Transcript Sex Trafficking

Sex Trafficking
Increasing Awareness and Prevention
Definition: Sex Trafficking
Commercial sex act induced by force, fraud, or
in which coercion or person induced to perform
such act is not 18 years of age
May include forced:
o Prostitution
o Stripping
o Pornography
Human Trafficking
A child (or an adult) may be
coerced into being a
o nanny
o maid
o worker in a sweatshop
o beggar
o farm laborer
o child soldier (in countries
engaged in civil war)
The Numbers?
o Reported sex trafficking cases
in the U.S. since 2007: almost
15,000
o Of missing and runaway
youth: 1 In 6 likely sex
trafficking victims
o Millions spent in payment to
the trafficker for children
Vulnerabilities
These factors may make a
young person more
vulnerable:
o Poverty
o History of abuse, neglect
o Loneliness or rejection
o Addiction
o Runaway or homelessness
o Lack of adult supervision
(physically or online)
Strategies of Traffickers
Force
Coercion
o Physical assault
o Sexual assault, rape
o Confinement or isolation
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Threats to life, safety, family
Threats of deportation
Withholding documents
Psychological manipulation
Blackmail
Fraud
o Employment offers
o False promises
o Posing as friend or romantic
partner
From Love 146
Risks for Youth Who are Trafficked
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Unintended pregnancy
Sexual violence
Drug or alcohol addiction
Isolation, emotional distress
School dropout
Abuse, physical harm, torture
Sexually transmitted infections
Arrest and incarceration
Murder
How to Be Wary of
Possible Intent to Traffick
• Inappropriate attention
from older partner
• Gifts such as new clothes,
new hairstyles,
manicures/pedicures
(“grooming”)
• Partner insisting on secrecy
(from parents and other
adults)
• Imbalance of control and
power in relationship
• Offers of alcohol or drugs
What to Do
• Avoid places that put you at risk, including
online
• If in a risky situation, try to get to a safe place
• Form friendships with others your age
• Recognize “grooming” behaviors
• Tell a trusted adult of your suspicions
• Seek assistance from a counselor, resource
officer, or administrator
Sex Trafficking is
Never the Fault of the Victim