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ABSTRACT
Despite the global epidemic of sex trafficking, laypeople and professionals possess little knowledge about trafficking. Lack of awareness engenders failed victim identification, victim-blaming attitudes, re-victimization, and dissipated justice system resources. To address this paucity of awareness, the current research evaluated the efficacy of brief online sex trafficking trainings. Participants were 268 adults recruited nationwide in the United States. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three sex trafficking trainings (facts-only, stories-only, combination). Participants completed pre-training measures of myth endorsement, perceived knowledge, and actual knowledge of sex trafficking. Immediately post-training, participants completed measures of perceived knowledge, actual knowledge, and training satisfaction. Following a one-week delay, participants again responded to measures of myth acceptance, perceived knowledge, and actual knowledge. Regardless of training condition, participants showed improvements in “myth endorsement reduction”, perceived knowledge, and actual knowledge post-training. Compared to the stories-only and combination training conditions, participants in the facts-only condition expressed the greatest reduction in myth endorsement, greatest perceived knowledge, greatest actual knowledge, and greatest training satisfaction. Findings indicate promise for a brief online sex trafficking training using the facts-only format. We discuss research for further investigation of sex trafficking trainings and policy and practice recommendation for professionals.
Instructions
In the following training you will read several facts about human sex trafficking. You will learn:
The definition and statistics about sex trafficking
About the victims and their experiences
How to recognize if someone is being trafficked
The outcomes and consequences of trafficking
And what to do if you suspect trafficking is occurring
Finally, the training will conclude with a brief survey asking about your thoughts on the training.
1. Definition & Statistics
Each year, millions of people are trafficked worldwide. The exact statistics are unknown, but it is estimated 21 million people are in modern slavery, including forced labor and forced sexual exploitation (exchange of sex or sexual acts for drugs, food, shelter, protection, other basics of life, and/or money).
71% of human trafficking victims are women and girls.
29% are men and boys.
75% of victims are adults.
25% of victims are minors.
Trafficking can occur both internationally and domestically. A common misunderstanding is that human trafficking is the same crime as human smuggling. That is not true. Human smuggling can be thought of as a crime against borders, where a person is illegally transported across state or national borders, and agrees to be smuggled. Human trafficking is a crime against a person or people. A particular type of human trafficking is sex trafficking, however it is not the only type of human trafficking.
The definition of sex trafficking is:
The recruitment, harboring, transfer, obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting of person for the purpose of a commercial sex act
in which the commercial sex act is induced by
Force (beating, burning, restraint, torture, sexual assault, forced drug or substance use)
Fraud (false promises about employment, wages, working conditions, or a “better life”; pretending to be a significant other)
OR coercion (threats of harm, threats of reporting to authorities, establishing quotas, creating dependency, document confiscation, debt bondage)
Force, fraud, OR coercion needs to be present in order for the crime to be considered human trafficking, except in cases where the victim is a minor under age 18.
Additionally, even if a person consented to be in the situation or was informed commercial sex would be involved, it is still considered sex trafficking if there was force, fraud, or coercion, or if the victim is a minor.
2. Who are the victims of sex trafficking?
Men, women, girls, and boys of any ethnicity, race religion, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic class, and education level can be victims of sex trafficking.
Victims may be natural born citizens or legal immigrants. They may also be undocumented immigrants. Foreign national trafficked person can be in the U.S. through legal or illegal means. Although some foreign national victims are undocumented, a significant percentage may have legitimate visas for various purposes.
Some risk factors make people more vulnerable to become victims of trafficking than others. These include:
Prior physical or sexual abuse
Poverty
Drug use
Homelessness
Homeless or runaway youth, and youth within the foster care system are particularly vulnerable.
One third of homeless or runaway youth are lured into prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home.
3. How are victims recruited and trafficked?
Traffickers may meet victims in person, such as at the mall or through friends, or online. Some traffickers are strangers. Other traffickers are peers, friends, family members or romantic partners. A trafficker might pretend to be a romantic partner, friend, or caregiver to build trust, power, and control before exploiting his or her victims.
Human trafficking can occur in both rural and urban communities. People can be trafficked in legal businesses such as restaurants and bars, construction sites, hotels, casinos, strip clubs, and massage businesses. They can also be trafficked through illegal means such as online commercial sex, street-based prostitution, and brothels.
4. How to recognize the signs
The following is a list of potential red flags and indicators that you may see in a victim of human trafficking. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. Each indicator taken individually may not imply a trafficking situation, and not all victims will exhibit these signs. However, the recognition of several indicators may point to the need to report suspected sex trafficking for further investigation.
