What Every Teen Needs To Know: Facts About Human Trafficking🦋

Key Takeaways

• Human trafficking touches millions of lives worldwide. In recent years, 27.6 million victims were reported by the United Nations Office and International Labour Organization.
• Trafficking includes both use of force in labor (77% of cases) and the sex trade (23%), according to the Department of Justice, Polaris Project, and The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
• Traffickers use tactics including fraud, coercion, fake job offers, debt bondage, threats, confiscating vital documents (like passports), romantic manipulation, drugs dependency, and sometimes abduction to trap human trafficking victims.
• Warning signs of trafficking may include unexplained injuries, sudden changes in behavior, tattoos used for ownership, odd or excessive work hours without pay, limited freedom, or debts that can't be repaid.
• Teens should be aware of high risk areas like truck stops or online spaces. They can report any concerns to a trusted adult, or they can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 1-888-373-7888, or texting “HELP” to 233733 (BEFREE).

What is Human Trafficking?

Human traffickers force or trick young people into working or taking part in commercial sex acts against their will. They may force victims of human trafficking to work undesirable jobs, clean houses in domestic servitude, or take part in child pornography.

The majority of victims are trapped into illegal labor trafficking by false promises of high paying jobs or desirable conditions. Other forms of trafficking like debt bondage occurs when a trafficker offers a monetary loan to a victim that becomes impossible to pay back.

In trafficking cases that involve children, any participation in commercial sexual exploitation is considered child sex trafficking under federal law. The United Nations Office and International Labour Organization reported 27.6 million child victims globally in the past few years.

Sex traffickers often target teens and potential victims through social media or even family members.

Among the reported human trafficking cases worldwide, 77% involve forced exploitative labor such as construction work, and 23% relate to sex trade activities, according to Department of Justice data.

Organizations like the National Human Trafficking Hotline help link survivors of sex trafficking with law enforcement and healthcare professionals across the United States government network.

Key Facts Teens Should Know

Traffickers use various coercion techniques to exploit youth and teens. They tend to target vulnerable individuals, using manipulation, threats of violence and deceit to lure them into dangerous situations.

Common methods traffickers use to exploit victims

Human traffickers exploit their victims using various methods of force, fraud, and coercion to trap people in horrifying situations. Here are some human trafficking facts you should know:

• Physical force is often used by traffickers to control their victims. This may mean hitting or other forms of physical abuse.
• Fraud is another tool they might use. For example, promising a good job with high pay, sponsoring education, or even promising a better life to lure victims in.
• Coercion is also common. Traffickers often confiscate important identity related documents like passports. They may threaten to harm the victim's family.
• Some traffickers use romantic relationships and false promises as a way to slowly isolate their victim (their intimate partner) away from friends and family.
• Victims may be forced to work for little or no pay. Traffickers use this method to tie them down with impossible debts that they can't repay.
• Traffickers have also been known to use threats of arrest or deportation against victims in a new country who may not understand their rights.
• Those that focus on child trafficking may promise education or training for the children.
• Traffickers that offer drugs as a way of creating dependency is another clever tactic. Over time, victims find it hard to leave since they are dependent the drugs they were given.
• Blatant abduction, although less common, is still used especially in cases with very young victims or remote areas.

Understanding these various tactics can help your teenagers stay safe and protect others around you from getting trapped by these crimes.

Warning signs of human trafficking

Human trafficking is a major issue that can ruin lives. The ability to recognize signs can lead to potentially life-saving rescues. Here's what your teenager needs to know when it comes to identifying signs of trafficking:

• Unpredictable shifts in behavior could hint that someone you know may be a trafficking victim. For example, if they suddenly are showing off a new, expensive item like a phone or clothes without a clear financial source.
• Another indicator is physical injuries. Look out for unexplained bruises, cuts, or other signs of physical abuse.
• Watch out for underage youth spending time with significantly older friends or partners.
• Kids skipping school often or running away may signal distress. Teens that are missing school or leaving home regularly may be under the control of another person.
• Keep an eye out for new tattoos, symbols, names, or barcodes that seem strange. These might be used to identify them as a someone's property.
• Excessive working hours, like domestic work with little compensation and few breaks could be a sign of labor trafficking.
• A big sign is when an individual has limited freedom. If a person seems under constant surveillance, it could mean they are in danger.
• If they mention having a large, unpayable debt, it may signal debt bondage, a common type of labor exploitation linked to human trafficking.
• If they don't have any identity documents in their possession, they may have been are taken away by another person.
• Watch out for heightened security measures surrounding workplaces or residences as well.

Human trafficking victims may not always ask for help out of fear, or even possible misunderstanding by law enforcement. It's up to you to report these situations if you see them.

How Teens Can Stay Safe and Help Others

Teens can protect themselves from trafficking by becoming aware of risky environments, warning signs, and knowing how to ask for help. They should also share what they learn about human trafficking with friends.

Recognizing risky situations and seeking help

The first step to safety is recognizing risky situations and signs of trafficking.

1. Pay attention to environments that feel uncomfortable or dangerous. Places like truck stops are common trafficking hubs that prey on vulnerable people.
2. Watch out for adults displaying unusual behavior when they are around young people. If someone appears to be overly controlling or manipulative, this may be a sign of potential exploitation.
3. Be cautious of online interactions with potential romantic partners. Traffickers can leverage sensitive information that you've shared in private chats to manipulate you into trusting them.
4. If you have friends that often disappear or change their routines suddenly, these shifts may indicate possible danger.
5. Know where to get help if you're feeling unsafe or are worried someone you know might be at risk. Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text "HELP" to 233733 (BEFREE).
6. Stay updated with local resources and organizations that combat trafficking in your area, such as official government organizations that focus on human rights.
7. Reach out to a trusted adult if you've found yourself in a situation. They can offer you guidance and support.
8. Report any potential cases of human trafficking whenever you feel something isn't quite right. Taking quick action can prevent further exploitation.
9. Know that homeless youth are at a much higher risk for trafficking because of their lack of support systems.
10. Keep up to date about the warning signs of sex trafficking victims.
    
    

Taking these steps can help protect both you and your teens while empowering other young people against this serious crime.

Educate Your Teen Today

Now that you are clear on the important facts about human trafficking, you will be in a better place to stay safe as well as protect others. Share what you've learned with friends and family, so that they can spread the word and keep others safe too. Every person's participation makes a difference in the fight against modern slavery.

Stay informed, get involved, and support organizations like Hope Against Trafficking that combat human trafficking in your local community of Pontiac, Michigan.

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