About Human Trafficking
In order to prevent HT we must first understand what it is
Human trafficking is a global crisis that affects millions of individuals every year. It is a crime that exploits the most vulnerable members of society. The statistics are staggering according to the International Labor Organization, approximately 40.3 million people are victims of human trafficking worldwide. This issue is not just a distant problem; it affects communities everywhere, including our own.
Definition:
Human trafficking occurs when a person is exploited for labor or commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. It encompasses the exploitation of individuals for profit and is often referred to as modern-day slavery and affects people of all ages.
For adults, at least one of these elements must be present for the situation to legally be considered trafficking. For minors, any commercial sex automatically qualifies as sex trafficking, and there does not need to be force, fraud, or coercion.
Understanding
Trafficking vs Smuggling
A common misconception is that Human Trafficking must include some form of transportation or movement. Transport can be an element of Human Trafficking but it does not have to be. Many survivors report being trafficked in their own home either by a family member or romantic/intimate partner. Human trafficking is NOT the same crime as human smuggling. It is important to make this distinction in order to recognize the signs.
Human Trafficking
Human trafficking occurs when a person is exploited for labor or commercial sex through force, fraud, or coercion. Traffickers may use physical violence, threats, manipulation, false promises, debt, or control over basic needs such as housing, transportation, or immigration status. In cases involving adults, at least one of these elements must be present. When a minor is involved in commercial sex, it is considered human trafficking regardless of force, fraud, or coercion. Human trafficking often involves ongoing control and exploitation over time.
VS
Sextortion
A form of child sexual exploitation where children are threatened or blackmailed, most often with the possibility of sharing with the public nude or sexual images of them by a person who demands additional sexual content, sexual activity or money from the child. This crime may happen when a child has shared an image with someone or when someone creates fake explicit content of the child.
Key Differences:
Type of exploitation: Human trafficking involves ongoing exploitation for labor or commercial sex. Sextortion involves threats to expose private content to gain control or compliance.
Method of control: Trafficking relies on force, fraud, or coercion. Sextortion relies on threats, blackmail, and fear of exposure.
Location: Human trafficking may occur in person, online, or both. Sextortion primarily occurs online.
Overlap: Sextortion can be used as a tool by traffickers and, in some cases, may escalate into human trafficking.
Human Trafficking Can look like Domestic Violence
The Signs
Inadequately dressed for situation, work, or weather
Confused or Disoriented
Fear of authority or Law enforcement
Wounds or injuries at different stages of healing
Signs of drug or alcohol abuse
Trouble communicating due to a language/ cultural barrier
Doesn't have their own documents or ID
Unusual Tattoos
Always accompanied
Live in a degraded, unsuitable place or share sleeping quarters
Live and works in the same place
Unmet Health Needs
Examples:
Human Trafficking is not limited to the following examples, but these situations are designed to help you get a better understanding of what it can look like in the community around you.
Sex Trafficking Examples:
Manipulated by Someone Pretending to Be a Partner
A young adult meets someone who seems caring and supportive. Over time, this person becomes controlling and says they need help paying bills. They pressure the young adult to engage in commercial sex “just a few times.” When the young adult says no, the partner threatens to leave them, embarrass them, or harm them. This is sex trafficking through manipulation and coercion.
Recruited for a Job That Becomes Sexual Exploitation
An individual applies for a job at what they believe is a legitimate massage business. When they arrive, their supervisor tells them they must provide sexual services to customers. If they refuse, they are threatened with losing their housing, not getting paid, or being harmed. This is sex trafficking through Force, Fraud, and Coercion including deception and threats.
Forced into Commercial Sex
After a Fraudulent Marriage Someone is invited abroad to marry a person they met online. After arriving, their documents are taken and they are told they must engage in commercial sex or domestic work, or they will be abandoned or harmed. This is sex trafficking through fraud and coercion.
Minor Involved in Any Commercial Sex
A 16-year-old is asked by an older adult to post photos online, meet buyers, or help arrange sexual encounters in exchange for money, food, or a place to stay. Because the individual is a minor, this is automatically sex trafficking, even if force, fraud, or coercion isn’t present.
Exploitation of Vulnerable Populations
A person who has faced abuse and periods of homelessness meets someone who offers a place to stay and promises support. After gaining their trust, this person begins arranging for people to pay to engage in sexual acts with the vulnerable person. The exploiter takes the money and threatens to kick them out if they refuse. This is sex trafficking, because the individual’s vulnerabilities were exploited, and the trafficker benefited from third-party commercial sex through coercive control.
Labor Trafficking Examples:
Working to Pay Off an Unexpected “Debt”
A newly arrived immigrant is told they owe money for transportation, housing, or job placement. Their employer says they must work long hours for little or no pay until the debt is “paid off”, but the debt keeps increasing. This is labor trafficking through debt bondage
Domestic Worker Threatened with Deportation
An individual is hired to provide in-home cleaning and childcare. Once they begin the job, the household takes their passport and tells them they cannot leave. They are told they will be reported to immigration authorities if they try to quit. This is labor trafficking through Coercion including document confiscation and threats.
Farm Worker Threatened with False Accusations
A laborer works long hours on a farm. When they ask for their wages, the supervisor threatens to accuse them of stealing tools and says the police will arrest them if they stop working. This is labor trafficking through coercion, including intimidation.
Factory Worker Locked into Unsafe Conditions
A worker in a small factory is told they cannot leave during their shift, and sometimes not even after hours. They are denied breaks, not paid what they were promised, and threatened with violence if they speak up. This is labor trafficking through force and coercion.
Restaurant Worker Who Cannot Leave
A worker in a restaurant has their housing tied to the job. Their employer withholds pay, threatens eviction, and tells them they will be “blacklisted” and never work again if they try to leave. This is labor trafficking through Coercion, including financial control and fear.
