TRUTH & realities of SEX-TRAFFICKING!

The existence of the multibillion-dollar industry of human trafficking is a stain on our civilized society. It is an inhumane practice that deserves no place in any just and compassionate world. Every rescued victim of human trafficking deserves and requires specialized care, compassion, and justice.

We firmly believe in the importance of vigorous prosecution for all individuals who exploit and prey on others, regardless of their gender, race, socioeconomic status, or cultural background. Our commitment lies in providing a safe haven for survivors, focusing on their healing, restoration, mental well-being, and the restoration of their dignity.

The fight against human trafficking is a collective responsibility, and we urge everyone, from this generation, to your generation, to my generation, to take a stand against it. If we fail to act now, when will this atrocity be eradicated? We must unite and act with determination and urgency to bring an end to human trafficking and ensure a brighter and safer future for all.. if not now . . . THEN WHEN?

Human trafficking can affect anyone, but certain individuals are indeed more vulnerable to falling prey to traffickers. Various risk factors increase the likelihood of someone becoming a victim of human trafficking:

1. Recent Migration or Relocation: Individuals who have recently migrated to new places or relocated to unfamiliar surroundings may be at higher risk due to their limited social networks and support systems.
2. Substance Use: People struggling with substance abuse issues can become more susceptible to exploitation as traffickers may exploit their dependency for control.
3. Mental Health Concerns: Those dealing with mental health challenges might be more vulnerable, as traffickers may take advantage of their emotional vulnerabilities and exploit their situations.
4. Involvement with the Child Welfare System: Youth who have had contact with the child welfare system might face instability, making them potential targets for traffickers seeking to exploit their vulnerabilities.
5. Runaway or Homeless Youth: Homeless and runaway youth are at higher risk as they lack stable living conditions and are more likely to be lured into trafficking situations with the promise of a better life.

Traffickers are adept at identifying and manipulating these vulnerabilities to establish control and dependency over their victims. Raising awareness about these risk factors and providing support and resources to vulnerable populations are crucial steps in combatting human trafficking and protecting potential victims.

Perpetrators of human trafficking come from diverse backgrounds and demographics, spanning all races, ethnicities, and genders. Their motivations and methods of control can vary greatly, and they may leverage their privilege, wealth, and power to exploit others.

Some traffickers use their socio-economic advantages to manipulate and control their victims, while others may face similar socio-economic challenges. The range of perpetrators includes individuals acting alone, business owners, members of organized criminal networks or gangs, parents or family members of victims, intimate partners, owners of agricultural establishments or restaurants, and even individuals in positions of significant power and influence, such as corporate executives and government representatives.

This diversity in perpetrators underscores the complexity of human trafficking and the need for comprehensive efforts to combat this heinous crime. It's essential to recognize that traffickers can come from any background, and addressing the issue requires a multifaceted approach that involves law enforcement, community awareness, support for survivors, and legislation that holds traffickers accountable, regardless of their social status or position. 

Human trafficking follows certain patterns, but every situation is distinct, making it essential to continuously gather more information and dispel misinformation. The trafficking hotline serves as a crucial resource, providing accurate information and a means to offer meaningful assistance to those in need. Whether it's finding a safe place to stay, connecting with an attorney or trauma counselor, arranging transportation, or seeking law enforcement intervention, the hotline plays a vital role in providing the necessary support and help to survivors.

The Trafficking Hotline has handled 82,301 situations of human trafficking since Polaris began operating it in 2007. Those situations comprise the largest known data set on human trafficking in the United States. With these tools, we can better respond to and prevent human trafficking. 

Many cases go unreported, making it a difficult crime for law enforcement to spot. Many trafficked victims, because they are technically committing a crime, do not come forward because they fear prosecution. That silences the victims! Traffickers often tell the victims, who are exploited for sex, that they are offenders, threating to call the police and report them for prostitution if they push back. They also threaten their lives and the lives of their families with death. Many of them are beaten down, (physically and mentally). ALL of them are abused in one way or another, The victims do not know who to trust and often do not speak the language of the country they are in.

1. It's always or usually a violent crime: Human trafficking often involves psychological manipulation, deception, or coercion rather than physical force. Most traffickers use cunning tactics to exploit victims for commercial sex or exploitative labor.
2. Traffickers target victims they don’t know: Contrary to the myth, traffickers can be romantic partners, including spouses, or even family members, such as parents, who exploit their own relatives.
3. Human trafficking only happens in illegal or underground industries: Human trafficking cases have been reported across various industries, including restaurants, cleaning services, construction, factories, and more.
4. Human trafficking involves moving across borders: Not all cases of human trafficking require movement. Victims can be recruited and trafficked within their own hometowns or even their own homes.
5. Consent to initial situations nullifies human trafficking claims: Regardless of initial consent, human trafficking occurs when force, fraud, or coercion is used to exploit individuals, regardless of their previous consent.
6. People being trafficked are physically unable to leave: While some may be physically restrained, others stay due to complex reasons such as fear for their safety, lack of resources to escape, or effective manipulation by the traffickers.
7. All commercial sex is human trafficking: Commercial sex involving minors is legally considered human trafficking. For adults, it is trafficking if they engage in commercial sex against their will due to force, fraud, or coercion.

Debunking these myths is vital to understanding the reality of human trafficking and providing effective support and assistance to survivors. Education and awareness are crucial in combatting this heinous crime.