Understanding Sex Trafficking

Sex trafficking is a heinous crime that exploits individuals for commercial sexual purposes. It affects millions globally, often targeting vulnerable populations including young girls, women, and marginalized communities. Understanding the dynamics of sex trafficking is the first step toward prevention. Trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide – including here in the United States. In the United States, some of the most vulnerable populations include American Indian/Alaska Native communities, lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-questioning individuals, individuals with disabilities, undocumented immigrants, runaway and homeless youth, and low-income individuals. These victims are deceived by false promises of love, a good job, or a stable life and are lured or forced into situations where they are made to work under deplorable conditions with little or no pay.

Victims can be found in legal and illegal labor industries, including child care, elder care, the drug trade, massage parlors, hair salons, restaurants, hotels, factories, and farms. In some cases, victims are hidden behind doors in domestic servitude in a home. Others are in plain view, interact with people on a daily basis, and are forced to work under extreme circumstances in exotic dance clubs, construction, health and beauty services, or restaurants. Sex trafficking exists within diverse and unique sets of venues and businesses including fake massage businesses, escort services, residential brothels, in public on city streets and in truck stops, strip clubs, hostess clubs, hotels and motels, and elsewhere.

Signs of Sex Trafficking

Recognizing the signs of sex trafficking can help save lives. Some common indicators include:

• Physical Signs of Injuries, signs of malnutrition, or lack of medical care.

• Behavior changes Fearfulness, anxiety, or submissiveness; a victim may avoid eye contact or exhibit signs of trauma.

• A person who is not allowed to speak for themselves, is closely monitored, or lacks personal identification.

• Person works long or excessive hours or is always available “on demand.”

• Clothing is inappropriately sexual or inappropriate for weather.

• Signs of unusual wealth without explanation—new jewelry, shoes, phones, expensive purses, without any known form of income.

• Multiple phones or social media accounts

• Branding such as name tattoos on face or chest, tattoos about money and sex, or phrases.

Common Myths:

Myth: All human trafficking involves commercial sex

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

Myth: Human trafficking involves moving, traveling or transporting a person across state or national borders

Myth: Traffickers target victims they don’t know

Myth: People being trafficked are physically unable to leave their situations/locked in/held against their will

Prevention Strategies

1. Education and Awareness: Knowledge is power. Educate yourself and your community about the realities of sex trafficking. Workshops and seminars can help raise awareness.

2. Community Engagement: Partner with local organizations, schools, and businesses to create a united front against trafficking. Encourage open discussions and share resources.

3. Support Victims: Establish support networks for at-risk individuals. Providing resources such as counseling, job training, and legal assistance can help empower those at risk.

4. Reporting Mechanisms: Familiarize yourself with local reporting mechanisms. Encourage others to report suspicious activities to authorities or organizations that specialize in trafficking prevention.

5. Advocacy: Advocate for stronger laws and policies that protect vulnerable populations and punish traffickers. Work with legislators to address systemic issues that contribute to trafficking.

Who Are the Traffickers?

Perpetrators of Trafficking span all racial, ethnic, and gender demographics and are as diverse as survivors. Some use their privilege, wealth, and power as a means of control while others experience the same socio-economic oppression as their victims. They include individuals, business owners, members of a gang or network, parents, family members, friends, intimate partners, owners of farms or restaurants, and powerful corporate executives and government representatives. Traffickers, like abusers, use cyclical violence to control victims by making promises of love or a better life and by using shame and manipulation. Traffickers use a variety of coercive methods to control their victims like love-bombing, gaslighting, or emotional blackmail, violence, threats, lies, false promises, debt bondage, or other forms of control to keep victims involved in the sex industry for their own profit. Some people in active sex trafficking situations do not recognize themselves as being victims because they have been expertly groomed by a trafficker to believe they have "chosen" to participate in commercial sex. Traffickers frequently target victims and then use violence, threats, lies, false promises, debt bondage, or other forms of control and manipulation to keep victims involved in the sex industry for their own profit.

Employers: 

• Comes on very strongly and promises things that seem too good to be true – i.e. promises extremely high wages for easy work.  

• Expects that you will agree to the employment or relationship on the spot and threatens that otherwise the opportunity will be lost.  

• Is unclear about the terms of employment, location of employment and/or the company details/credentials.  Partner/employer denies access to information about your rights.

Intimate Partners/Family/Friends

• Denies contact with friends or family or attempts to isolate you from your social network.  

• Constantly checks on you and does not allow you access to your money.

• Asks you to do things outside of your comfort zone such as performing sexual favors for friends.  

• Displays signs/characteristics of a dangerous person including attempts to control movement and behaviors, exhibits jealousy, lashes out or delivers punishment in response to noncompliance, is verbally/emotionally/physically abusive.  

• Uses threats or displays of violence to create a culture of fear.

Sex trafficking is a complex issue that requires a collective effort to combat. By educating ourselves, supporting victims, and advocating for change, we can create a safer environment for everyone. Together, we can make a difference and work towards a future free from exploitation.

For more resources and information on how you can help Thrive Center support survivors please click on our donate page.

If you believe you are a victim and are in need of resources, or if you've seen a concerning interaction or know someone who could be in danger, call the non-emergency Arizona sex trafficking hotline 1-877-4-AZTIPS (1-877-429-8477),

National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888, or Text “HELP” to 233733).