The Department of Homeland Security defines Human Trafficking as the exploitation of a person through force, fraud, or coercion into sex trafficking, forced labor or domestic servitude. It is happening everywhere. It can happen to anyone, though its victims are typically women and children. Why do it happen? It is highly profitable. Sadly, online communities are making it even easier for traffickers to find, groom, and exploit victims. Thankfully, there are steps every online community can take to stop it from happening.
Here are the Nonprofits Leading the Charge Against Trafficking
Human trafficking continues to be on the rise in the US and around the world, perhaps more so now than ever before. The good news is there are a multitude of bona fide nonprofit agencies working toward slowing it down while rescuing many children and adults from their enslavers. Many of these agencies can be found on a variety of social media sites including Twitter and Facebook, and have been well documented for their work.
Those passionate about stoping human trafficking need to understand traffickers: who are they and what are their motivations. This post summarizes typical characteristics of traffickers, highlights some infamous ones, and digs into their motives.
Understanding Human Trafficking
Homeland Security has classified human trafficking as modern-day slavery. It is happening anywhere and everywhere, inside and outside of the United States. It doesn't select one gender, race, or even stick to an age limit.
How Online Communities Unknowingly Help Traffickers
Dating apps, gaming forums and chats, and social media sites bring people together in fun ways. They also allow traffickers to identify, groom and sell their victims. Here’s how it happens.
January 2020 | National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. In support, we’ll be examining the problem and how online communities, from gaming chats to dating apps, can unknowingly help traffickers find and groom victims.