Some kids are vulnerable to sex trafficking
Stress for Success
February 1, 2011


January was Human-trafficking Awareness Month and last week I shared some information about the insidious crime of sex-trafficking. By increasing awareness of the traffickers’ strategies and of their victims perhaps we can help prevent it.

What makes children vulnerable to trafficking? A leading factor is sexual abuse within their homes from which many kids run away, as well as:
§ An unstable home life;
§ Physical abuse;
§ Being a chronic runaway;
§ Exposure to drugs;

Traffickers/pimps spot vulnerability a mile away. They recruit adolescents with low self-esteem who crave protection and love. They find them where they hang out unsupervised at:
§ Malls;
§ Parks;
§ Schools;
§ The Internet;
§ Other kids;
§ Bus stops;
§ Movie theatres;
§ Clubs;

The trafficker/pimp uses calculated recruitment strategies to earn his victim’s trust before grooming her for his planned exploitation. He presents himself as a friend, boyfriend, or caretaker. Through talking with his victim he assesses her home life to determine her vulnerabilities as well as aspirations, then targets her weaknesses, tells her what she wants to hear and gives her what she needs:
§ Offers shelter if she’s homeless;
§ Becomes her boyfriend if she craves love;
§ Becomes her friend if she’s lonely;

He promises a better life through employment, education and possibly even marriage. His offers represent a life-line to survival for his victims (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2008.)

The trafficker/pimp eventually introduces his real intent by persuading the victim to have sex with him. Satisfying her needs then establishing a sexual relationship become the basis for future psychological control.

As trust develops, he ups the ante: demanding uncomfortable sex acts and punishing any refusal or protests with physical and emotional abuse. His abuse grows as does his blaming her for the abuse. If she doesn’t conform, he expands his control over her by:
§ Threatening the loss of the glamorous life he promised her;
§ Using the act of prostitution as proof she loves him;
§ Using physical abuse such as beatings, starvation, locking her in a closet, gang rape, forced drug use, etc. until she complies. This is often followed by affection through love-making and privileged treatment.

He isolates her from all positive contact and interaction with friends and family as he methodically removes her security and resources. She gradually becomes physically, mentally, emotionally and financially dependent upon him.

This is when he maneuvers her into prostitution by requiring her to repay her debt to him or to earn money so they can achieve his promised dream.

The trafficker/pimp’s tactics are very effective in transitioning a young victim from a vulnerable run away or a throw away into a sexual slave. His victims are probably homeless and are too young and emotionally immature to make it on their own. They become helpless in the face of his increasing pressure and control.

As effective as the trafficker’s tactics are the psychology of the victims also works to keep them enslaved; my topic next week.