quasi-states such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and Boko Haram have abducted and enslaved women and children (often to serve as sex slaves).Evidence of slavery predates written records, and has existed in many cultures.