Get the Facts
The United States State Department defines sex trafficking as when a person is required to engage in a commercial sex act as the result of force, threats of force, fraud, coercion or any combination of such means.
Human trafficking encompasses several types of exploitation:
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forced labor
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sex trafficking
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forced marriage
Statistics
Reliable statistics related to the sex and human trafficking industries are difficult to gather and analyze, both internationally and domestically. This lack of available data is due to:
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the hidden nature of the crime
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challenges in identifying individual victims
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gaps in data accuracy and completeness
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significant barriers regarding the sharing of victim information among various stakeholders
Still, we know that women and girls are disproportionately impacted by human trafficking.
Knowledge Is Power
Although not all sex work is considered trafficking, it’s important to know that if you are selling sex or performing sexual acts against your will, you are legally a trafficking victim. Common types of sex trafficking include escort services, pornography, illicit massage businesses, brothels, and outdoor solicitation.
Risk Factors
Often, traffickers prey on victims’ vulnerabilities to create dependency. Significant risk factors include:
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a recent move or migration
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drug or alcohol use
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mental health concerns
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having experienced violence in the past
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unstable family life or involvement with the child welfare system
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being a runaway or homeless youth
National Sex Trafficking Hotline
Call: 888.373.7888 | Text: INFO to 233733
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call: 800.799.7233 | Text: BEGIN to 288788
National Sexual Violence Hotline
Call: 800.656.4673
National Suicide Hotline
Call: 988 | Text: 988
FIND HELP TODAY
If you or someone you know is in danger, don't hesitate to get help.
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4.9 million
women and girls in forced commercial sexual exploitation.
3.3 million
are children under the age of 18
3 times more
risk of forced labour for migrant workers.
The Numbers
The International Labour Organization’s 2022 report Global Estimates of Modern Slavery, revealed some shocking numbers.
27.6 million
people around the world were victims of trafficking between 2016-2021.
US$ 236 billion
generated in illegal profits every year.