Ways Traffickers Control People
We often hear about the challenging journey survivors face when trying to escape sex trafficking.
One powerful way we can help those seeking freedom is by raising awareness about the tactics employed by traffickers to control individuals trapped in the sex trade.
By shining a light on these methods, we can empower survivors and create a safer world for all.
The Grip of Control:
Traffickers exert control in numerous ways to keep individuals from escaping.
Here are 7 common tactics:
1. Violence and threats of violence:
Traffickers use physical threats and acts of violence to terrify and intimidate victims, instilling a deep fear that prevents them from seeking help.
2. Deception:
Traffickers manipulate their victims through deception, promising payment, the well-being of their families, or by undermining trust in authorities. These lies make it difficult for survivors to break free.
3. Imprisonment:
Physical restraint, confinement, and constant supervision are used to imprison victims, isolating them from the outside world and reinforcing a sense of helplessness.
4. Collusion:
Traffickers force victims into participating in illegal activities, implicating them in their crimes. This coerces individuals to feel complicit and fearful of the consequences of speaking out.
5. Debt Bondage:
Traffickers charge exorbitant fees for transportation, recruitment, and living expenses, trapping victims in a cycle of debt. Compounded with interest, these debts become insurmountable, forcing individuals to continue working for their traffickers.
6. Relationship:
Traffickers manipulate victims through emotional connections, creating a false sense of affection or familial bonds. Survivors may believe the trafficker genuinely cares for them, making it even harder to break away.
7. Isolation:
By restricting interactions with the outside world, through language barriers or forbidding contact with friends and family, traffickers maintain control over their victims, perpetuating their dependence on them.
Tile from our GRVM Art Project. Photo Credit: Kara D.
The Reality Closer to Home:
While threats of deportation and seizing immigration documents are not as effective against U.S. citizens, traffickers often target vulnerable American youth using sexual abuse, isolation, and relational ensnarement to create a sense of dependency.
Runaways and children in foster care also remain highly vulnerable to exploitation, with studies estimating that over 60 percent of sex trafficking children in the U.S. originate from the foster care system.
Supporting Survivors:
We must come together to combat the multifaceted issue of sex trafficking, as it exists in every neighborhood, including our own. Providing survivors with essential support and resources is crucial for empowerment and healing. Together, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of millions of people worldwide.
Creating a Safety Exit Plan:
If you or someone you know feels concerned for their safety, it is imperative to create a safety exit plan and seek help immediately.
Consider these steps:
1. Seek mental health support:
Find local therapists and support groups (like us) who can provide professional guidance and monitor your situation, especially if leaving immediately jeopardizes your safety.
2. Reach out to someone you trust:
Confide in trusted friends, family members, or spiritual leaders who can offer support and guidance. Choosing trustworthy individuals who will respect your confidentiality is crucial.
3. Remove personal belongings:
If you share a home with a controlling partner, gradually move your personal belongings to a safe location. If you need to leave abruptly, do so with people by your side, informing friends and family of your whereabouts. If it's safer to leave belongings behind, prioritize taking important documents.
4. Move to a safe place:
Maintain secrecy about your location to ensure your safety. Consider seeking refuge in programs like Seattle OPS's "Stay Safe," which provides temporary housing for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation. Safe Stays, a partner of Seattle OPS, offers an empowering Safe Stays Credits Program where you can directly fund hotel stays for survivors during their most critical times of need.
Donate and Make an Impact:
Your donation can be a lifeline for survivors in need. By contributing to OPS's Safe Stays account, you're directly supporting survivors during their healing journey. Every donation creates a real impact, offering hope, healing, and empowerment to those who need it most. Click here to donate now and be notified when your credits are redeemed.
Understanding the methods used by traffickers to control individuals trapped in the sex trade is a crucial step towards dismantling this pervasive crime.
By providing comprehensive support and working together as a community, we can help survivors heal and reclaim their lives. Let us unite in our effort to end sex trafficking and create a world where everyone can thrive free from exploitation and violence