Knowledge is Power

 Myth

 Truth

Most traffickers use manipulations and tricks to persuade victims. Cases often do not involve a violent act such as kidnapping.

All human trafficking is only about sex

“Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud or coercion to get another person to provide labor or commercial sex.” Polaris "Myths, Facts, and Statistics”

Traffickers take victims they do not know

Most victims know or are related to their traffickers

Only undocumented individuals are trafficked in the United States

Victims can also be individuals who are legally living and working in the United States. 

Traffickers only take women and girls

Traffickers will take both male and female. There may be more males taken but cannot be confirmed because of fear due to gender. LGBTQ+ males are also seen as vulnerable.

Human trafficking only happens in illegal or underground industries

Human trafficking can happen under your nose. This can include restaurants, factories, and even across the street from your own home.

Human trafficking involves the movement of an individual (across state or country lines)

Human trafficking often does not involve the movement of individuals, that is classified as human smuggling. 

People being trafficked are physically unable to leave their situations/locked in/held against their will

Often victims cannot leave because they do not have a safe way out or have the available resources to leave. Some victims are manipulated to the point that they do not see themselves as a victim