For ANYONE
Shows signs of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
Talks about frequent travel to other cities
Has tattoos or “branding” with a pimp’s name
Is withdrawn and seems depressed or afraid
Doesn’t have control over his/her own schedule
Being restricted from movement or communication
Not allowed to go into public alone
Doesn’t have control over his/her identification documents
Has few or no personal possessions or is not in control of their own money
Is unpaid or is paid very little
Has expensive items they usually cannot afford
Works long and/or unusual hours
Has hotel room keys or frequently stays the night at hotels
Is hungry, malnourished, or dressed inappropriately for weather conditions or surroundings
Shows signs of a drug addiction
Uses terms commonly used in the commercial sex industry (e.g., “date” “bottom” “quota” “pimp”)
For MINORS
Does not attend school regularly
Runs away from home regularly
Makes references to sexual situations that are unusual for a child of that age
Has a boyfriend who is noticeably older (10+ years)
Uses language that is beyond his/her normal age
Is at a truck stop. Children don’t typically go to truck stops.
5. Consequences of human trafficking
Consequences for victims:
Victims may be sexually, emotionally, psychologically, and physically abused while they are trafficked. Their trafficker may withhold money and/or identification documents from them, so they are unable to leave. There can be severe physical and psychological damage for trafficking victims. They may be injured or killed, contract sexually transmitted infections or diseases, and have unwanted pregnancies.
Many victims experience psychological distress while they are being trafficked that may persist throughout their life. Victims may experience depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, low self-esteem, and interpersonal problems. Victims may also engage in self-harm or use drugs.
Victims may have trouble integrating back into their community after they are rescued. They may not have a support system to rely on. They may have trouble affording a house or finding employment to support themselves and their children. They may experience distrust of others, including law enforcement, friends, family, and employers.
Consequences for offenders:
All people if knowingly involved are criminally responsible for human trafficking, including traffickers, purchasers, business owners, and Uber, Lyft, or cab drivers. Offenders may be charged with slavery and human trafficking under federal or state laws. In addition they may be charged with associated criminal acts including (but not limited to): luring a person to go someplace with the intention they will be held as a slave, kidnapping, sale of a person into involuntary servitude, destruction, concealment, removal, or confiscation of a person’s passport or other documents, profiting from slavery or trafficking, sexual assault or rape, physical assault or battery, immigration violations, or money laundering.
The penalties for human trafficking and related offenses are severe. If a death results because of the violation, or included kidnapping, sexual assault, or other aggravating factors, the maximum punishment is life in prison.
Sex trafficking carries a potential life sentence and a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Offenders may also be required to make mandatory payments of restitution to victims for the full amount of their losses (such as money they should have earned while being trafficked). Offenders may also be required to register on the national sex offender registry.
Purchasers and traffickers may also contract sexually transmitted infections or diseases that may not be treatable.
6. How to report human trafficking
Many victims will not immediately ask for help or disclose they are being trafficked.
If you encounter a situation you think could be human trafficking, do not confront the people involved.
If you suspect someone you have encountered is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline 24/7: 1-888-3737-888
In cases of immediate emergencies, call 911.
B. Stories-only Training
Instructions
In the following training you will read several stories about human sex trafficking. You will learn:
The definition and statistics about sex trafficking
About the victims and their experiences
How to recognize if someone is being trafficked
The outcomes and consequences of trafficking
And what to do if you suspect trafficking is occurring
Finally, the training will conclude with a brief survey asking about your thoughts on the training.
