Debunking Commons Myths About Sex Trafficking 

When the majority of people think of sex trafficking, they think of the image we were all taught to fear as children. A person in an unmarked van approaches a woman, and she is snatched off the street and soon forced to perform sex acts against her will. This is the “stranger danger” we were all told to be on the lookout for. And while we still must be conscious of this phenomenon, exclusively viewing trafficking as such does a disservice to the real-world fight against it. Failing to understand what trafficking actually looks like means missing the ability to see when it is happening around us or maybe even to us. 

But first – what is human trafficking? Well, there are two categories: sex trafficking and labor trafficking. For the purposes of this article, we will be focusing on sex trafficking, which is defined by the Polaris Project as “the crime of using force, fraud or coercion to induce another individual to have sex. Common types include escort services, pornography, illicit massage businesses, brothels, and outdoor solicitation.” 

So, what are some of the common misconceptions about sex trafficking that we need to be aware of? 

Myth 1: Traffickers Are Always Strangers

One of the biggest misconceptions about trafficking is the idea that traffickers are strangers lurking in the shadows of the world. The reality is, perpetrators are far more likely to target people they know, people with whom they’ve already established trust. According to data from organizations like the Polaris Project and the National Human Trafficking Hotline, victims are frequently trafficked by intimate partners, spouses, family members, or acquaintances. Traffickers who know their victims are better able to exploit their needs, such as the need for money, shelter, food, and emotional security. 

Myth 2: Trafficking Always Involves Kidnapping By Physical Force

A lot of people seem to believe that an individual has to be held against their will in order to be a victim of sex trafficking. But this is not always the case. While physical restraint certainly does occur, that is not the reality for most victims. Instead, traffickers rely on psychological tactics to keep their victims engaged in commercial sex. They exert their control by threatening the needs they are providing their victim. For example, threatening to withhold money or shelter, withholding personal identification and other important documents, exploiting legal status or substance dependency, exploiting trauma bonds, or offering false promises, just to name a few. So when people ask, “Why didn’t they just leave?” it’s because they didn’t feel like they could. It is also important to understand that victims of sex trafficking might not always recognize that they have been victimized. Through expert grooming techniques, perpetrators can lead victims to believe they are consensually engaging in commercial sex. 

Myth 3: Human Trafficking Only Happens Across Borders

Human trafficking and human smuggling are often viewed as one and the same, but they are not. Human smuggling “is the illegal facilitation, transportation or attempted entry of a person across an international border, in violation of a country’s laws.” Human trafficking doesn’t require moving – in fact, it can be as “stationary” as victims being trafficked in their own home. 

Myth 4: Only Women and Girls Are Affected

Although women and girls are disproportionately targeted, individuals from all genders, ages, and socioeconomic levels can experience sex trafficking. 

Myth 5: All Commercial Sex = Human Trafficking

Any time a minor is involved in commercial sex, that legally constitutes human trafficking. However, adults involved in commercial sex that are not doing it through force, fraud or coercion are not considered victims. As previously stated, some perpetrators expertly groom their victims to believe that they are engaging in commercial sex of their own free will. This is not the same as individuals who, without “force, fraud or coercion”, engage in commercial sex on their own. 

Myth 6: Adult Sex Trafficking Victims Need Rescuing

Believing that we need to “rescue” adult survivors is not only counterproductive, but it is also dangerous. While the eagerness to help is well-intentioned, that framework suggests that these individuals are helpless and often leads to further victimization. “Rescuing” an adult survivor of sex trafficking strips them of their autonomy – true recovery requires an individual to make their own choices at their own pace. It also ignores the complex trauma bond that exists between survivor and trafficker. Removing a survivor from a situation before they are ready can lead to additional psychological harm. Extraction requires trauma-informed psychological support which not all individuals are equipped to provide. It also requires that the survivor rebuild a life that includes safer housing, proper case management, job readiness training, and more. “Rescuing” a person also means assuming that they are suddenly “safe.” However, this fails to look at the vulnerabilities they were experiencing that may have led to the victimization in the first place. This includes lack of housing, substance dependency, immigration status/fear of deportation, and more. Without addressing these structural concerns, survivors can fall back into the same patterns, and they may be put in further danger as a result of retaliation from their trafficker. 

So what can we do about it?

To help survivors of sex trafficking, we must adopt a survivor-centered, trauma-informed approach. Focusing on survivors’ rights, wishes, and autonomy is key. Basic needs like safe, long-term housing, economic security, and comprehensive healthcare must be met in order to help survivors. As individuals, we can assist in those efforts in several ways. Supporting grassroots organizations with monetary donations or volunteering your professional time can make a difference. Professional skills such as resume writing, accounting, or legal aid are skills that are always in demand. Voting for policies that address the root causes of trafficking is another way you can help. And lastly – education. Understanding what trafficking actually is can better help us spot and support someone in need. 

For more information on trafficking and what you can do to help, we recommend visiting the Polaris Project’s website – an organization “leading a survivor-centered, justice and equity driven movement to end human trafficking.” 

Another outstanding resource, and recipient of a Higher Hope Empower Grant, is Covered Colorado, which “empowers adult survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation by helping them transition from crisis to stability and long-term self-sufficiency.” In order to do that, they provide survivors resources such as safe housing, counseling, case management, job readiness training, and life skills development. This is critical in not only helping survivors break free from trafficking, but also from falling back into it. They offer both a short-term stabilization program, known as Lighthouse, as well as a long-term residential program, known as Covered House. Additionally, they offer a Care & Education Center, where survivors can access support at each and every step of their healing journey. If you would like to be an active true crime consumer and show your support, Covered Colorado is always looking for monthly donors, businesses, and churches that want to partner with the organization, volunteers to support their programs, as well as community members who are interested in learning more about trafficking and want to help raise awareness. Additional information can be found at www.coveredcolorado.org 

“Survivors are not defined by what was done to them, but by the strength, wisdom and resilience they carry within themselves as they rebuild their lives,” – Unknown.