Human Trafficking

United Nations defines human trafficking as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.  

Human trafficking stems from three parts – Act, Means, and Purpose.

  • Act is the recruitment, transport, transfer, or harboring of persons.
  • Means includes threats, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, or abuse of power.
  • Purpose includes exploitation, prostitution, forced labor, slavery or similar practices, or other types of exploitation.

Human trafficking is modern-day slavery and involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Sex trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision or obtaining of a persons through force, fraud, or coercion, OR someone under the age of 18 and something of value is exchanged, promised, or received to perform. Examples include engaging a child for sexual performance, directing or promoting sexual performance by a child, or sexual battery, conduct, or performance. 

Sex trafficking can happen at strip clubs, residential brothels, fake massage businesses, street prostitution, escort services, hotels or motels or online. Labor trafficking can happen in domestic work, at farms, businesses, or factories.

Trafficking Tactics

  • Violence
  • Threats made against the victim or victim’s family
  • Harming or depriving the victim of basic necessities
  • False promises
  • Restricting contact with family or friends
  • Limiting freedom of movement
  • Controlling identifying documents
  • Threatening police action or deportation
  • Taking the victim’s income
  • Forcing or encouraging alcohol and drug use

Survivors of Human Trafficking

  • Remember that you are NOT to blame because this is not your fault.
  • Seek support from someone you can trust.
    • The STSM Hotline is a 24/7 support line: (803) 771-7273.
  • You may be experiencing a wide range of emotions – that is normal.
  • Contact our office at (803) 790-8208 to schedule a counseling appointment.

If Someone You Know Is a Survivor

  • Believe the survivor.
  • Reinforce the fact that the abuse or assault was not the survivor’s fault.
  • Don’t pry for information.
  • Provide comfort and support so the survivor is comfortable.
  • Report and refer as appropriate
    • If the survivor is under 18 years of age, it is a mandated report. It must be reported to law enforcement.
    • If the survivor is over 18, provide resources for support.
  • Encourage the survivor to go to an emergency room.

Contact Maggie Malaney, STSM Trafficking Survivor Advocate, at tsa@stsm.org for additional resources or support. If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, contact Sexual Trauma Services Crisis Hotline at (803) 771-7273. You are not alone.