Victim stories
Maria, 22-year-old sex trafficking victim
Maria came to the United States with five other Filipino men and women. When they got to the United States, they all became legal citizens. One day, while Maria was waiting tables at a restaurant in New York City, a man named T.J. told Maria she was absolutely stunning and asked if she would like to audition for his modeling agency. He told her all she needed to do was text him photos of her in a bikini and she would begin making money. Maria agreed and quit her restaurant job and went to work for T.J. At first, T.J. was very nice to Maria. He bought her new clothes, paid her rent, and paid for her meals. T.J. took photos of Maria and posted them on his social media accounts to help her gain exposure as a model. He also took nude photos of Maria for himself. Maria began to trust and like T.J. They were rarely apart. He told her he did not like her to go out in public alone because the city was a dangerous place. After a few weeks, T.J. told Maria she was going to do a different job. He told her she was going to have sex with people for money. Maria told T.J. she did not want to do that, she just wanted to be a model. T.J. told Maria if she did not do this he would post her nude photographs online. Maria felt like she had no choice, so she began having sex for money. Maria was expected to make $300 a night, and give all the money to T.J. In return, T.J. would pay for anything Maria needed. Maria was also expected to have sex with T.J. whenever he wanted. Maria worked for T.J. for six months when she learned she was pregnant. The nurse at the hospital noticed Maria showed signs of emotional abuse, was withdrawn and afraid, was never let out of T.J.’s sight, T.J. talked for her, Maria had no personal belongings like a purse or phone, and T.J. had possession of her identification. These signs all made the nurse suspicious so she called the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-3737-888 to report a tip. Based on the nurse’s tip, the police began an investigation into Maria and T.J., and consequently T.J. was arrested for trafficking and Maria was rescued. After being trafficked, Maria struggled to find another job, and experienced severe depression and anxiety. T.J. was sentenced to 10 years in prison, the mandatory minimum sentence for human trafficking. T.J. was also required to make restitution payments to Maria for her loss of wages.
Ryan, 19-year-old sex trafficking victim
Ryan shares a similar story to millions of others who are commercially exploited through force, fraud, or coercion. Ryan was born and raised in a small town in Oklahoma. He began running away from home at a young age, was abused by his birth parents, and spent years in the foster care system. When he turned 18 he had to find a place to live on his own. In the past while he was running away, he had made friends with Jere, a 27-year-old known for dealing drugs in the town. Jere offered to let Ryan stay with him, and promised he would take care of him. Ryan didn’t even have to pay rent. Jere provided Ryan with drugs, shelter, and food. Ryan developed a drug addiction while living with Jere. After a few months Ryan noticed Jere spent a lot of time at a local hotel and hotels in other nearby towns with men and women around Ryan’s age. When Ryan asked him about it Jere invited him to come along one night. Ryan learned Jere was forcing the other men and women to have sex for money, and in return he provided them with drugs. Jere told Ryan that if he wanted to continue using his drugs and staying with him, he would also have to work for Jere and have sex for money. When Ryan refused and attempted to leave the hotel, Jere blocked the doorway and beat him. Jere restrained Ryan and brought customers to the hotel to have sex with Ryan. Jere also had sex with Ryan. He did this every night until eventually Ryan agreed to work with Jere so the beatings would stop. One of Ryan’s friends was over at Jere and Ryan’s house one day. The friend noticed Ryan often talks about working long hours but never has any money, always has multiple hotel room keys, travels to other cities often, has a drug addiction, and multiple, frequent, bruises. When Ryan and Jere left to go to the hotel, the friend called 911 to report his suspicions of sex trafficking because he felt Ryan was in immediate danger. The police arrested Jere and helped Ryan get the help he needed. While being trafficked Ryan contracted sexually transmitted diseases, and also began suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder. Jere was arrested and charged with human trafficking. Additionally Jere was charged with kidnapping, rape, and assault and battery. Due to aggravating factors associated with his crime, Jere was sentenced to the maximum sentence of life in prison. Jere also contracted an untreatable sexually transmitted disease.
Biata, 31-year-old sex trafficking victim
Biata entered the United States illegally to escape an abusive husband in Mexico. She paid someone $3,500 to smuggle her across the U.S. border in their vehicle. Upon entering the United States she knew she had to find a way to make money, but could not get legitimate work due to her status as an undocumented immigrant. Biata learned of a woman, Tori, who was running an underground brothel called The Cherry Patch in Los Angeles, California. Biata contacted Tori and asked her for a job having sex with customers for pay at The Cherry Patch. After Biata was hired, she was ordered to get a tattoo of a cherry on her ankle to show her loyalty to The Cherry Patch brothel. As another condition of employment, Biata lived at the brothel house and had to request permission from Tori to leave. Biata worked and lived at The Cherry Patch until she felt she was ready to apply for citizenship in the United States. Tori threatened to turn Biata into immigrations enforcement if Biata tried to leave The Cherry Patch, have her arrested and deported, and sent back to her abusive husband. Biata was terrified of being deported and sent back to her abusive husband, so she reluctantly continued to work for Tori at The Cherry Patch having sex for money.
