Re: Human Trafficking

“Oh yeah, when someone is kidnapped and sold overseas, right?” This is a response I have heard when I ask someone what human trafficking is. While trafficking can and does happen this way, it looks very different here with domestic sex trafficking. It is important that communities are aware and educated on the ways children and adults are trafficked for labor and sex in their own community. I wanted to dispel some of the myths about human trafficking.

Myth 1. Human Trafficking and Human Smuggling are the same thing. False.

Human trafficking is a violation of someone’s human rights. Human smuggling is a violation of a country’s immigration laws.

Myth 2. Sex Trafficking could never occur in legal business settings. False.

Sex Trafficking occurs in businesses like strip clubs, pornograghy, escort services, cantinas, hotels, massage parlors and more.

Myth 3. Victims of human trafficking will reach out for help. False.

Victims often don’t know they are victims of human trafficking. Sometimes they don’t know their rights or what their options are. They often feel judged by their community. Victim blaming is a huge problem. When we ask a victim or survivor questions like, “why didn’t you run?” or “why didn’t you just call 911?” we are placing the blame on them instead of the trafficker and making them feel like they have to defend themselves for a crime that was committed against them.

Myth 4. Only women and girls are victims of sex trafficking. False.

Men and boys are also trafficked. A common factor for men and boys is homelessness, runaways, and LGBTQ youth -- 380,000 youth experience homelessness annually.

Myth 5. Child sex trafficking could never occur in my community. False.

Child sex trafficking happens everywhere. In big cities, rural areas and small towns. Some factors are high transit areas, proximity to truck stops, presence of gangs, homelessness, and something in every home: internet access.

Myth 6. All traffickers are stereotypical pimps. False.

Just as anyone can be a buyer or victim, anyone can be a trafficker. It can be a family member (familial trafficking) a friend, a boss, a spouse, or someone involved in organized crime. It can be any race, gender or religion.

Myth 7. Human trafficking refers only to sex trafficking. False.

Labor trafficking can occur in any industry like agriculture, hospitality, nail salons, restaurants, janitorial work, construction sites, door to door sale crews, fruit stands and more.

Labor trafficking and labor exploitation are not the same thing. If someone uses force, fraud or coercion to induce a worker to remain in a position, they may be a victim of labor trafficking. If a worker is forced to work for less than minimum wage or is not paid for overtime, they are a victim of labor exploitation.

These are 7 of the 25+ ways humans are exploited. If you would like to learn more, I am available for trainings and speeches. You can reach me at jennamckaye.com.

Jenna Mckaye,

Marysville