02/09/2026
Protecting God's Children for Adults
Human Trafficking – How can human trafficking exist here?
By Christine Commerce
Editor’s Note: This is the second article in a series about human trafficking. The first article described the reality of human trafficking, while this article will identify how it can happen in our environments. The third article will describe online exploitative environments.
People often ask the question “How can human trafficking exist here”? In part, it is due to a trafficker’s greed for wealth, control, and power. Also, in part, there is a high demand for these types of “products” of people and cheap goods. Consumerism is also a root cause of the problem, when people are willing to buy other people for s*x and when many people constantly seek to cut corners with costs of other types of goods. It is simple Economics 101. Without either of these demands, there would be no supply of people and children for s*x, and no low-cost goods that contribute to labor trafficking.
Labor Trafficking exists in almost every facet of our lives, when people are not paid a just wage for their work, or when their work environment is abusive, unsafe or unhealthy. People working in nail salons, massage parlors, in domestic servitude, in the agricultural industry, or in construction are at a particular risk of experiencing labor trafficking. Children also have been involved with labor trafficking. This includes in meat packing plants, in the agricultural industry and even being recruited to do door-to-door selling of trinkets and candy from the dollar store or magazines under the guise of a fundraiser. Girls have been lured with the promise of a job in modeling but have found themselves in a trafficking situation such as in the cases of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Traffickers make promises of work and a better life to capitalize on their victim’s vulnerabilities. They may promise them better job opportunities, but that “American dream” quickly turns into a nightmare. The victims realize they are not going to be paid what was promised, their documents and passports have been confiscated, or the job offer is not what was promised. Some are also forced into s*x trafficking or forced labor, while making very little or no pay at all.
Traffickers will take those who are most vulnerable and manipulate them and their situation in a grooming process that includes physical needs to emotional needs. For example, traffickers will take potential victims on shopping sprees, isolate them from friends, and introduce them to drugs. In addition to meeting physical needs, traffickers will exploit emotional needs as well, including a need to belong and be loved, as seen in this poem excerpt, “America’s Daughter,” written by a Polaris trafficking client.
1. “You will do anything to feel like his everything. And he promises you everything. And the things he convinces you to do, they don’t seem that bad if afterwards he shows you how much he loves you… And as long as your profits meet expectations, you will have what you’ve wanted your whole life: Love.”
Traffickers emotionally abuse and manipulate victims into “the life” and use their dreams to manipulate and convince them to do the one thing they thought they would never do – sell themselves. To understand the stages of commercial s*xual exploitation, watch Karly Church’s TedTalk on Domestic S*x Trafficking. Are our kids getting the love, attention and validation that they need so they don’t seek it from someone else?
While most girls are trafficked by a pimp or intimate partner, boys often are trafficked through “survival s*x” but also can be trafficked through gaming devices and social media and can be groomed just like girls for s*x trafficking. Shame and cultural norms of what it means to be a man keep many boys in silence, which is why it is so underreported.
Just as victims can be anyone, so can the traffickers. They can look like those we know and trust. They can be men and women, any age, those in authority, teachers, politicians, family members, celebrities, law enforcement, religious leaders, or even other teenagers (who are typically being exploited or abused themselves). They can be young or old. They can be someone you already know. Statistics vary but 26-47% of trafficked children are sold by parents, legal guardians or relatives.
2. Trafficking can happen at shopping malls, sporting events, natural disasters, movie theaters, hotels, airports and more but most trafficking happens online. It is important to note that many trafficking victims do not leave a trafficking situation due to the extreme manipulation they experience, and may even still be living at home with their parents.
There are many reasons why victims do not report including:
Having a bond with “Romeo Trafficker” (where the victim believes they are in a romantic relationship with their trafficker)
Extreme manipulation or coercion by the trafficker
A lack of understanding of their situation
Feeling helpless and afraid
Their trafficker may have threatened to harm them, their family or their friends
They may have been beaten, starved, drugged, or experienced other trauma by their trafficker
Because of the prevalence of human trafficking, it is important to recognize the potential indicators of trafficking in victims:
Declining grades
Frequent unexplained school absences
Wages – Controlling their money; is paid far less than promised; Does not receive pay; Victims often must work to pay off a debt
Expensive new clothes, shoes, accessories
Secret cellphone, or is very secretive about their cellphone
Much older boyfriend or girlfriend
Injuries or signs of abuse
Branding or tattoos, jewelry – Traffickers will use tattoos to brand their victims because they see them as a piece of property not a human being.
Ask what their tattoo means. If they are hesitant, then that’s a red flag
Traffickers may also give them a bracelet with a charm on it
Change in character – Someone who was once outgoing could now become withdrawn, or someone who was once happy all the time is suddenly depressed or anxious
Avoiding eye contact and appearing nervous – is being threatened by an employer with deportation or arrest
The person they are with may answer for them, appears to have been coached on what to say to law enforcement or other officials
Lack of personal information or documents such as: social security number, birth certificate, or passport. Traffickers take victims’ personal documents which restricts freedom of movement and opportunity
Freedom – is not allowed to socialize with neighbors/family/friends or attend community events
Working & Living conditions – Is doing a different job than expected; appears to have been deprived of food, water, sleep, medical care, or satisfactory living conditions
These indicators may not always be signs of trafficking but also could be signs of something else like abuse or other harm—in which the child or an adult also needs help.
If you suspect human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking (Check the flyer).
