How We Can Combat Human Trafficking

By Kailey Allen | January 26, 2022 | Comments Off on How We Can Combat Human Trafficking

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Month. First recognized in December of 2010 by President Obama, he noted, “Human trafficking is a global travesty that takes many forms. Whether forced labor or sexual trafficking, child soldiering or involuntary domestic servitude, these abuses are an affront to our national conscience, and to our values as Americans and human beings. There is no one type of victim — men and women, adults and children are all vulnerable. From every corner of our Nation to every part of the globe, we must stand firm in defense of freedom and bear witness for those exploited by modern slavery.” Back in 2010, the idea of modern day slavery and human trafficking here in the United States was a difficult concept for the average person to understand and accept. Over the last decade, however, the horrors of human trafficking have often headlined the mainstream news, with Virginia being recognized as a state with high numbers of human trafficking cases and Northern Virginia as a hotbed of this horrifying reality for too many vulnerable adults and children.

One population at high risk for becoming victims of trafficking are foster youth. According to the National Foster Youth Institute, 60% of victims of human trafficking are current or former foster youth. Traffickers target victims that are most vulnerable, and foster youth who frequently lack ties to family and social supports make them susceptible. Things that make someone a target for trafficking include many circumstances foster youth find themselves in, such as:

  • Feelings of hopelessness and depression
  • Children who have experienced trauma
  • Runaways from foster or group homes
  • Young adults who age out of the foster care system with little to no supports
  • Youth experiencing homelessness, especially LGTBQ+ youth

The first step to combating trafficking is to become better informed on the issue. Recognizing that trafficking can happen anywhere to anyone is key. It is naive to assume that trafficking only happens in poor countries and not here in the United States. Trafficking occurs in rural and suburban areas just as much as it does in major cities. We also need to re-frame how we think someone becomes a victim: Very rarely is a victim taken by force as shown in movies and media. More frequently, traffickers use more subtle tactics of coercion and fraud to take advantage of their victims. They may promise a sense of family and social supports to a victim lacking belonging and identity. They may promise stable work to a victim struggling in poverty. Traffickers often target their victims by using what they lack in their lives and making elaborate promises for a better future, only to lead them into modern day slavery.

The next step is to focus on efforts that prevent trafficking from occurring. Becoming educated on the signs of trafficking is key. The National Human Trafficking Hotline has a comprehensive resource that you can access here. When it comes to preventing trafficking in foster youth, CASA volunteers play an important role. CASAs are often one of the only consistent adults in a foster youth’s life, and the strong connections they create with the youth they serve can act as a protective factor for a child in not becoming a trafficking victim. CASA volunteers can ensure that an at-risk child has appropriate social supports in place. Another key factor in prevention is educating foster youth, other at-risk youth, and the adults in their lives about human trafficking. Teach children warning signs of traffickers, who might be attempting to lure them into dangerous situations. Influential adults in these children’s lives should also be aware of the same warning signs. Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth (SAFY) has an informative blog post written for foster parents on the subject, however anyone working with foster or at-risk youth can benefit from the information.

Continuing to discuss and learn about human trafficking and the issues surrounding it are key to taking a stance against trafficking. We encourage everyone to check out these organizations leading the fight to end modern slavery and serve victims with dignity:

Finally, taking action when warranted is the most important step to combating trafficking. Together, and with knowledge, we can extend compassion and assistance to someone caught in this nightmare. If you see something that doesn’t look right—if you notice something that just feels off—make the call. In an emergency, always call 911. You can also call the US tip line, 1-888-373-7888 or the Fairfax County tip line at 703-691-2131. Together, we can put an end to modern day slavery.

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