What is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking is compelling individuals into labor/commercial sex work through force, fraud or coercion, for the economic gain of the trafficker. It also includes when any minor in commercial sex work is a victim/survivor of human trafficking. Sexual exploitation is the abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust to profit monetarily, socially or politically from the labor or commercial sex work of another.  

Who is Affected by Sex Trafficking and Exploitation?

Anyone can be a victim of sex trafficking, regardless of gender, gender identity, race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Certain factors put young people at a higher risk of being victims; LGBTQ youth and youth who have experienced abuse, neglect, homelessness, involvement in children services, or trauma are more likely to be trafficked.

Who are Traffickers?

From the Polaris Project: Sex traffickers use violence, threats, lies, debt bondage, and other forms of coercion to compel adults and children to engage in commercial sex acts against their will. Under U.S. federal law, any minor under the age of 18 years induced into commercial sex is a victim of sex trafficking—regardless of whether or not the trafficker used force, fraud, or coercion. The situations that sex trafficking victims face vary dramatically. Many victims become romantically involved with someone who then forces or manipulates them into prostitution. Others are lured in with false promises of a job, such as modeling or dancing. Some are forced to sell sex by their parents or other family members. They may be involved in a trafficking situation for a few days or weeks, or may remain in the same trafficking situation for years.

Power and Control: Sex trafficking, just like domestic violence, is framed by, and constructed around, a framework of power and control. Tactics and patterns of behavior can appear in the form of economic, sexual and/or physical abuse, isolation, intimidation, and coercion, among others.

Power & Control Wheel Developed by Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs of Duluth, Minnesota.

Red Flags for Trafficking May Include:

• A controlling and dominating partner who the victim has to frequently checks-in with
• Sexually explicit profiles on websites
• Prepaid/multiple cell phones; key cards
• Frequent STIs, pregnancies, abortions
• Unusual tattoos/brandings/scars
• New clothes/accessories/gifts with no explanation; unexplained shopping trips
• Unexplained injuries, bruises, cuts, etc.
• Hyper-vigilant or paranoid behavior
• Secrecy about whereabouts; unaccounted-for time; vagueness or defensiveness in response to questions or concerns
• Late nights and/or unusual hours
• A sex trafficker can be:
• A supposed professional modeling agent, photographer, or filmmaker
• An older boyfriend or partner who pretends to be loving but passes their victim on to other people for sex, or to other traffickers
• A relative or family friend who wants the victim to “give back” to the family

A Sex Trafficker Can Be:

• A supposed professional modeling agent, photographer, or filmmaker
• An older boyfriend or partner who pretends to be loving but passes their victim on to other people for sex, or to other traffickers
• A relative or family friend who wants the victim to “give back” to the family

Other Methods of Recruitment:

• Violence and force
• Kidnapping
• Seduction and coercion
• Peer recruitment (not necessarily malicious/intentional)
• Internet enticement through chat rooms or profile-sharing sites
• Initial employment go-go dancing, stripping, or working in a massage parlor  

Keeping Yourself Safe

The internet is one of the most common ways traffickers recruit and control their victims. Keep these tips in mind, particularly on the internet:

• Only add people you know personally to your friends list.
• Do not give out personal information, even if it is requested; a sex trafficker can use your contact information, address, information on your family and personal life as a means of control.
• Seriously reconsider sending nude or explicit photos of yourself, especially to people you do not know.
• If somebody advertises themselves as a professional, look them up online. If they don’t look legitimate, they’re probably not.
• Don’t ever share your password; use a different password for different websites.