TRUE OR FALSE?

  • Force, fraud & coercion MUST be proven for minors (under 18).

  • False- If an individual is a minor, being victimized for sex trafficking, force, fraud or coercion does not have to be proven for it to be considered human trafficking.

  • Human trafficking does not happen in my community.

  • False- “Fact: To date, there have been human trafficking cases reported in every state in the U.S”

  • Traffickers mostly target people they know.

  • True- “Many survivors have been trafficked by romantic partners, including spouses, and by family members, including parents”

  • Pimps are the same as traffickers.

  • True- “The traffickers in street based commercial sex situations are often individual trafficker, more commonly known as “pimps”. These traffickers may vary in their relationship to the victim, but are similar in the tactics they employ to recruit, control and exploit their victims”

  • Human trafficking only happens in illegal or underground industries.

  • False- Human trafficking cases have been reported and prosecuted in industries including restaurants, cleaning services, construction, factories and more”

  • Only women and girls can be victims and survivors of trafficking.

  • False- “Men and boys are also victimized by traffickers. LGBTQ youth and young men are seen as particularly vulnerable to trafficking”

  • Human trafficking does not always involves moving, traveling or transporting a person across state or national borders.

  • True- “Human trafficking is often confused with human smuggling, which involves illegal border crossings. In fact, the crime of human trafficking does not require any movement whatsoever. Survivors can be recruited and trafficked in their own home towns, even their own homes”

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

  • False- “That is sometimes the case. More often, however, people in trafficking situations stay for reasons that are more complicated. Some lack the basic necessities to physically get out – such as transportation or a safe place to live. Some are afraid for their safety. Some have been so effectively manipulated that they do not identify at that point as being under the control of another person”

  • People in active trafficking situations do not always want help getting out.

  • True- “Every trafficking situation is unique and self-identification as a trafficking victim or survivor happens along a continuum. Fear, isolation, guilt, shame, misplaced loyalty and expert manipulation are among the many factors that may keep a person from seeking help or identifying as a victim even if they are, in fact, being actively trafficked”

  • Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purposes of obtaining labor, sexual purposes, or organs

  • True

  • Human trafficking is a global problem. There is nothing I can do to help.

  • False- “Human trafficking has been reported in every single state in the U.S. Know the signs and look beneath the surface when interacting with people in your community. Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 to report tips or to learn more about how you can help your community”.

  • 83% of identified human trafficking victims in the United States reported that their trafficking began between childhood and age 23 (Polaris).

  • True- People do not realize that the introduction of trafficking begins between the ages of 12-14 years old.

Not being aware of trafficking makes people more vulnerable to it! Getting educated helps people go from vulnerable and unaware to safe and empowered! 
 
The Prevention Project™ program was born out of a desire to prevent trafficking by EMPOWERING youth to protect themselves and others through EDUCATION and by EQUIPPING the next generation of leaders to build safer communities! 
 
Learn more about the program here: https://www.prevention-project.org/.

State & National Reporting Resources

1. National Human Trafficking Hotline
1-888-373-7888

2. National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-4673

3. National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
Text START to 88788

4. Child Protective Services (CPS) in Virginia
1-800-552-7096

5. Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov

6. Homeland Security
866-347-2423 or www.ice.gov/tips

7. Office of the Attorney General of Virginia
(804) 786-2071 

8. Virginia State Police
1-804-674-2000
#77 for mobile emergencies
OR
To anonymously report a potential trafficking situation- Text 847411 and send a message to that number by typing “VSP” followed by the tip.

9. Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988

10. For immediate danger
Call 911