What is Trafficking?

The Facts About Human Trafficking

• Human trafficking is any situation of exploitation that a person cannot refuse or leave because of threats, violence, coercion, deception, and/or abuse of power. In the case of child sex trafficking, force, fraud, or coercion do not need to be present, and the crime is simply the exchange of any sex act with a child for anything of value. 
   
• Under US federal law, all children involved in commercial sex are victims of human trafficking. Only about half of US states have laws that protect children from being prosecuted for prostitution. (Indiana has laws in place to protect our youth)
   
• You’ll often hear about trafficking “hotspots.” The truth is that trafficking occurs wherever there are people. If you look at a map of trafficking referrals, major highways, and human population density, they are often closely aligned. (Indiana is considered a hotspot due to its location, transportation crossroads, and influence in hosting sporting events)
   
• Sex trafficking is not just a “women and girls' issue"; it is a men's, boys', girls', and women's issue.   
   
• Traffickers can look like anyone and don’t fit one stereotype. Traffickers have been family members, peers, romantic partners, educators, employers, community leaders, and clergy.  
   
• Within the United States, traffickers kidnapping their victims is not common.  Victims know their trafficker.  This is someone they have established a relationship with.  
   
• Sometimes, youth continue attending school, living at home, and participating in extracurricular activities – even while trafficked.
   
• Often, a “rescue” isn’t the only (or best) way to freedom. Training to recognize & respond appropriately to trafficking and trauma-informed spaces to heal help create pathways for more victims to exit exploitation.
  

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Contact Us

Theresa Chamblee
Director of Social Concerns
Catholic Charities
Archdiocese of Indianapolis 

tchamblee@archindy.org
317-236-1404