What is Human Trafficking

What should be the church response? How can we spread the message of Hope to this population?

Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to control an individual for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or labor services against their will. Contrary to popular belief, trafficking does not always include physical transportation, and in many cases, the victim/survivor does not even know they are being trafficked. It can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race, socio-economic background, sexual orientation, and location.

Sex trafficking involves the recruitment, harboring, transportation, or soliciting or a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act, in which that act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion. Sex trafficking can take place in venues such as brothels and escort services, but it can also be carried out via the internet or interpersonally.

Labor trafficking also involves the recruitment, harboring, transportation, or soliciting of a person using force, fraud, and coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, debt bondage, or slavery. Labor trafficking can take place in many settings from domestic work and small businesses to factories and large farms.

While the common perception of trafficking involves dramatic kidnappings and keeping individuals locked up against their will, this is not always the case. Trafficking, like abuse, is complicated and heavily rooted in power and control. Oftentimes the person being trafficked might feel that they are in a loving relationship, and believe that they have to do what the trafficker is saying for the sake of the relationship. For example, the trafficker might say that they, as a couple, need more money to be able to stay together, and the only way to make that money is through trafficking. In other words, the road that leads an individual into being trafficked can be insidious and can start with what seems like a healthy, loving relationship.

Human Trafficking and Disability

People with disabilities are more vulnerable to trafficking, in part because some individuals with disabilities rely on caregivers who can exploit their vulnerability. For example, a caregiver may take advantage of an individual’s inability to consent, either through the misuse of medications, assistive technologies, or other strategies of power and control.

Did you Know? Contrary to popular belief or misunderstanding, trafficking does not always include physical transportation, and in many cases, the victim/survivor does not even know they are being trafficked.

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