What is human trafficking?
Sex trafficking & commercial sexual exploitation
Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud or coercion to get another person to provide labor or sex in exchange for something of value (money, drugs, food, shelter, clothing, etc). Child sex trafficking is when anything of value is given for any sex act with a someone under 18.
Fast 5 facts:
Trafficking happens wherever there are people.
Most often, victims do not know they have been victimized.
As you read this, there are 3 million youth in the world being trafficked.
Trafficking does not always look like the stereotypical ‘kidnapping into a white van’. It is most often people the victim knows or those who those who form relationships with them for a calculated purpose following a trauma.
Traffickers can look like anyone - family members, friends, peers, romantic partners, educators, employers, & community leaders.
risk factors
- housing instability
- food insecurity
- financial instability
- trauma history
- prior sexual abuse
- substance use
- family rejection
- school avoidance
- family & friends involved in trafficking
- mental and behavioral health concerns
- displacement
- LGBTQ+ identity
- online safety concerns
- developmental & learning disabilities
- gang involvement
What can I do?
- educate yourself on what Trafficking is
- spread the word & help to end the stigma
- give people grace & think about another perspective
- learn about online & community safety
- love & support one another
How can I support someone who may have experienced this?
Simply be there & listen.
- providing stability and physically being there to support someone is the most healing method. Let them know they are safe, loved, and not alone.
- don’t pressure people to talk about it, let them come to you.
- gently encourage them to talk to a professional & check-in with their doctor.
- this is a lifelong healing journey, as there are often times multiple traumas. Know that it will not be an overnight fix, and remind them of this too.
If you are in need of immediate assistance, please call:
National Human Trafficking Hotline -
call 1-888-373-7888
text *233733
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
call or text 988