Learn about the growing crisis.
It could be happening in your own neighbourhood.
Education is the Key to Awareness
The reality of sex trafficking needs to be discussed openly and candidly. The vastness and rapid increase of exploitation around the world is appalling. To heighten awareness, there needs to be freedom to discuss this crisis.
This is happening daily right around the block from you, sometimes hidden in plain sight. The signs may be so small that we hardly notice them, or sadly choose to overlook them. But if we pay more attention to those subtle red flags, we could be the change in that survivor’s life.
Unfortunately, sex trafficking is not exclusive to certain age groups. You may not want to hear this, as it was hard even for me to comprehend the truth, but sadly children even less than a year old get trafficked.
What I’m sharing with you is from my acquired knowledge and personal experience. If you would like additional resources or information, I have added links at the bottom of this page.
Most people don’t realize what's going on behind the scenes with these survivors. Many times it may appear like they are being rebellious teenagers/children who struggle with things such as mental health, impulsive/risky behaviour, or substance use. While that may be the case, sometimes there's more to the story.
A sex trafficker’s goal is to scare you enough to continue working for them, or make you reliant on them so you believe you will never be anything without them. Over time it seems impossible to escape, and you start to believe all the lies and deceit — for years, I did.
These traffickers can keep their victims trapped and under control by using:
Fear and intimidation
Threats against them and their family
Drug dependancy
Extreme emotional highs and lows that cause “trauma bonding”
Manipulation in the form of mental, emotional, verbal or physical abuse
Why are sex traffickers targeting young children?
One big reason why these children/teenagers are targeted is because young minds are like sponges, which makes it easier for traffickers to brainwash their victims into believing what’s happening to them is normal.
What are some key things sex traffickers look for when selecting their victims?
Low self-esteem
Loneliness
Unstable family relationships & fatherless homes
Previous exposure to abuse
Financial needs
Emotional needs
Substance-use issues
Sex traffickers often evaluate their victims’ needs/wants and lie, promising them a “dream life” where they will provide their financial, educational, emotional, or even basic needs.
