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August 29, 2024
Unfortunately, yes–anyone, anywhere can become a target for human traffickers1 (but I'll share some good news in a bit!). In fact, this crime affects people from all backgrounds, and there’s no standard victim profile. That’s because research shows a complex mix of risk and protective factors contributes to vulnerability, making it impossible to pinpoint a single cause or a particular person's vulnerability.2,3,4,5
And wherever there’s a risk–like isolation, conflict or low self-esteem–there’s a vulnerability that someone might prey on. And unfortunately, predators excel at identifying vulnerabilities.
But another way to look at this is that no single factor guarantees trafficking, so don’t panic if any apply to you or your loved ones. And although trafficking research is in its early stages, we can use the available information to empower ourselves, manage risks and increase protection.6
The good news–every effort to do this actively diminishes predators’ power, ultimately helping keep you and your loved ones safe.7
After rounding up literature on what increases the risk of human trafficking, let’s focus on 4 emerging themes:
Dysfunctional and unsafe households can include things like substance ab**e, running away from home and domestic violence, but it also includes things such as divorce, single parent households, mental illness, and family conflict.
Childhood maltreatment includes all forms of ab**e (physical, emotional and s**ual) and neglect. Most people associate ab**e with extreme cases such as beatings or s**ual ab**e. However, according to trauma therapist Patrick Teahan, less obvious factors such as spanking, emotionally distant caregivers or s**ually unhealthy parents can also contribute to dysfunctional families.
I recommend checking out Patrick’s video “Was I ab**ed?”. While it focuses on adults reflecting on their childhood, it offers helpful information on subtle and less well-known (but possibly more common) ways children can experience childhood trauma and dysfunction.
And if you identify with something listed, know that it’s okay to struggle; we all experience challenges and need help at times. Often one of the best things we can do for our loved ones is to work on healing ourselves. So please, don’t hesitate to reach out to professionals and get the help you need and deserve.
You have the power to break the cycle and change the trajectory for yourself and your loved ones.
The good news is that there are proactive things we can do to lessen these risks.
“Family connections are incredibly powerful in preventing human trafficking.”20 Survivors have expressed that a lack of familial connection, love and belonging made them vulnerable to traffickers who promised to fulfill those needs.21
Nurturing environments with warm relationships, open communication, appropriate boundaries, and consistent, nonviolent discipline can reduce the risk of unhealthy behaviours.22 Be a safe presence for your child, addressing their struggles, and ensure they feel comfortable confiding in you or another trusted person.23
Educating your loved ones about human trafficking helps protect them from exploitation. Many lived experience experts talk about how they didn’t know about human trafficking until it was too late.24
Talk about what it is, how to recognize it, and the different forms of trafficking around you. Keep conversations open, honest and age appropriate to empower your loved ones to identify risky situations and make healthy decisions.25
Promoting healthy relationships, both with others and oneself, is crucial for effective human trafficking prevention. Teaching healthy relationships and skills empowers individuals to recognize and avoid exploitative situations.26 Skills can include unhealthy relationship signs, setting boundaries, modelling consent, resolving conflict, and communicating effectively.27,28
Nurturing a healthy relationship with oneself by fostering self-worth, problem-solving skills, self-awareness, emotional well-being, and boundary-setting contributes to personal resilience, making individuals less vulnerable to manipulation and abuse.29,30
With the majority of identified s** trafficking victims recruited online31, keeping children safe requires proactive involvement from parents and caregivers:
Explore resources like NCMEC’s NetSmartz, The Prevention Project, and Influenced Parent Academy from Exodus Road for additional guidance and learning tools.
Begin internet safety training early to prepare kids for safe online experiences as they mature. Gradually adapt your parenting approach to grant more independence during teenage years, focusing on open communication and trust. Instead of a heavy-handed approach, adopt a mentorship role, guiding them in assessing risks, problem-solving, and decision-making.43 Trust your instincts and adjust monitoring or take appropriate actions based on your child's specific needs.
While exploitation can affect anyone, we aren’t helpless. By understanding the factors that can increase vulnerability, we can take proactive, empowered steps. Together, through awareness, education, and a supportive environment, we can create safer communities and protect ourselves and our loved ones from the dangers of human trafficking.
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