The Truth About Trafficking
There is a lot of misinformation about trafficking, and unfortunately, it's doing more to harm real victims. Misconceptions make the most invisible people in our communities more invisible. Victims need us to understand their stories so we can advocate for the most effective solutions.
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TRUTH:
Sex trafficking most commonly takes place as a manipulative relationship that utilizes psychological coercion more than physical. It’s less risky for a trafficker to manipulate a vulnerable person into believing a life of sex for pay is all they are worth than to physically confine them. This is also why recovery for victims is most effective in the context of safe, healing, empowering relationships.
WHY IT’S HARMFUL: This misconception contributes to the false (and dangerous) narrative that if a person is free to come and go, then it must not be trafficking. This kind of misinformation makes invisible victims even less likely to be identified so they can receive the resources they need.
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TRUTH:
Abductions do of course happen, but in our 10 years of experience working with trafficking victims, these cases are extremely rare. It’s much more likely that traffickers will emotionally manipulate a vulnerable child or exploit a need (place to stay, money, food). Therefore, the solution must include teaching kids about healthy relationships, ensuring they have what they need in their own homes and families, and educating communities about the truth of real trafficking issues.
WHY IT’S HARMFUL: To believe that most trafficking cases start out as abductions will lead us to focus prevention efforts on keeping kids from being snatched and will distract us from serving the marginalized populations that are at a higher risk.
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TRUTH:
In our experience, the average age of entry to a trafficking situation is 12 - 14 years old. Children of any age can be targeted, but it’s much more likely for young teenagers to be targeted through the promise of a romantic experience or the exploitation of their basic needs which aren’t being met elsewhere.
WHY IT’S HARMFUL: If all the awareness being raised is centered on sensational stories that focus on fringe issues, actual victims will never receive the support they need.
Of the nearly 2,000 victims we have served, the vast majority were coming from an impoverished community, running away from neglect or abuse, or fleeing the foster care system.
Most have experienced deep relational brokenness in their own families or homes, making them more vulnerable to the manipulation tactics of traffickers. These are the stories of most victims of sex trafficking in the U.S., and to focus all our energy on things such as preventing kidnappings and abductions is to shortchange a serious human rights issue.