By Molly England, Scary Mommy, January 8, 2021
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, so let’s get familiar with what human trafficking actually is and how you can help raise awareness about this heinous crime. Unfortunately, most likely human trafficking is happening in your community. Human trafficking includes forced labor and sexual exploitation; it can target any vulnerable child or adult.
Human trafficking occurs at the intersection of many vulnerabilities. Understanding risk factors helps prevent and identify human trafficking survivors. According to the Polaris Project, who operate the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline, known vulnerabilities may be recent relocation, substance use, mental health concerns, involvement with the child welfare system, and being a runaway or homeless youth.
Know the facts so you can help to recognize real life trafficking situations and then support victims to get help. Don’t believe sensational stories and conspiracy theories. Human trafficking is a crime and the needs of survivors are very real. Propagating myths is a disservice to survivors. Common myths are that human trafficking often involves kidnapping, that it’s happening somewhere else, and that sex trafficking is the only form of human trafficking.
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