Anna, 16-year-old sex trafficking victim
Anna met her boyfriend, Wayne, through Facebook. Wayne saw Anna’s picture, thought she was pretty and sent her a message. They began talking online, getting to know each other, and learning about each other. Anna learned Wayne was 30 years-old and lived one town over. Wayne learned that Anna was sexually adventurous, as she began sending him nude photos soon after they met. Neither Wayne nor Anna were bothered by their age difference. Wayne did not have a job when they met, so he had a lot of time to spend with Anna. Anna also did not have a job; she was still a student and lived with her parents. Her parents were well-off and provided Anna with anything she needed. They even purchased her a brand new car for her 16th birthday. Anna began skipping school to spend time with Wayne. She was beginning to fail her high school classes. Wayne told Anna he was having trouble paying his bills, and asked her if she would be willing to have sex with his friends and give him the money they paid her. Anna thought Wayne’s friends were all attractive, so she readily agreed. Anna continued having sex with anyone Wayne brought over to the house, and any money she made went to Wayne. Wayne told her he and his friends really liked it when she wore short skirts and low-cut tops, so she began dressing this way even in the cold winter months. Anna was making a lot of money for Wayne. Wayne often thanked her by buying her expensive gifts. He bought her jewelry and a new iPhone. Anna’s parents noticed she was dressing inappropriately for the weather, had expensive items they did not buy for her, was missing school, and had a boyfriend much older than her. Anna’s parents called the local police department to report their concerns. The police investigated and determined although Anna consented to everything that was happening, Wayne was sexually exploiting Anna. Anna was a minor therefore she could not legally consent to commercial sex. Wayne was sentenced to 15 years in prison and is required to register on the national sex offender registry upon his release.
Bobby, 14-year-old sex trafficking victim
Bobby ran away from home shortly after turning 14 and became homeless. This was the fourth time in the last year that he ran away from home. While Bobby was living on the streets he began hanging out at a nearby truck stop with his cousin, Randolph, who is a truck driver. Bobby was sleeping in Randolph’s truck every night, and begging for money and food. Randolph told Bobby that he knew of a way he could make some money and that it involved Bobby performing sexual favors with the other truck drivers. Randolph knew a lot of the other drivers and began setting up meetings for Bobby. Bobby began crying and told Randolph he wanted to go home and did not want to perform sexual acts on the truck drivers. Randolph hit Bobby and threatened to hurt him if he didn’t do it, and told him he expected Bobby to give him half of the money since he was setting up the meetings. One night, a family on a road trip pulled into the truck stop to get some rest. The father was stretching his legs and began talking with Bobby. The father noticed Bobby was hungry and malnourished, made reference to sexual situations, used foul language, and used terms from the commercial sex industry like “date” and “quota.” The father asked Bobby if he was in danger or if he needed help, but Bobby said he did not need any help. The father returned to his car and called the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-3737-888 on his cell phone to report a tip of suspected sex trafficking. The police were able to identify some of the truckers that purchased sex from Bobby, and they were charged with human trafficking and sentenced to two years in prison and will be required to register on the national sex offender registry upon their release. One of the truckers that purchased sex from Bobby testified against Randolph in return for a more lenient sentence. Randolph was sentenced to 10 years in prison and will be required to register on the national sex offender registry upon his release.
C. Combination Training
Instructions
In the following training you will read several facts and stories about human sex trafficking. You will learn:
The definition and statistics about sex trafficking
About the victims and their experiences
How to recognize if someone is being trafficked
The outcomes and consequences of trafficking
And what to do if you suspect trafficking is occurring
Finally, the training will conclude with a brief survey asking about your thoughts on the training.
First please read the following story depicting a case of sex trafficking. This is just one example of what a case involving sex trafficking might look like.
Ryan, 19-year-old sex trafficking victim
Ryan was born and raised in a small town in Oklahoma. He began running away from home at a young age, was abused by his birth parents, and spent years in the foster care system. When he turned 18 he had to find a place to live on his own. In the past while he was running away, he had made friends with Jere, a 27-year-old known for dealing drugs in the town. Jere offered to let Ryan stay with him, and promised he would take care of him. Ryan didn’t have to pay rent. Jere provided Ryan with drugs, shelter, and food. Ryan developed a drug addiction while living with Jere. After a few months Ryan noticed Jere spent a lot of time at a local hotel and hotels in other nearby towns with men and women around Ryan’s age. When Ryan asked him about it Jere invited him to come along one night. Ryan learned Jere was forcing the other men and women to have sex for money, and in return he provided them with drugs. Jere told Ryan that if he wanted to continue using his drugs and staying with him, he would also have to work for Jere and have sex for money. When Ryan refused and attempted to leave the hotel, Jere blocked the doorway and beat him. Jere restrained Ryan and brought customers to the hotel to have sex with Ryan. He did this every night until eventually Ryan agreed to work for Jere so the beatings would stop. One of Ryan’s friends was over at Jere and Ryan’s house one day. The friend noticed Ryan often talks about working long hours but never has any money, always has multiple hotel room keys, travels to other cities, has a drug addiction, and multiple, frequent, bruises. When Ryan and Jere left to go to the hotel, the friend called 911 to report his suspicions of sex trafficking because he felt Ryan was in danger. The police arrested Jere and helped Ryan get the help he needed. While being trafficked Ryan contracted sexually transmitted diseases, and also began suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder. Jere was arrested and charged with human trafficking. Additionally Jere was charged with kidnapping, rape, and assault and battery.
