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what is sex trafficking?
The U.S. Congress has defined and classified human trafficking into two categories – sex trafficking and labor trafficking. Sex trafficking involves the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person forced to perform such an act is younger than age 18. A commercial sex act means any sex act on account of which anything of value is given to or received by any person. Types of sex trafficking include prostitution, pornography, stripping, live-sex shows, mail-order brides, military prostitution, and sex tourism.
the problem
There is an estimated 24.9 million victims of human trafficking worldwide.
Approximately 40% of victims of trafficking are recruited by immediate family members or close family friends.
Globally, the human trafficking industry earns $150 billion annually, and $99 billion comes from commercial sexual exploitation.
The average age a teen enters the sex trade in the US is 12 to 14 years old.
Survivors of sex trafficking suffer from severe physical, emotional, and mental health challenges.
Currently, there is a shortage of safe housing and supportive services for trafficked victims.
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Warning signs of human trafficking
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A victim of sex trafficking often appears to be under someone else's control and is not free to leave or come and go as he/she wishes.
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The victim is not in control of his or her own money, and has no financial records, or bank account. Similarly, the victim is not in control of his or her own identification documents.
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A victim will often have a lack of knowledge of whereabouts and/or what city he or she is in and a loss of sense of time. They may state claims of just visiting and inability to clarify where they are staying or the specific address.
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The individual will often show signs of substance abuse or addiction in the form of alcohol or drug use. This is typically as a means of dependency by the trafficker.
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Since victims will experience threat or actual physical harm they can exhibit signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement, or torture.
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The individual is fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous/paranoid. They may exhibit angry and aggressive or depressed and anxious behavior.
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The victim will exhibit unusually fearful or anxious behavior in the mentioning or presence of law enforcement.
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Tattoos or brandings are often used by pimps as a way to brand victims and claim ownership.
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Pregnancy and abortion at a young age may be common, as well as repeated unwanted pregnancies.
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Individuals may have few or no personal possessions. They have a limited amount of clothing, of which a large proportion is sexual.
Download our free ebook to learn more about the warning signs of human trafficking
Victims are often times hidden away, but it is possible that you will encounter individuals or situations of concern. Knowing how to accurately ‘spot the signs’ has the power to save lives.
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Traffickers find victims through
PROMISES MADE BY TRAFFICKERS
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