Sex trafficking is a major problem in the United States and globally, with teens among the most frequent targets of traffickers. This exploitation has a devious economic component as traffickers coerce or force children into sexual acts and situations that enable their predators to reap profits. Unfortunately, this activity largely flies under the radar as most citizens and even many law enforcement agencies are unaware of the ongoing occurrence of trafficking in their communities.

Survivors of human trafficking must contend with a host of emotional, health, and other problems stemming from their ordeals. Edwards Henderson fights on their behalf by seeking the compensation they need to heal and holding traffickers accountable in the courts.

Who Can Be Trafficked?

Anyone of any background can become a victim of human trafficking. Survivors of this modern-day form of slavery can include people of any age, race, nationality, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or immigration status.

Certain individuals may be more susceptible to trafficking depending on which country they are from, their living situation, and how strong the legal protections are. However, no one should assume that trafficking does not occur in their community.

If you are a victim of trafficking or you know someone who is, we encourage you to speak with our firm. We hold all inquiries and communications in confidence and will work to get the assistance that you or the victim need.

Why Are Teens Sex Trafficked?

Understanding sex trafficking and why it occurs can help people better grasp the pervasiveness of this problem and potentially report and put an end to it. Teens are one of the most vulnerable segments of the population, due to such reasons as:

• Lack of a stable home life that would protect the teenager from exploitation
• Dysfunctional families and those with abuse or domestic violence present
• Homelessness
• Running away from home
• Lack of sufficient care in the welfare and foster system
• Economic hardship and lack of employment
• Emotional, mental health, and psychological problems
• Isolation from family or community
• Displacement due to natural disasters
• Immigration status

In many cases, the causes of teen sex trafficking are owing to the broader community. For instance, many segments of the population distrust law enforcement and government agencies, so they refuse to report incidents of sex trafficking.

What Are the Signs of Sex Trafficking?

One of the best ways that everyday citizens can help put an end to sex trafficking is to know how to recognize it. Because sex trafficking is often subtle and can go undetected in a community for a long time, it is important to be aware of the following possible signs:

• A child with unusual amounts of money, property, and resources: Most children do not have large amounts of cash, prepaid cards, hotel keys, and key cards. It is also unusual for a young person to have multiple cell phones – a cell phone with many different encrypted communication apps could be a clue that something is wrong.
• Identification issues: Some children may not be able to produce an identification card (such as a driver’s license) because someone else owns it. A trafficker may hold an ID for different reasons, perhaps as a means of knowing where to find the child if they escape or to compel the child to cooperate.
• Communication problems: If a child appears coached and unable to conduct a normal conversation, or if the child looks to someone else to communicate on their behalf, this could suggest a problem. Another issue is that in which the child looks to another person for permission to speak, indicating they are not free or are afraid to do so on their own.
• Unusual tattoos: Incredibly, some traffickers use tattoos to “brand” children in much the same way that cattle are branded, and the child may be reluctant to explain the tattoo for this reason. If the child does not want to discuss the tattoo, this should raise a red flag.
• Chronic homelessness: Some children come from broken homes while others choose to keep running away. Regardless, a consistent pattern of homelessness not only makes the child vulnerable but could be the result of trafficking.
• Numerous school absences: A child who is being trafficked almost certainly will start missing school, sometimes for days or weeks at a time. If the child was involved in after-school or extracurricular activities connected with school, they may suddenly stop showing up to these as well.
• Abrupt social withdrawal: A teenager or child who suddenly breaks away from and cuts off their family and friends may be endangered. Traffickers thrive on their victims’ social isolation, so withdrawal makes it easier for them to prey on children.
• Unusual involvement of an adult: Does the child seem unusually close to an adult who is not a family member, and is the adult in question controlling or uncommunicative? If the adult refuses to allow the child to speak or be involved with others, this is not normal behavior and could be evidence of sex trafficking.

Organizations that Fight Human Trafficking

Here are some organizations that work to fight human trafficking and how they do it:

• HEAL Trafficking – Works to hold traffickers accountable and raise awareness of victims’ rights. With a network of over 4,000 survivors and professionals from various disciplines, HEAL also offers a toolkit for emergency departments, schools, and other establishments to help connect survivors with vital resources.
• National Human Trafficking & Disabilities Working Group (NHTDWG) – Works to prevent the trafficking of people with disabilities and to improve the health of survivors. Collaborating with professionals and other advocates, NHTDWG fills gaps in existing anti-trafficking services to meet the needs of disabled trafficking survivors.
• International Justice Mission (IJM) – Rescues victims of human trafficking and modern-day slavery, and works to bring traffickers to justice. Its mission includes working with justice systems, rescuing survivors helping them heal, and equipping others to put an end to trafficking.
• PACT – Works to end child sex trafficking through education, legislative advocacy, and private sector engagement. PACT not only raises awareness of sex trafficking and educates the public on signs to look for, but it also offers online training to empower workers in various industries (e.g. tourism and hospitality) to stop trafficking.
• Free the Slaves – Works to free people from slavery, help them rebuild their lives, and dismantle systems that allow slavery to continue. This group does so by engaging local communities, influencing policy and legislative changes, and providing education.
• Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women – A network of non-governmental organizations that work to protect the human rights of victims of trafficking. Recognizing that women make up a substantial portion of victims, this organization conducts focused research, communication, and advocacy.
• Global Centurion – An anti-trafficking organization that focuses on demand. Whereas many organizations fight those who engage in trafficking, this one attempts to strike at the root by addressing situations like poverty and lack of resources that make individuals more likely to be trafficked.
• Hope for Justice – Identifies and rescues victims, advocates on their behalf, and provides restorative care. Hope for Justice helps everyday people better understand how they, too, can volunteer and work to bring an end to trafficking in their communities.
• National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) – A 24-hour hotline that helps identify, protect, and serve victims of trafficking. There are multiple ways to contact this confidential, 24/7 hotline, which also allows individuals to provide tips about suspected trafficking.
• U.S. Department of Justice – Works to combat human trafficking. The DOJ’s work consists of (among other tactics) investigating and prosecuting traffickers, providing resources to survivors, and training authorities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

How to Fight Human Trafficking

Anyone can help put an end to human and sex trafficking. These are just a few of the ways you can help:

• Learn the signs of trafficking.
• Know about the various resources and how to connect survivors with them.
• Do research on the goods and services you patronize to ensure they do not provide financial support to traffickers.
• Volunteer with organizations like those mentioned above to stop trafficking and help survivors.
• Advocate at the local, state, and federal levels to effect legislative and policy changes.
• Become a mentor to a youth or other survivor.
• Use your social media or other position of influence to raise awareness.

Let Us Help if You or Someone You Know Needs Help with a Sex Trafficking Case

Our law firm plays a unique role in assisting survivors: by helping them win monetary compensation from traffickers which they need to heal and recover from their ordeals. This is the core mission of Edwards Henderson, and we are proud to serve as your dedicated and compassionate legal advocates. To learn more about our legal services or to get help for yourself or someone else in need, reach out to us today.