Next you will read facts about sex trafficking. Keep this story about Ryan in mind to serve as an example while you read the facts.
1. Definition & Statistics
Each year, millions of people are trafficked worldwide. The exact statistics are unknown, but it is estimated 21 million people are in modern slavery, including forced labor and forced sexual exploitation (exchange of sex or sexual acts for drugs, food, shelter, protection, other basics of life, and/or money). Although the majority of these victims are women and girls, men and boys can also be victims of trafficking.
Trafficking can occur both internationally and domestically. A common misunderstanding is that human trafficking is the same crime as human smuggling. That is not true. Human smuggling can be thought of as a crime against borders, where a person is illegally transported across state or national borders, and agrees to be smuggled. Human trafficking is a crime against a person or people. A particular type of human trafficking is sex trafficking, however it is not the only type of human trafficking.
The definition of sex trafficking is:
The recruitment, harboring, transfer, obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting of person for the purpose of a commercial sex act
in which the commercial sex act is induced by
Force
Beating, burning, restraint, torture, sexual assault, forced drug or substance use
Fraud
False promises about employment, wages, working conditions, or a “better life,” pretending to be a significant other
OR coercion
Threats of harm, threats of reporting to authorities, establishing quotas, creating dependency, document confiscation, debt bondage
Force, fraud, OR coercion needs to be present in order for the crime to be considered human trafficking, except in cases where the victim is a minor under age 18.
Additionally, even if a person consented to be in the situation or was informed commercial sex would be involved, it is still considered sex trafficking if there was force, fraud, or coercion, or if the victim is a minor.
2. Who are the victims of sex trafficking?
Men, women, girls, and boys of any ethnicity, race religion, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic class, and education level can be victims of sex trafficking.
Victims may be natural born citizens or legal immigrants. They may also be undocumented immigrants. Foreign national trafficked person can be in the U.S. through legal or illegal means. Although some foreign national victims are undocumented, a significant percentage may have legitimate visas for various purposes.
Some risk factors make people more vulnerable to become victims of trafficking than others. These include:
Prior physical or sexual abuse
Poverty
Drug use
Homelessness
Homeless or runaway youth, and youth within the foster care system are particularly vulnerable.
One third of homeless or runaway youth are lured into prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home.
3. How are victims recruited and trafficked?
Traffickers may meet victims in person, such as at the mall or through friends, or online. Some traffickers are strangers. Other traffickers are peers, friends, family members or romantic partners. A trafficker might pretend to be a romantic partner, friend, or caregiver to build trust, power, and control before exploiting his or her victims.
Human trafficking can occur in both rural and urban communities. People can be trafficked in legal businesses such as restaurants and bars, construction sites, hotels, casinos, strip clubs, and massage businesses. They can also be trafficked through illegal means such as online commercial sex, street-based prostitution, and brothels.
4. How to recognize the signs
The following is a list of potential red flags and indicators that you may see in a victim of human trafficking. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. Each indicator taken individually may not imply a trafficking situation, and not all victims will exhibit these signs. However, the recognition of several indicators may point to the need to report suspected sex trafficking for further investigation.
For ANYONE
Shows signs of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
Talks about frequent travel to other cities
Has tattoos or “branding” with a pimp’s name
Is withdrawn and seems depressed or afraid
Doesn’t have control over his/her own schedule
Being restricted from movement or communication
Not allowed to go into public alone
Doesn’t have control over his/her identification documents
Has few or no personal possessions or is not in control of their own money
Is unpaid or is paid very little
Has expensive items they usually cannot afford
Works long and/or unusual hours
Has hotel room keys or frequently stays the night at hotels
Is hungry, malnourished, or dressed inappropriately for weather conditions or surroundings
Shows signs of a drug addiction
Uses terms commonly used in the commercial sex industry (e.g., “date” “bottom” “quota” “pimp”)
For MINORS
Does not attend school regularly
Runs away from home regularly
Makes references to sexual situations that are unusual for a child of that age
Has a boyfriend who is noticeably older (10+ years)
Uses language that is beyond his/her normal age
Is at a truck stop. Children don’t typically go to truck stops.
