It is important to dispel the myths about human trafficking – what it looks like, who is trafficked, and how it is done. Many Canadians still think that human trafficking involves crossing international borders, kidnapping and organized crime, but it’s not always the case. The ‘face’ of Canadian sex trafficking can look very different. Right now, Aura Freedom and other Toronto grassroots groups are seeing 16 and 17 year old boys trafficking their classmates for money, notoriety and as a way to validate their masculinity. We are also seeing young women getting involved in the recruitment of those trafficked into the sex trade, even if oftentimes they are being exploited themselves.
As we’ve already said: don’t think ‘Hollywood’.
During the luring and grooming stage, a sex trafficking situation can start out looking a lot like a romantic relationship or a friendship before the exploitation begins.
Traffickers exploit vulnerabilities created by sexism, racism, gender inequality, toxic gender norms, isolation, poverty / a lack of employment opportunities, a lack of education / social supports – and loneliness. Social media is a tool for traffickers looking to exploit these vulnerabilities in youth through grooming practices, such as befriending them and giving them attention, love, stability, and gifts that they are usually unable to access in their day-to- day lives.
They get a glimpse of a “dream life” before the rug is ripped out and the exploitation begins.
Luring and grooming is a process where a trafficker (boyfriend, friend, person of trust, etc.) will manipulate their victim in order to coerce them into situations of sexual exploitation. Understanding the grooming process is important because when you know what grooming looks like, you can identify it if it happens to you or others.
Grooming is a calculated process that happens over a period of time as the groomer gains the trust of their victim and moves through the cycle. Sometimes, the grooming stage can take two weeks, sometimes it can take two years. Each case is different – it’s important to not paint each case with the same brush.
Below is the step by step method traffickers often used to groom a victim.
First, traffickers will identify an individual they want to exploit. Generally, traffickers will target someone who is facing inequities, may have low self-esteem, may be isolated, is experiencing an economic stressor, has family problems, etc (see Root Causes and Risk Factors below.) Traffickers primarily use social media and other apps to communicate and build relationships with their victims. COVID-19 has resulted in youth spending more time online and being more isolated, resulting in an increased risk of being groomed and recruited online.
It is important to note that most often traffickers are people you know, including family members, friends, and intimate partners.
Then, traffickers gather all the information they can from an individual. This may include what school they go to, if they have a social network, where their parents work, where they live, if they have siblings and what school they go to, what their insecurities are, and any stressors or problems in their lives. Often at this stage, the trafficker will coerce the victim for sexually explicit pictures and videos which they will then use to threaten them later. Gaining trust and information is key to the grooming process as this informs traffickers what needs they can fill, as explained in the next step.
Next, using the information gathered in Step 2, traffickers identify and fill a need in the victim’s life. This makes the victim dependent on the trafficker for anything from money and gifts, to clothes and alcohol, to friendship and love. Many times a trafficker may seem like a “great boyfriend/partner/friend” to unsuspecting friends and family because they appear to be providing their victims with support and love.
At this point in the grooming process, the trafficker will have a major role in the victim’s life. They will create time to be alone with the victim and will attempt to distance the victim from their friends and family in order to isolate them. This step is important because in isolation the trafficker has more control over the messages the victim hears and is better able to manipulate them. In isolation, no one will be able to support the victim when the abuse begins in the next step, further confirming the victim’s need for the trafficker.
At this stage, the abuse begins. Psychological, emotional, physical and sexual abuse are all used to further isolate the victim. Also at this stage, the trafficker also claims the victim must repay money that was spent on various gifts or necessities, whether it be clothes, rent, cigarettes/drugs, or car rides and cell phones. In most cases, the trafficker demands sex work as repayment.
In order to keep the victim from leaving, the trafficker must maintain control. They do this by using threats, violence, fear, and blackmail (see Control Tactics and Fear sections below). They may even use the information gathered in Step 2 to threaten the victim’s friends or family. Many victims show loyalty to their traffickers even after they’ve recovered because of the insidious nature of manipulation, coercion, and the trauma bond that is formed.
Traffickers use various tactics to keep survivors from leaving or reaching out for help. Many of the survivors we’ve supported didn’t realize they had been trafficked until later on or even after they exited the trafficking situation.
Most survivors -both youth and adults- felt they were at fault for their abuse and exploitation because they never actually said ‘No’.
But the truth is, their exploitation was a slow process of coercion, manipulation, violence and blackmail and, sadly, they never had a choice.
**The history behind the term “Stockholm Syndrome” has been found to be rooted in misogyny. As we are continually updating our research and exploring terms that accurately explain the phenomenon from a grassroots intersectional perspective, we’d like to highlight this article here.
We can’t always “see” Coercive Control, which is an ongoing pattern of domination and control where abusive partners repeatedly and constantly engage in psychological and emotional violence using intimidation, depravation, degradation, isolation, humiliation, and more.
Coercive Control is present in most situations of sexual exploitation and human trafficking, and also in Intimate Partner Violence / Domestic Violence.
Download this educational PDF on Coercive Control below.
Human trafficking is a manifestation of inequity. In fact, exploitation and gender-based violence thrive in conditions of inequity and where there is an imbalance of power. Therefore, when we work to advance equity, we are working to end human trafficking.
We often hear: “Anyone can be trafficked.”
And yes, that is true. Anyone can be trafficked regardless of their age, gender, race, or ability. We have worked with survivors from all walks of life.
However, we must recognize that there are communities that are more at risk of exploitation and have historically been targeted. If your anti-trafficking work is not addressing inequities of gender, race, socio-economic status and more, then it simply won’t be effective. In fact, it can do more harm than good.
Intersectionality matters.
There is no ‘quick fix’ to human trafficking. We have to buckle up and know that this is a long drive. If we are really going to end human trafficking, we must zoom out and look at societal power imbalances and inequities (root causes).
In societies across the globe, women, girls and gender diverse people face inequality, discrimination, violence and control. Marginalized and racialized women and girls experience added layers of discrimination and barriers to support, as well as youth in care and youth with mental health issues.
Moreover, colonialism, systemic racism, and homo/transphobia have helped to create intergenerational trauma within communities, who are targeted by exploiters. Indigenous, Black, and other racialized women, girls and youth often lack social support, leaving room for exploitation under the guise of love, community and a better life.
Just knowing the root causes of exploitation and human trafficking, and working toward equity for all human beings, can empower people to demand better simply because they know they are worthy of healthy and vibrant lives.
Examining root causes is a cornerstone of Aura Freedom’s anti-trafficking work. This is our passion. This is our area of expertise.
Sometimes, victims will show signs that may indicate they are experiencing exploitation or trafficking. Other times, they will not.
It is important to note that although the warning signs below may indicate human trafficking, they do not always mean that someone is being trafficked, so be sure to use them with caution. Remember the importance of refuting the patriarchal ‘victim narrative’ that has a limited view of what trafficked persons look like, who they are, or how they act.
These indicators should be used for educational purposes and not to encourage surveillance as this may negatively affect marginalized and racialized communities, such as sex workers. These signs should be used as possible indicators, not rules.
Suggested citation for Aura Freedom’s Human Trafficking Info Hub: Aura Freedom. (2021, November 25). Human Trafficking Info Hub. Retrieved from: https://aurafreedom.org/
