Trafficking and Black Youth: facts + resources
This #BlackHistoryMonth, our team focused on learning more about trafficking and Black youth. Each week during our all-staff meeting, team members discuss intersectional issues. Because you’re here, we know you care, so we're sharing these facts and resources to help educate our community and bring awareness to topics that demand our attention.
Overview
Black youth are disproportionately represented in trafficking statistics across the nation.
According to Rights 4 Girls,
Black children comprise 53% of all juvenile prostitution arrests—more than any other racial group.
Even in communities where a small percentage of the population is Black, Black girls are disproportionately trafficked.
For example, in King County, Washington, 84% of child sex trafficking victims are female and 52% are Black, though Black children and adults together only comprise 7% of the general population.
In Multnomah County, Oregon, approximately 95% of child sex trafficking victims are female and 27% of child sex trafficking victims are Black, though Black people comprise less than 6% of the population.
In Louisiana, Black girls account for nearly 49% of child sex trafficking victims, though Black girls comprise approximately 19% of Louisiana’s youth population.
Intersectional Issue: Missing vs. Runaway
We can’t talk about trafficking without talking about the mislabeling of Black youth. Black youth are disproportionately labeled as runaways, which means there is a lack of media coverage, and systems allot fewer resources for their safe return. Children labeled as runaways are treated as low-level criminals, while those labeled missing are treated as victims.
Some statistics:
In 2021, of the 25,000 children reported missing to NCMEC who had run away, 1 in 6 were likely sex trafficking victims.
Though Black people make up 13% of the U.S. population, nearly 40% of missing persons cases are people of color.
In 2022, more than 97,000 Black women were reported missing in the U.S.
In 2022, the U.S. reported 546,000 missing individuals, with 36% of these cases involving Black youth and women.
Sources: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Black and Missing Foundation, 2022 NCIC Missing Person and Unidentified Person Statistics
Big thanks to Advocates Tia and LaSonja for compiling this research and educating our team.
Intersectional Issue: Adultification
We can’t talk about trafficking without talking about the adultification of Black youth. Adultification means treating or considering a child as an adult, usually in a way that is wrong or harmful. Adultification bias roots can be traced back to slavery—Black children were dehumanized, and their bodies were viewed as chattel or property. Research shows that from as young as 2 and 3 years of age, Black children were not seen as worthy of “play” like their white peers.
Unfortunately, this prejudice still affects Black youth today and has set a cultural bias that places adult expectations on youth who deserve to be kids.
Studies show:
Adults view Black girls as less innocent and more adult-like than their white peers—especially in the age range of 5-14.
Compared to white girls of the same age, adult survey participants perceived that:
Black girls need less nurturing
Black girls need less protection
Black girls need to be supported less
Black girls need to be comforted less
Black girls are more independent
Black girls know more about adult topics
Black girls know more about sex
Black girls are disciplined at 2x the rate of their white peers for minor disturbances in the classroom (such as dress code and cell phone use)
Black girls are disciplined at 3x the rate of their white peers for fighting, bullying, and harassment at school
From the age of 10, Black boys are perceived as older and more likely to be guilty than their white peers, and police violence against them is perceived as more justified
This list goes on and on, and has a direct connection to child sex trafficking, as it prevents Black youth from being seen as victims.
“…The widely held assumption that Black girls are ready for and engaged in sexual activity in early adolescence, which can often lead to the perception that Black girls simply choose to engage in sex work instead of recognizing their marginalization and vulnerability to exploitation…On the one hand, Black girls are not recognized as potential victims of DMST, and their victimization often goes unnoticed by those with the power to intervene. On the other hand, if they are recognized as victims, then they are blamed for their victimization…” (Cook, M. C., Le, P. D., & García, J. J. (2022))
“Ultimately, adultification is a form of dehumanization, robbing Black children of the very essence of what makes childhood distinct from all other developmental periods: innocence.” (Rebecca Epstein, et al.)
Sources: Girlhood Interrupted: The Erasure of Black Girls’ Childhood, Addressing Racism in the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking of Black Girls: The Role of Public Health Critical Race Praxis, The Essence of Innocence: Consequences of Dehumanizing Black Children, Listening to Black Women and Girls: Lived Experiences of Adultification Bias
Shoutout to Advocates, Christina and Gabby for compiling this research and educating our team.
Resources
If you’re interested in learning more, our team recommends these resources:
Leaders to follow in the fight for justice
Sofia Strother - survivor leader, author, entrepreneur, community advocate, and inspirational speaker
Vette Christy - survivor leader, author, speaker, consultant
Keeya Vawar - survivor leader, author, speaker, consultant
Danielle Coke Balfour - artist, activist, speaker, and entrepreneur
Organizations
Rights 4 Girls - A non-profit organization that works to change the narrative and policies that criminalize girls who have been impacted by gender-based violence. Rights 4 Girls advocates for solutions that provide girls and young women with access to safety, justice and support.
Black and Missing - A non-profit organization with the mission to bring awareness to missing persons of color. Black and Missing works to provide vital resources and tools to missing person’s families and friends (Report a missing person here) and to educate the minority community on personal safety.
The Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality - A research center that works to bridge academia and policy to equip policymakers and advocates with rigorous research, trusted analysis, and innovative policy solutions needed to make change.
Documentaries
Black and Missing (Rating: TV-MA)
Tales Of The Grim Sleeper (Rating: TV-MA)
Studies
Girlhood Interrupted: The Erasure of Black Girls’ Childhood
Listening to Black Women and Girls: Lived Experiences of Adultification Bias