January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month and Stalking Awareness Month. Although this blog will focus on Human Trafficking, you can learn more about stalking here. Additionally, for more information about “Coercive Control” (the term utilized for how perpetrators of human trafficking control their victims) you can read our post about coercive control and human trafficking here.
This post will explain the common myths and misconceptions about human trafficking, common signs to look out for, and local organizations survivors can reach out to for help.
Human trafficking is the “exploitation of a person through labor, services, or a commercial sex act by force, fraud, or coercion” (NHHTCTF, 2022). Under section 633:7, NH Law classifies trafficking in persons as a Class A Felony. Every year, millions of people are trafficked worldwide—including in the United States and New Hampshire.
Traffickers utilize violence, manipulation, false promises of well-paying jobs, and romantic relationships to lure in and control their victims (DHS, 2022). Human trafficking can be forced commercial sex acts, but also forced labor. See the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign to learn more about human trafficking and common tactics.
Myth #1: Human Trafficking doesn’t happen in the U.S. or New Hampshire.
Fact: Human trafficking occurs in every country and state, including the USA and NH, possibly in your own community (DHS, 2022). Take a look at the heat map below with data collected from the National Human Trafficking Hotline. It’s important to note that all of their data is only from people who called or utilized their resources and most likely these spots are bigger.
The seacoast especially is a common route for traffickers, traveling to or from Boston. This is why it’s so important to have an accurate lens on the reality of human trafficking in the area.
Myth #2: Human trafficking only happens to foreign-born people or immigrants, not Americans.
Fact: Human trafficking victims and survivors can be and are any age, race, gender, socio-economic status, or nationality (DHS, 2022). In fact, “83% of sex trafficking victims are United States citizens“(MBF Prevention Education, 2022).
Myth #3: Human trafficking only happens in illegal or underground industries.
Fact: Human trafficking cases have been reported in every industry: restaurants, cleaning services, farming, factories, and more (NHTH, 2022).
Myth #4: Individuals must be forced or coerced into sex acts to be considered a human trafficking victim.
Fact: Review our post about coercive control here, as the trafficker’s control may look different than obvious physical force. Additionally, any child under the age of 18 involved in commercial sex acts is automatically considered child sex trafficking or sexual abuse—regardless of whether they were considered forced or coerced (DHS, 2022). All adults in NH are mandated reporters, if you suspect a child is being trafficked call HAVEN at (603) 994-SAFE , DCYF at (800) 894-5533, or for an immediate emergency call 911.
Myth #5: People who are being trafficked are physically unable to leave their situations such as being locked or tied up.
Fact: This is sometimes the case. However, in the majority of cases, survivors feel they have to stay for many complicated reasons (NHTH, 2022). Such as lacking the necessities of financial means of escape, important/necessary documentation is being held (i.e. driver’s license, SS card, birth certificate, green card, etc.), transportation, or fear for their or children’s safety if they were to leave. Similar to domestic violence situations, traffickers utilize many methods to control and isolate their victims into feeling they have to stay. See HAVEN’s blog post in 2020 “Why Don’t They Just Leave” which pertains to Domestic Abuse but is still pertinent to abusers/traffickers’ methods.
Myth #6: All traffickers are strangers who reach out to their victims on the internet or in isolated public places (ie. Gas stations, alley ways, etc.).
Fact: Although internet safety is certainly important for this reason, it’s highly inaccurate that the trafficking “recruiters” are always strangers. Many survivors have been trafficked by family members including parents/caregivers, romantic partners, and employers. Polaris’ analysis of 2021 Human Trafficking data found that family members or caregivers accounted for 33% of human trafficking recruiters (Polaris, 2021). Even more frightening, total strangers only account for less than 18% of human trafficking recruiters. See pie chart below.
Myth #7: Human trafficking victims will seek help when in public.
Fact: See Myth #5. There are many reasons victims may be unable or afraid to get help. Additionally, due to sex work stigma they may fear criminal retribution if they were to come forward.
If you suspect a person is a victim or perpetrator of human trafficking, it’s important to protect your safety as well and never confront them directly.
To learn more about resources, training, or getting involved visit the NH Human Trafficking Collaborative Website at www.nhhumantraffickingtaskforce.com.
References
Blue Campaign. (2022, August 25). Myths and misconceptions. Myths and Misconceptions | Homeland Security. Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/myths-and-misconceptions
Blue Campaign. (2022, September 22). What is human trafficking? What Is Human Trafficking? | Homeland Security. Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/what-human-trafficking
MBF. (2020, July 22). Why you should be concerned about human trafficking. Monique Burr Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.mbfpreventioneducation.org/concerned-human-trafficking/#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%2083%25%20of%20sex,likely%20happening%20in%20your%20neighborhood.
National Human Trafficking Hotline. (2022, November 15). National Statistics. National Human Trafficking Hotline. Retrieved from https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/statistics
National Human Trafficking Hotline. (2022, November 15). New Hampshire Hotline Statistics. National Human Trafficking Hotline. Retrieved from https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/statistics/new-hampshire
New Hampshire Human Trafficking Collaborative Taskforce. (2023). Human trafficking indicators. New Hampshire Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force. Retrieved from https://www.nhhumantraffickingtaskforce.com/human-trafficking-indicators
Polaris. (2017, August 31). New Hampshire Profile: Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking. The Administration for Children and Families. Retrieved from https://www.acf.hhs.gov/media/3457
Polaris. (2023). Myths & Facts. National Human Trafficking Hotline. Retrieved from https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/human-trafficking/myths-facts