Sex Trafficking
According to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000, sex trafficking is defined as a situation “in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age."
Examples of force include kidnapping, physical violence, sexual assault, and drugging. Examples of fraud include tricking the victim into thinking the trafficker loves him/her, telling the victim he/she is going to be a model, offering to provide basic needs without explaining true intention.
Examples of coercion include blackmailing, debt bondage, threats against the victim or victim’s family.
Contrary to common belief, physical abduction is not the primary method used by traffickers to trap their victims. Instead, the majority of sex trafficking cases involve a process known as grooming. In this method, traffickers manipulate victims through various means, such as offering assistance to overcome challenges or posing as a trusted friend or romantic partner.
Risk Factors
Sex trafficking doesn't discriminate; it can target anyone. However, certain factors increase the likelihood of vulnerability. Traffickers exploit these vulnerabilities in order to establish control over their victims. Significant risk factors include:
- Family instability
- Poverty
- Substance use
- History of abuse
- Runaway or homeless youth
- LGBTQI+
Certain risk factors are especially common among college students. These include:
Social Isolation
Some college students may experience social isolation, especially if they are far from home or having difficulty adjusting to campus life. Traffickers may exploit feelings of loneliness and isolation by offering companionship, friendship, or romantic relationships before coercing victims into trafficking situations.
Online Presence
College students are often active users of social media and online dating platforms, where traffickers may use deceptive tactics to lure victims into trafficking situations. Online grooming and recruitment can occur through fake job postings, fraudulent modeling opportunities, or romantic relationships initiated online.
Large Social Events
Concert venues, bars, music festivals and sporting events are places that traffickers use. Social events often involve the consumption of alcohol and drugs, which can impair judgment and decision-making, making individuals more vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation by traffickers.
Prevention
Educate Yourself
Learn about the tactics and warning signs of sex trafficking. Understanding how traffickers operate can help you recognize potential risks and protect yourself and others.
Trust Your Instincts
If something feels off or too good to be true, trust your instincts and proceed with caution. Be wary of offers that promise quick cash, job opportunities, or luxurious lifestyles, especially if they involve unfamiliar or suspicious individuals.
Practice Safe Socializing
Be cautious when attending social events, especially those organized by unfamiliar groups or individuals. Stick to well-lit and populated areas, avoid excessive alcohol or drug use, and always keep an eye on your drink to prevent tampering.
Stay Connected
Keep in regular contact with trusted friends, family members, or roommates, especially when attending parties or events. Share your plans and whereabouts with someone you trust and establish a check-in system to ensure your safety.
Be Mindful Online
Exercise caution when interacting with people online, especially on social media and dating platforms. Avoid sharing personal information or meeting strangers alone, and be skeptical of individuals who pressure you to meet in private or unfamiliar locations.
Seek Support
Familiarize yourself with resources and support services available in your community, including counseling centers, victim advocacy organizations, and hotlines for trafficking victims. Don't hesitate to reach out for help if you or someone you know is in need of assistance.
Recognizing The Signs
Those who are being trafficked might have their behavior controlled by someone else. This might look like:
- Not being able to speak on their own behalf.
- Inconsistent or scripted history.
- Fearful, anxious, depressed, overly submissive, and may avoid eye contact.
- Limited access to funds or funds held by someone else.
- Not being able to access their own identification documents
- Multiple pregnancies or abortions.
- Multiple sexually transmitted infections.
- Branding tattoos, such as words like ‘faith’, ‘loyalty’, and ‘money bags’, the trafficker’s moniker or initials, or images like crowns or those referencing money
- Old and new signs of physical abuse like bruises or scars
- Malnutrition, dehydration, and poor diet
- Has been denied food, water, sleep, and/or medical care.