Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide – including the United States. It can happen in any community and victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality. Traffickers might use the following methods to lure victims into trafficking situations:

• Violence

• Manipulation

• False promises of well-paying jobs

• Romantic relationships

Language barriers, fear of their traffickers, and/or fear of law enforcement frequently keep victims from seeking help, making human trafficking a hidden crime.

Traffickers look for people who are easy targets for a variety of reasons, including psychological or emotional vulnerability, economic hardship, lack of a social safety net, natural disasters, or political instability.

Facts:

• Children with foster care or child welfare involvement are at elevated risk.

• Women and girls make up a large proportion of identified trafficking victims.

• Many children enter trafficking around young adolescent years.

While there has been significant progress in bringing awareness to the issue of Human Trafficking in Delaware, more needs to be done to prevent Human Trafficking, identify victims and support them through trauma-informed approaches, and combat the perpetrators of these crimes.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, we're here to provide the support you need. Contact SARC at 800-773-8570 or visit ywcade.org/sarc for support.