Myths and Facts of Human Trafficking

MYTH: Trafficked persons are only foreign nationals or immigrants.

FACT: Human trafficking affects both US citizens and foreign nationals, including lawful permanent residents, visa holders, and undocumented workers, as protected under federal trafficking laws.

MYTH:  Human trafficking requires transportation or movement across borders.

FACT:  Trafficking can occur without transportation; it does not equate to forced migration or smuggling.

MYTH: Human trafficking is the same as human smuggling.

FACT: Smuggling is a crime against borders, while trafficking is a crime against individuals, involving exploitation through force, fraud, or coercion, regardless of transportation.

MYTH: Physical restraint or force is necessary to identify trafficking.

FACT:  Trafficking can occur through psychological control, such as threats or fraud, without any physical force.

MYTH: Victims will readily seek help and self-identify as victims.

FACT:  Many victims do not immediately ask for help due to mistrust, self-blame, or trafficker influence.

MYTH:  All trafficking victims come from poverty or small towns.

FACT:  Victims can come from various socioeconomic backgrounds, and poverty is just one factor of vulnerability.

MYTH:  Sex trafficking is the only form of human trafficking.

FACT:  Human trafficking includes both sex trafficking and labor trafficking, affecting people of all genders and ages.

MYTH:  Human trafficking only happens in illegal industries.

FACT: Trafficking can occur in both legal businesses, like restaurants and hotels, as well as illegal markets.

MYTH:  If a person consented initially, it’s not trafficking.

FACT:  Initial consent is irrelevant if force, fraud, or coercion occurs later, this is especially true for minors.

MYTH:  All foreign national trafficking victims are undocumented.

FACT:  Not all foreign victims are undocumented; many hold valid visas or are legally in the US.

 

Understanding these myths and facts is crucial in recognizing and combating human trafficking effectively.

*Information taken from Human Trafficking Hotline