FACTS
What is sex trafficking?
A form of modern-day slavery involving the exploitation of a person or child for sexual commercial services through the use of force, fraud or coercion.
Children today are trapped in modern day slavery
(ILO)
Average amount predators rent a child for a single sex act
(Heritage Foundation)
Traffickers are family members, intimate partners, or employers
(Polaris)
Average age a child is sold into sex trafficking
(Shared Hope)
States have reported cases of trafficking within the US
(Polaris)
Increase from reports of online child enticement
(NCME)
Myth
Child trafficking is always done violently or forcibly.
FACT
The most common misconception about child trafficking that it involves kidnapping or physical force. Most traffickers use psychological and fraudulent means to trick and manipulate victims into providing commercial sex.
Myth
Trafficking happens only in developing or poor countries.
FACT
Trafficking is a global issue occurring in all countries. The United States is one of the largest consumers of sex victims with trafficking transactions happening in major cities, towns and rural areas.
Myth
Traffickers target victims they don’t know.
FACT
A majority of victims are targeted by someone they know such as a romantic partner, a friend or even a family member.
Myth
Trafficking involves only sex or prostitution.
FACT
Trafficking can include forced labor, domestic servitude, child soldiers, organ trafficking and debt bondage.
Myth
99% of those trafficked are women and girls.
FACT
Men and boys are just as susceptible to being trafficked, about 46% of all victims in modern day slavery are men and boys.
Myth
Trafficking occurs only in unsafe or underground areas.
FACT
Trafficking cases have been reported and prosecuted in all kinds of industries and places: restaurants, cleaning business, factories, airports, construction, prestigious suburbs and many more.