What is Human Trafficking?

 Human Trafficking is modern day slavery and involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act.  

• Sex trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, obtaining patronizing or soliciting of a person for the purpose of commercial sex. Commercial sex occurs when anything of value - money, drugs, rent is given to or received by any person in exchange for a sex act.
• Adults are deemed victims of criminal sex trafficking when they are exploited into a commercial sex act through force, fraud, or coercion. 
• Minors under age 18 are deemed victims of sex trafficking when they are persuaded into a commercial sex act, regardless of whether force, fraud, or coercion are used. 

• Human Trafficking is the most prevalent form of modern day slavery
• The average age is 11-14 years old.
• The average life span of a victim is 4- 7 years ( some victims are found dead from an attack, abuse, STD's, overdose, malnutrition or suicide.)
• Human Trafficking earns global profits of roughly $150 billion a year for traffickers, $99 billion of which comes from commercial sexual exploitation
• globally, an estimated 71% of enslaved people are women and girls, while men and boys account for 29%
• Victims are forces to have sex up to 10- 20 times a day on average

 Grooming:

Grooming is a stage is in the recruitment process. A pimp (trafficker) can be a man or a woman, young or older. Most pimps use manipulation to lure in potential victims. Traffickers will sometimes use another person to do the manipulation before you're even introduced to them. The pimp will appear as a friend and try to play the part of a boyfriend/girlfriend. They will work slowly to gain your trust and to isolate you. They become the only person who really listens to you, but they are only listening to know your vulnerabilities. The pimp will listen to your dreams and ambitions and even your frustrations and pains, Then offer you a way out of the pain in your life or a way to reach your dreams. They will appear to be a safe escape.

Traffickers use many tactics to lure their victims. 

Here are some warning signs: 

• Taking you shopping
• wine and dine you
• provide you with things you want or need
• offer photo shoots for "modeling"
• giving you small amounts of drugs to slowly get you hooked
• suggest a way to make fast money
• use other girls to invite you to hang out
• even ask you to invite your friends to come hangout
• suggest a makeover for you
• take you on trips

These tactics are used to make you feel as though he did things for you and know you owe him or to make you feel like he has your back. but its all a game.

 Signs and Red Flags of Sex Trafficking: 

Recognizing key indicators of human trafficking is the first step in identifying victims of human trafficking and can help save a life.

• Lying about age, fake ID
• Frequently missing school/ falling asleep in school
• Hotel room keys
• Restricted communication, no eye contact with people
• Older boyfriend, dominating boyfriend
• Large amounts of cash
• Sudden dramatic change in behavior
• Seem fearful, timid
• Has branding/tattoo display “daddy” 
• Inappropriate clothing for the weather or venue
• Uses slang or code words used in the commercial sex industry
• Disconnected from family,friends, or house of worship
• Doesn’t know what day of the week it is
• Does the person appear to be coached on what to say