Unfortunately today there is a lot of misinformation going around regarding Human Trafficking. This is an unfortunate act done by people whom we feel mean well, but have their facts twisted and use fear to drive their intentions. The information on this page is backed up with references and data. We have been asked about the hashtag movement and our role in it and yes we do use them on social media we do this in an attempt to get the real facts out to the public. Please contact us if you have more questions.

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So who is really vulnerable to Human Trafficking?  - The simple answer is, everyone and trafficking does happen everywhere and this is where some people quit reading but shouldn't. Some people are more vulnerable than others. Higher risk factors include homeless or runaway youth, involvement in child welfare systems, recent migration, substance abuse, mental health concerns. Traffickers often identify and exploit victims vulnerabilities to create the dependency that holds the victims.

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Who are the traffickers ?  Perpetrators of human trafficking span all demographics and are as diverse as survivors. Some use their privilege, wealth, and power as a means of control while others experience the same socio-economic oppression as their victims. They include individuals, business owners, members of a gang or network, parents or family members of victims, intimate partners, owners of farms or restaurants, and powerful corporate executives and government representatives.

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What or how does a trafficker control the victim? Traffickers employ a variety of control tactics, the most common include physical and emotional abuse and threats, isolation from friends and family, and economic abuse. They manipulate the victim by make promises that addressing the needs of their target in order to control. Resulting in, victims become trapped and fear leaving for many reasons, including psychological trauma, shame, emotional attachment, or physical threats to themselves or their family.

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What do we really know about child sex trafficking? Traffickers have learned to prey on people who are economically or socially vulnerable such as kids who are living in poverty, or on the streets, or experience physical or sexual abuse, or addiction. They act as a friend, offering to meals, just a sympathetic ear or gifts. In some cases, traffickers may use another young person to befriend and recruit their victims. This recruitment can happen in public places such as malls or sporting events, as well as online, gamming platforms, through social media sites, or through false advertisements or promises about job opportunities that might appeal to young people. Using these methods the trafficker build trust and once they obtain the trust they don't need to kidnap their victims. They can get them to show up willingly.

It's also not uncommon for parents and family members to sell children for sex in exchange for drugs or money. In these cases the trafficker already is in a place to manipulate the victim. By isolating and manipulating the victim to get the traffickers desired outcome. 

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What can I do to get involved? Below is a list of things you can do or start doing to help!

           

            - Educate yourself and your child, identify the red flags and grooming tactics used.

            - Learn about online safety and teach you children how to be safe and not share personal information.

            - Establish open communication with our children early on, use a safe code that they can send you if they 

              find themselves in a uncomfortable situation. Also discuss how they can identify those situations early                        instead of after they become dangerous. 

            - Talk to your kids about Trafficking and situational awareness. 

            - Understand the vulnerabilities of your children and also the children in your community and what makes                    them at a higher risk.

            - Support your local organizations that are working to help prevent child sex trafficking and support                                survivors.

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References

• Deshpandre, N., & Nour, N. (2013). Sex trafficking of women and girls. Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 6, pp. 22-27.

• Horn, K., Woods, S. (2013). Trauma and its aftermath for commercially sexually exploited women as told by front-line service providers. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 34, pp. 75-81. 

• Kotrla, K. (2010). Domestic minor sex trafficking in the United States. Social Work, 55, pp. 181-187.

• Polaris Project 

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