What Is The Process of Sex And Human Trafficking?

The process of sex and human trafficking involves recruiting victims and forcing them to participate in unwanted labor or sexual activity. There are several steps to this process, although they are not all necessary in every case. The way an individual trafficker carries out each step can vary greatly, even from victim to victim.

Some traffickers use specific ruses or threats that are specific to their intended victim, although many have a primary tactic or backstory they use to lure possible victims and induce them to participate, at least initially. 

Steps in the Sex and Human Trafficking Process

The Office on Trafficking in Persons lists the following process of sex and human trafficking to include:

Recruitment

Traffickers will target a vulnerable population, such as young women who recently aged out of the foster care system. Then, they will either:

1. Groom the victim, working up to inducing them to participate through promises of a better life, love, or a high-paying job
2. “Obtain” the victim, meaning forcibly take them either using physical harm, threats of physical harm, or another type of psychological manipulation

Harboring

Harboring refers to holding the victim against their will. In some cases, they are literally confined or held with physical restraints. In others, they are closely monitored, isolated from their loved ones and the outside world, and psychological manipulation is used to keep them quiet and obedient.

Transporting

Transporting victims of sex and human trafficking is not strictly necessary as a part of the process, but it is very common. By transporting the victim or arranging their travel to another area, it reduces the risk that family or friends might discover their whereabouts.

In some cases, traffickers may transport victims to other individuals who purchased them or otherwise gained access to them and will benefit from their services.

Providing

Providing occurs when one human trafficker sells, trades, or otherwise provides the victim to another individual or group. This transaction can happen many times to the same victim, or the original trafficker may remain in control of the victim.

Other Steps in the Sex Trafficking Process

There are two steps in the sex trafficking process that do not necessarily occur in human trafficking for labor or other reasons. This includes soliciting and patronizing.

Traffickers Must Gain and Maintain Control of Their Victims

From the Blue Campaign, human or sex trafficking requires a trafficker to hold a person captive and force or trick them into participating in illegal activities, labor, or sex against their will. There are many methods they use, often using a combination to ensure their victims do not try to escape.

• Threatening them or their loved ones with physical harm
• Threatening to deport them or report them to police
• Taking away their passports and other important identification
• Forcing victims to participate to “pay back” money they claim they owe
• Giving victims addictive drugs and making them work or perform sex acts to get more
• Isolating them from friends, family, and others who might help them escape
• Forced marriage
• Transportation against their will, sometimes to other states or countries

The primary targets of the sex and human trafficking process are vulnerable women and children, although men, boys, and transgender individuals also become victims. Potential victims are runaways, those without housing, youth in the foster care system, victims of other forms of violence, unaccompanied minors, and victims of natural disasters.

These victims fear the traffickers, but many also feared law enforcement before they fell victim to human trafficking. This, plus language barriers and limited contact with the outside world, often make it difficult to escape.

Newsome Melton Fights for Civil Justice

The attorneys from Newsome Melton help our clients get justice through compassion and strength. Our team has worked for decades to help our clients get civil justice. Our trial lawyers can take on even the most complex civil litigation, representing you and your family in settlement negotiations or in front of the judge and jury.

If you want help holding an enabling business liable for your victimization, call (888) 808-5977 to learn more today.