Human Trafficking Awareness Month

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about human trafficking and educating the public on how to identify and prevent this crime. 4.5 million people worldwide are victims of forced sexual exploitation. Human trafficking is prevalent but frequently misunderstood. It changes with the times and often happens closer to home than some might believe. Join us in spreading awareness this year!

Here are some human trafficking myths to start the conversation to end human trafficking.

Human Trafficking Myths & Facts:

Myth: It’s always or usually a violent crime. 

Reality: Most human traffickers use psychological means such as tricking, defrauding, manipulating, or threatening victims into providing commercial sex or exploitative labor.

Myth: Traffickers target victims they don’t know.

Reality: Many survivors have been trafficked by romantic partners, including spouses, and by family members, including parents.

Myth: Human trafficking only happens in illegal or underground industries.

Reality: Human trafficking cases have been reported & prosecuted in industries including restaurants, cleaning services, construction, factories, & more.

Myth: Only women and girls can be victims and survivors of sex trafficking.

Reality: One study estimates that as many as half of sex trafficking victims & survivors are male, but that male victims are far less likely to be identified.

All myths & facts are from www.humantraffickinghotline.org, check out their website for more information. Get help by calling 1-888-373-7888 or texting 233733.