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During my childhood, the term "sex trafficking" wasn't as widely recognized as it is in contemporary society. Instead, we commonly heard about "pimps" who forced women to work on the streets and treated them as their possessions. In addition, we read about women from underdeveloped countries being taken advantage of by being employed without pay in exchange for board and lodging. This issue isn't just limited to America; it is a global problem and a form of modern-day slavery. Unfortunately, the sex trafficking industry is worth millions of dollars, and with changes in family dynamics, such as longer working hours for parents, minors are becoming more vulnerable to being sex trafficked
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Our aim is to provide a temporary safe haven for those in need until they can get the help and support they require. Whether you're fleeing from domestic violence, abuse, or any other form of danger, our doors are open to you.
Please know that you are not alone, and there is always help available. If you or someone you know is in need of a safe space, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to support and assist you in any way we can
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Teen sex trafficking is defined by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 as: “the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act”. It involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to make a minor commit commercial sex acts. Sex trafficking is preventable. Understanding the shared risk and protective factors for violence can help us prevent sex trafficking from happening in the first place.”
Teens get trafficked in so many ways. A quick test to see if you are being trafficked is that you’re being forced (someone is physically forcing you), or you are being coerced (you are told that you owe a debt to them, so you must comply).
Signs of sex trafficking:
- Signs of physical abuse, such as burn marks, bruises or cuts
- Unexplained absences from school/class
- Less appropriately dressed than usual
- Over sexualized behavior
- Overly tired in class
- Withdrawn, depressed, distracted, or “checked out”
- Brags about making, or having lots of money
- New tattoos of a name, symbol of money or barcode
- Victim has an older boyfriend or new friends with a different lifestyle
- Shows signs of gang affiliation
- Talks about wild parties and/or invites other students to attend them
For Example:
Let’s say that you have a new friend & you think that maybe he/she is a trafficking victim. You may wonder why your friend would stay; there are lots of reasons, though they are not good ones:
- Your friend may have fallen in love with the trafficker
- Your friend would rather do this than be back on the street
- The trafficker may have threatened your friend’s family or friends
- The trafficker might have intimidated your friend so much they can’t see a way out
- The “system” rejected your friend when they reached out for help
- Your friend may be too embarrassed to admit they didn’t realize what was happening before it escalated.
Sex Trafficking Scenario
Many young girls end up in sex trafficking, not by choice, but by trusting a friend or that older boyfriend. If you decide you want to be with an older guy, be careful he’s not luring you into sex trafficking.
Kimberley is a 14-year-old girl, who comes from a broken home. Her parents are always at work, and Kimberley is lonely day at night. She meets Andy, who is 19, and because he’s showing her love, Kimberley starts trusting Andy. He buys her gifts and gives her money and makes her feel special. Kimberley does not know that Andy is grooming her. One day, Andy starts an argument and tells Kimberley their relationship is over. She begs him not to leave. Now she is in his web, and his grip on Kimberley is working. He tells her he wants the money back he gave her. Kimberley cries and says she doesn’t have it; he tells her he will hurt her family. However, she can buy off the debt by taking some drugs across town. She doesn’t know she’s being set up, and Kimberley gets robbed. Andy gets mad and says he’s going to hurt her family. Kimberley pleads with him to give her another chance. But instead of the debt being $500 dollars, plus drugs, it’s now a $1000.
Kimberley is sent to deliver drugs again, and thinks she’s going to deliver $1500 worth of drugs. She gets robbed again. Now the trap has been set. She Know owes $3000; the debt has tripled. She does not know how to pay off the debt she owes, and it is in the hands of a sex trafficker to pay off her debt and to save her family from being killed.
If a guy shows an interest in you and lavishes you with gifts, knowing that you are under age, please don’t accept them. It’s not only men that groom young girls. Women and other teen girls are also luring young girls into the world of sex trafficking.
How Do I Help My Friend?
- Listen
- Make sure the know this is Not okay, and is Not love
- Find out who they could go to for help and share that information
- Be a friend – don’t judge
- Be patient, it may take some time for her to get the courage to act.
Can Someone Break Free from This Life?
Yes! There is help. You don’t have to stay. Sex trafficking is not only wrong, but it is illegal. Even if you’re selling yourself for sex it is not your fault! To get out, you CAN tell a trusted adult or police officer, or you can call 1-888-373-7888
Get help, report a tip, find services, and learn more about your options. The National Human Trafficking Hotline provides assistance to victims in crisis through safety planning, emotional support, and connections to local resources.
Visit disclaimer page
CALL 1-888-373-7888
TEXT HELP to BEFREE (233733)
EMAIL [email protected]
VISIT www.humantraffickinghotline.org Visit disclaimer page
CONFIDENTIAL | TOLL-FREE | 24/7
VISIT https://www.acf.hhs.gov/otip/fact-sheet/resource/fshumantrafficking
