January 11th is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, and the Department of Homeland Security is asking us all to wear blue , the international color of human trafficking awareness. The US Department of State notes that there are an estimated Many victims are children.
No child is immune to being targeted and not all trafficked children are missing. They could be attending school, returning home, playing sports, or participating in family activities. Labor Trafficking is all around us in daycare facilities, salons, restaurants, hotels, farms, and factories. How well do you understand Human Trafficking? Here are common myths and misunderstandings about Human Trafficking, courtesy of Homeland Security. Fact : Human trafficking exists in every country, including the United States.
It exists nationwideβin cities, suburbs, and rural townsβand possibly in your own community. Fact : Human trafficking victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality.
They may come from any socioeconomic group or class at all levels of education, income, and occupation. Fact : Sex trafficking exists, but it is not the only type of human trafficking. Forced labor is another type of human trafficking; both involve the exploitation of people.
Victims are found in legitimate and illegitimate labor industries, including sweatshops, massage parlors, agriculture, restaurants, hotels, and domestic service. Fact : Under U. Fact : Human trafficking is not the same as smuggling. Human smuggling can turn into trafficking, however, if the smuggler uses force, fraud, or coercion to hold people against their will for the purposes of labor or sexual exploitation. Fact : Human trafficking is often a hidden crime. Victims may be afraid to come forward and get help; they may be forced or coerced through threats or violence; they may fear retribution from traffickers, including danger to their families; and they may not be in possession of or have control of their identification documents.