5. Consequences of human trafficking
Consequences for victims:
Victims may be sexually, emotionally, psychologically, and physically abused while they are trafficked. Their trafficker may withhold money and/or identification documents from them, so they are unable to leave. There can be severe physical and psychological damage for trafficking victims. They may be injured or killed, contract sexually transmitted infections or diseases, and have unwanted pregnancies.
Many victims experience psychological distress while they are being trafficked that may persist throughout their life. Victims may experience depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, low self-esteem, and interpersonal problems. Victims may also engage in self-harm or use drugs.
Victims may have trouble integrating back into their community after they are rescued. They may not have a support system to rely on. They may have trouble affording a house or finding employment to support themselves and their children. They may experience distrust of others, including law enforcement, friends, family, and employers.
Consequences for offenders:
All people if knowingly involved are criminally responsible for human trafficking, including traffickers, purchasers, business owners, and Uber, Lyft, or cab drivers. Offenders may be charged with slavery and human trafficking under federal or state laws. In addition they may be charged with associated criminal acts including (but not limited to): luring a person to go someplace with the intention they will be held as a slave, kidnapping, sale of a person into involuntary servitude, destruction, concealment, removal, or confiscation of a person’s passport or other documents, profiting from slavery or trafficking, sexual assault or rape, physical assault or battery, immigration violations, or money laundering.
The penalties for human trafficking and related offenses are severe. If a death results because of the violation, or included kidnapping, sexual assault, or other aggravating factors, the maximum punishment is life in prison.
Sex trafficking carries a potential life sentence and a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Offenders may also be required to make mandatory payments of restitution to victims for the full amount of their losses (such as money they should have earned while being trafficked). Offenders may also be required to register on the national sex offender registry.
Purchasers and traffickers may also contract sexually transmitted infections or diseases that may not be treatable.
6. How to report human trafficking
Many victims will not immediately ask for help or disclose they are being trafficked.
If you encounter a situation you think could be human trafficking, do not confront the people involved.
If you suspect someone you have encountered is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline 24/7: 1-888-3737-888
In cases of immediate emergencies, call 911.
Finally, please read one more story about sex trafficking. Try to notice some of the things you just learned about sex trafficking depicted in this story.
Maria, 22-year-old sex trafficking victim
Maria came to the United States from the Philippines and became a legal citizen. One day, while Maria was waiting tables at a restaurant in New York City, a man named T.J. told Maria she was absolutely stunning and asked if she would like to audition for his modeling agency. He told her all she needed to do was text him photos of her in a bikini and she would begin making money. Maria agreed and quit her restaurant job and went to work for T.J. At first, T.J. was very nice to Maria. He bought her new clothes, paid her rent, and paid for her meals. T.J. took photos of Maria and posted them on his social media accounts. He also took nude photos of Maria. Maria began to trust and like T.J. They were rarely apart. He told her he did not like her to go out in public alone because the city was a dangerous place. After a few weeks, T.J. told Maria she was going to do a different job. He told her she was going to have sex with people for money. Maria told T.J. she did not want to do that, she just wanted to be a model. T.J. told Maria if she did not do this he would post her nude photographs online. Maria felt like she had no choice, so she began having sex for money. Maria was expected to make $300 a night, and give all the money to T.J. Maria was also expected to have sex with T.J. whenever he wanted. Maria worked for T.J. for six months when she learned she was pregnant. The nurse at the hospital noticed Maria showed signs of emotional abuse, was withdrawn and afraid, was never let out of T.J.’s sight, T.J. talked for her, Maria had no personal belongings like a purse or phone, and T.J. had possession of Maria’s identification. These signs all made the nurse suspicious so she called the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-3737-888 to report a tip. Based on the nurse’s tip, the police began an investigation into Maria and T.J., and consequently T.J. was arrested for trafficking and Maria was rescued. After being trafficked, Maria struggled to find another job, and experienced severe depression and anxiety.
Notes
1 Data was collected in April-May of 2019.