Sex Trafficking Affects Everybody

By Sara Forcella, See the Triumph Contributor

The term “sex trafficking” may resonate differently with us all--for some of us this term is completely unfamiliar and unknown, and for others this term may remind you of  a scene in a  dramatic movie or book. Whether you are completely unaware of sex trafficking, or you believe that it only happens in some far off land, I urge you to consider that sex trafficking is a very real concern which affects thousands of Americans every year.

These statistics show just how much sex trafficking affects our nation.

• About 2 million children around the world are victims of commercial sexual exploitation (CDC).
  
• 1 in 3 children are lured into commercial sexual exploitation within the first 48 hours of being on the street (Dep. of Health & Human Services).
  
• Human trafficking is an estimated $10 billion industry in America (Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report).
  
• Human trafficking is tied with the illegal arms industry as the fastest growing and the second largest criminal industry in the world today (Department of Health & Human Services, Rescue & Restore Campaign).
  
  

What exactly is sex trafficking? Sex trafficking is commercialized sex trade in which people may be stolen, forced and/or coerced into the business against their will. Sex traffickers (“those who recruit, transport, harbor, obtain, and exploit victims, often using force, threats, lies, or other physical and psychological methods of control”) usually target member’s of vulnerable populations (Polaris Project). Typically vulnerable populations are made up of women, children and those living in poverty. The Polaris Project reminds us, however, that there is no one particular portfolio of any trafficking victim. Victims can be men or women, adults or children, U.S. citizens or undocumented immigrants, well-educated or uneducated; however, all victims face the reality and terror of being in the sex trafficking industry.

Sex trafficking does not only happen in far off nations or non-fiction novels, it may be happening right in your backyard. In fact, victims of sex trafficking have been found in all 50 US states in areas ranging from cities, suburbs and rural areas (Polaris Project). No community in the US is left unaffected. Sex trafficking is not something that is always hidden, in some instances, the industry relies on various legal and legitimate business settings all around the US to traffic their victims. Victims of sex trafficking may be forced to work in brothels, online escort services, fake massage business, strip clubs and as prostitutes (Polaris Project).

Whether you have been directly affected by this or indirectly affected, sex trafficking affects us all in some way or another. Therefore, it’s important for all of us to take a stand and help end its existence. This may seem like a daunting and unreasonable task, but there are small and simple steps that you can take to help victims and possible future victims of sex trafficking.

• One way that you can help is by raising public awareness of the issue.
  
• Don’t turn a blind eye, or act like it doesn't affect you.
  
• Talk  about it: speak up on social media, discuss it with your friends and family, maybe even become an advocate.
  
• Pay attention to local and national laws that affect both victims and traffickers.
  
• End the stigma that victims of sex trafficking face, and understand that those involved with sex trafficking  are not willing participants.
  
• Keep an eye out for businesses, children or people who seem unusually frightened or misplaced--if something does not seem right, pay attention to your intuition.

If you have any information, tips or questions related to sex trafficking, call The National Human Trafficking Resource Center’s toll-free hotline, at 1-888-373-7888