Created by Canadian survivors of sex trafficking
Do you know the signs of
Human Trafficking?
Myths vs. reality
Understanding Human Trafficking: A Survivor’s Perspective
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Human trafficking is a serious crime that has existed for many years, affecting countless individuals worldwide. Often, we see portrayals in movies or on alarming posters of people in handcuffs and chains. While these images can be striking, they can also create misunderstandings about what human trafficking really entails.
The truth is, human trafficking is much more complex and can take many forms. It encompasses various situations where individuals are forced or coerced into labor or commercial sexual exploitation. Please learn the signs and descriptions provided by survivors.
So what IS human trafficking?
From a lived experience perspective, human trafficking involves individuals or organized groups targeting vulnerable people who are seeking a better life, financial stability, or, in some cases, love. They utilize familiar techniques to sell a false dream, using sweet talk or “too good to be true” job offers and various romantic strategies to lure victims away from their support networks, such as friends, family, and their home countries.
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In many trafficking scenarios, the traffickers rely heavily on psychological manipulation, including threats and brainwashing.
When a trafficker poses as a boyfriend or partner, they often use methods similar to those seen in intimate partner or domestic violence situations. This manipulation leaves victims feeling mentally, financially, emotionally, and physically drained and isolated.
- Timea E Nagy, Survivor, Educator, Best-Selling Author
