5 Truths & Myths about Human Trafficking

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, but for Wedgwood’s Manasseh Project raising awareness for and activating change to fight human trafficking is an all-year mission. A key part of raising awareness is sharing the realities of human trafficking and dispelling common myths surrounding the issue.

Here are 5 truths about human trafficking and exploitation:

MYTH: Michigan has the second highest rate of human trafficking in the country.

TRUTH: Human Trafficking is a complex issue. Even though there is data to show its existence, due to issues surrounding accurate reporting and identifying victims it is hard to quantify the number of cases from state to state. Regardless of the data, one person trafficked, is one too many.

 

MYTH: Human Trafficking involves movement across state or national borders.

TRUTH: Human Trafficking does not require movement. In fact, a person could be trafficked while living in their own homes.

 

MYTH: Traffickers target victims that they don’t know.

TRUTH: While this can occur, many survivors have been trafficked by people that they do know and have close relationships with like romantic partners, family members and even parents.

 

MYTH: Human Trafficking is usually a violent crime.

TRUTH: The most pervasive myth about human trafficking is that it always, or often, involves kidnapping or physical force. In reality, most traffickers use psychological means such as tricking, defrauding, manipulating, or threatening their victims.

 

MYTH: People being trafficked are physically unable to leave their situations, are locked in, and/or held against their will.

TRUTH: This can sometimes be the case. More often, however, people in trafficking situations stay for reasons that are more complicated. Some lack the basic necessities to physically leave – such as transportation or a safe place to live. Some are afraid for their safety. Some have been so effectively manipulated that they do not identify that they are under the control of another person.

 

 

The Coordinator of Wedgwood’s Manasseh Project, Nikeidra Battle-DeBarge recently sat down for a Wedgwood Coffee Break Conversation! Check out this conversation in which Nikeidra talks about the realities of trafficking, how to make a difference, and why Wedgwood’s mission uniquely empowers us to take on this issue.

 

 

To learn more about the realities of human trafficking and exploitation in West Michigan, or to book a training or educational event visit www.manassehproject.org. Our team is dedicated to ending trafficking through awareness, education, advocacy, and treatment.

 

OTHER RESOURCES –

• Human Trafficking Hotline: 1 (888) 373-7888 | Text HELP or INFO to 233733
• SEE. Believe. Disrupt: www.seebelievedisrupt.org/