Facts
- Sex trafficking within the U.S. is defined as commercial sex acts induced by force, fraud, or coercion or any commercial sex act in which the individual induced to perform commercial sex has not attained 18 years of age.
- Victims of human trafficking can be children or adults, U.S. citizens or foreign nationals, male or female. The majority of trafficking victims in the U.S. are American citizens.
- According to U.S. government estimates, thousands of women, children, and men are trafficked to the United States for the purposes of sexual and labor exploitation.
Barriers to Escaping Human Trafficking
- Not knowing where to turn to for assistance
- Chemical dependency
- Homelessness
- Limited or non-existent work history
- Lack of education
- Little or no job skills
- History of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
- Lack of supportive services
- Limited community knowledge about prostitution
- Controlled by their pimp
Effects of Trafficking
Physical
- Trauma and injuries from repeated physical attacks
- Persistent bladder infections
- High rate of exposure to HIV & STD’s
- Infertility
- Homicide
- Cervical cancer
- Drug and alcohol addiction
Psychological
- General Mental Health Disorders
- Generalized Anxiety
- Clinical Depression
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Self Injury and Suicidal Ideation
Emotional
- Distrust and disdain for men
- Feelings of degradation and humiliation
- Loss of sexual desire, feelings, or responses
Social
- Isolation from mainstream society
- Difficulty making and keeping friends
- Difficulty establishing intimate relationships
- Educational deprivation
- Loss of career building
Legal
- Criminal history
- Difficulty finding housing and employment
- Custody issues