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Yes, it's still us. This is our new logo. LOL What do you think?
Yes, it's still us. This is our new logo. LOL What do you think?
Human trafficking is a crime that hides in plain sight. Hollywood often portrays trafficking as involving a dramatic abduction or kidnapping. That is very rarely the case in reality. In fact, in as many as half of all cases globally, people are trafficked by a family member.
Some signs that someone might be trafficked for sex include these red flags:
Some signs that someone might be labor trafficked include these red flags:
Right now, a lot of trafficking takes place online, which makes it harder than ever to identify. If someone is forced to livestream sexual acts while another person collects the earnings, for example, that is still trafficking. In fact, the majority of pornography is produced with some level of "force, fraud, or deception" in the process.
If you find content online where someone is being forced to do sexual things that they do not seem to want to do, especially if they are a child, it's important to report the content to the social media platform immediately. You can also submit the post to authorities at NCMEC.
If someone offers you a job that seems too good to be true, it probably IS too good to be true. Make sure to verify any potential jobs with trusted parents, teachers, or other authority figures—especially if the job offer is to be done online.
Be cautious of going to parties or clubs with people you do not know well. Always make sure that a trusted adult knows where you're going. Often, traffickers begin grooming young targets in these settings.
Use your privacy settings on social media platforms—and don't give away personal information such as your address or school to strangers you start talking to online.
Most importantly, trust your gut. God has given us intuition through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:17; Hebrews 4:12). If a conversation feels off, or if you start feeling unsafe, listen to that feeling. Exit the conversation or situation and tell a trusted adult immediately. If you or someone you know seems to be in immediate danger, call 911.
If you are reading this and feel that some of these descriptions of human trafficking apply to a situation you are in, call the Human Trafficking Hotline immediately at 1-888-373-7888. You can also text them at 233733, or chat live now. The 24/7 hotline is staffed by experts who can confirm if your situation is indeed trafficking and offer steps to get to safety.
However, if you are in a trafficking situation where you are in immediate physical danger—if you are being threatened with harm of any kind—call 911. Law enforcement can help you escape trafficking while also making sure the person abusing you is taken into custody.
For many survivors of trafficking, they might not realize that a situation they were in qualified as trafficking until many years have gone by. As time gives them more perspective, they are able to understand that they were manipulated and controlled.
In those cases, it is also appropriate to still call the hotline (1-888-373-7888) and provide information that could tip off authorities to pursue the person who abused you. However, more importantly, you deserve support in healing from the emotional pain that can last long after you are no longer being trafficked (Psalm 91).
If you have escaped human trafficking, please seek support for your recovery and mental health. You are worthy of help and loving care—no matter what you've been through or done. To find support, you can call SafeHouse Project at 507-769-0819 or submit a form online. They can connect you with local resources such as therapy or even live-in recovery programs.
As with any kind of abuse, we want you to know that it's not your fault if you have been groomed, trafficked, or exploited. The blame lies on the perpetrator—NOT you. God's heart towards you is protective love (John 10:10; Psalm 97:10). With time, it is possible to heal from what you have experienced, to move from surviving into thriving.
If you would like to find Christian anti-trafficking nonprofits to support, you can visit ijm.org and sharedhope.org.
Human trafficking is a crime that hides in plain sight. Hollywood often portrays trafficking as involving a dramatic abduction or kidnapping. That is very rarely the case in reality. In fact, in as many as half of all cases globally, people are trafficked by a family member. Trust your gut. God has given us intuition through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:17; Hebrews 4:12).
If a conversation feels off, or if you start feeling unsafe, listen to that feeling. Exit the conversation or situation and tell a trusted adult immediately or call the Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, text them 233733, or chat live. The 24/7 hotline is staffed by experts who can confirm if your situation is indeed trafficking and offer steps to get to safety. If you or someone you know seems to be in immediate danger, call 911.
Mary is a music and nonprofit writer passionate about telling purposeful stories about music, meaning, and mental health. She currently serves as Senior Content Manager for anti-human trafficking nonprofit The Exodus Road as well as providing PR services to bands and start-up nonprofits.
