Sex Trafficking

Sex trafficking is a form of human trafficking in which individuals are exploited for the purposes of commercial sex. This can include prostitution, as well as other forms of sexual exploitation such as pornography or exotic dancing. Victims of sex trafficking are often coerced or forced into the sex trade, and may be threatened or physically harmed if they try to leave. Being trafficked for sex is a global problem and can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. It is important to recognize the signs of sex trafficking and to report any suspected cases to the appropriate authorities.

Anyone can be vulnerable to sex trafficking, although certain groups are at higher risk. This includes individuals who are marginalized or disadvantaged due to factors such as poverty, lack of education, and lack of access to opportunities. It also includes individuals who have experienced trauma, such as sexual abuse or domestic violence, as well as those who are struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues. Additionally, certain populations may be particularly vulnerable to sex trafficking, such as undocumented immigrants, individuals who are homeless or living in shelters, and individuals who are involved in the child welfare or foster care systems. Sex traffickers often target individuals who are vulnerable and may be less likely to report the abuse or seek help.

If you or someone you know is a victim, there are several steps you can take to get help. The first and most important step is to reach out for support from trusted friends, family members, or professionals who can provide assistance and guidance. This may include contacting a hotline or crisis center that specializes in assisting victims, or reaching out to law enforcement for help. It is also important to seek medical care and support for any physical or psychological trauma that you may have experienced as a result of the trafficking. You can also contact organizations that specialize in providing services to victims of sex trafficking, such as victim advocacy groups, legal organizations, and social service agencies. These organizations can provide you with information, support, and assistance as you navigate the process of recovery.

Local educators taught about the perils of human trafficking – Orillia News
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Local educators taught about the perils of human trafficking – Orillia News

Would your child know what to do if approached by a sex trafficker? The Simcoe County District School Board and the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board have unveiled new anti sex-trafficking protocols, which provide resources for teachers and parents, as well as curriculum for students. The program was based on direction from the Ministry of…

Expanding Our Anti-Trafficking Work into Indonesia
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Expanding Our Anti-Trafficking Work into Indonesia

A young tattooed girl stood in line for the ticket booth with two older women. The sun at its peak looked down through a hazy sky. Great hulking vessels waited lazily in the shipyard while people milled about over the docks, dragging luggage and readying for departure. This port in Indonesia is a hotspot for…

Anti-Human Trafficking Group Calls on Ottawa to Increase Actions in Rural Canada
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Anti-Human Trafficking Group Calls on Ottawa to Increase Actions in Rural Canada

A delegation of anti-human trafficking organizations is calling on the federal government to increase the action it is taking to counter human-trafficking crimes across Canada, particularly in the country’s rural areas. “It continues to be a real problem in Canada,” said Margaret Byl, president of the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada, during a press conference…

'It's Soul Crushing': Trafficking Victims Exploited Up and Down the East Coast – NBC Boston
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'It's Soul Crushing': Trafficking Victims Exploited Up and Down the East Coast – NBC Boston

They’re promised a better life – instead the victims of human trafficking are raped, beaten and tortured. Union Street in Lynn is known by advocates as an open-air market where women are sold for sex. Mary Speta, head of the nonprofit Amirah, is on a personal mission to help end the cycle of exploitation. “There…

Human Trafficking in California
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Human Trafficking in California

In late January, a statewide task force made hundreds of arrests in conjunction with National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Sustaining such efforts throughout the year requires understanding the scope of human trafficking and how to combat it. The available data suggest that California accounts for a shrinking share of the trafficking incidents that occur nationally….

9 rescued, 4 arrested in human trafficking sting near Sea-Tac Airport – Q13 FOX
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9 rescued, 4 arrested in human trafficking sting near Sea-Tac Airport – Q13 FOX

SEATAC, Wash. – Homeland Security agents rescued nine victims of a sex trafficking operation near the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport early February. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the investigative armed of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, identified several commercial sex trafficking victims and suspects through an undercover operation with the King County Sheriff’s Office, City of…

52 women, girls fall victim to human trafficking in Namibia
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52 women, girls fall victim to human trafficking in Namibia

This has been revealed by a global report on human trafficking released late last month. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 2022 report on human trafficking shows 52 women and girls were trafficked in Namibia between 2017 and 2020, while 43 men and boys were trafficked. Overall 95 Namibians were trafficked during…

New Life Center receives $50K United Way grant to combat human trafficking
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New Life Center receives $50K United Way grant to combat human trafficking

“Human trafficking is an enormously prevalent form of human rights abuse happening in the United States right now,” said Myriah Mhoon, CEO of New Life Center, one of Arizona’s largest domestic violence and sexual assault shelters. “It takes many forms including forced labor, debt bondage, domestic servitude, forced child labor, sex trafficking and child sex…

Documented gang member sent to prison for sex trafficking – Department of Justice
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Documented gang member sent to prison for sex trafficking – Department of Justice

HOUSTON – A 24-year-old man who resided in Houston and grew up near Crosby has been ordered to federal prison for trafficking a minor and another for sex, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Aryion Dupree Jackson pleaded guilty Dec. 19, 2022, in two separate cases. He admitted to the sex trafficking of a minor…

Psychiatrists address trauma of human trafficking survivors – Healio
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Psychiatrists address trauma of human trafficking survivors – Healio

February 14, 2023 Psychiatrists play an important role in addressing human trafficking, according to a group of California-based clinicians. “Human trafficking is increasingly being viewed through a public health lens, which allows us to address it as an issue that affects health,” Rachel Robitz, MD, director of the family medicine/psychiatry residency program at the University…