Misconception 1: Traffickers are strangers

There is a common misconception that a stranger with bad intentions forces children into trafficking situations. However, child victims are often forced into trafficking situations by people they have a connection with, know, and trust. This can include family members, friends, romantic partners, and employers. In these cases, the trafficker may begin grooming the victim at an early age. Familial trafficking – cases in which trafficking is facilitated directly by family members and/or caregivers – has been found in 44-60 percent of cases within the United States, inclusive of both sex and labor trafficking. In a 2023 study, the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Baylor College of Medicine’s Anti-Human Trafficking Program found that out of 39 U.S. familial trafficking cases, the trafficker was a parent (66.7 percent), an uncle or aunt (12.8 percent), or other family members (3.2 percent).  Additionally, generational exploitation takes place when there is a pattern of trafficking throughout multiple generations of the family, e.g. “this is what little boys in this family do.” In familial trafficking cases, the average age in which children are initially exploited in trafficking is four years old, while 13 years old is the average age of recruitment for other types of child trafficking. Familial trafficking is unique from other forms of trafficking, due to the relationship between a caregiver and a child. As with most children, victims of familial trafficking are taught to listen to their caregivers and the adults in their lives. Because children’s views of morality and ethics are shaped by adults, particularly before age eight, situations of familial traffickingcan often normalize exploitation. Additionally, the familial relationship may result in children having the desire or need to protect family members from legal consequences.  As they seek acceptance, love, and connection, victims can become susceptible to those who gain their trust and love and then subsequently exploit those connections to subject them to trafficking. For this reason, children can also be coerced by friends, romantic partners, or employers.

Misconception 2: Kidnapping is the main form of recruiting children into trafficking 

Another belief is that children are commonly kidnapped for both sex and labor trafficking. According to the Human Trafficking Institute’s 2023 report, in the United States, kidnapping of children occurs in only an estimated 0.45 percentof trafficking cases; which means that, while it does happen, it is rare. More commonly, according to the International Office on Migration’s (IOM) Counter-Trafficking Data Collaborative (CTDC), findings indicate family members recruit children into trafficking due to generational exploitation, financial need, or the belief that they are contributing to the family. In addition, CTDC data indicates that intimate partners recruit minors, often with promises of love, belonging, and protection.  The CTDC indicates that children are also recruited through individuals considered friends, often with promises of provision of basic needs especially for runaway children or those experiencing homelessness. Additionally, in 2020 there was a 22 percent increase in online solicitation and recruitment of children for both sex and labor trafficking, as well as broader child sexual abuse crimes. These recruitment methods can include promises of employment, material needs, finances, and relationships. Children can also be recruited through the promise of educational opportunities. 

Misconception 3: Trafficking only involves sexual exploitation

Child trafficking includes both sex trafficking and forced labor and frequently occurs around the world in sectors such as agriculture, domestic work, construction, fishing, manufacturing, and in competitive sports. In addition, children have been forced to work in begging/peddling, street vending, door-to-door sales, and forced criminality, including drug trafficking. Child trafficking can also include some forms of child marriage, child soldiering, and be present in illegal adoptions for the purpose of exploitation. Of course, children are also exploited in sex trafficking. Child sex trafficking victims may be exploited in many ways and settings, including sexual servitude, some forms of child marriage, sex tourism, escort services, illicit massage businesses, brothels, sextortion, online and in private businesses, such as restaurants, family businesses, bars, or faith-based settings. In addition, child sex trafficking can occur at strip clubs, private residences, private clubs/parties, and on the street. 

Misconception 4: Children easily recover from exploitation

While children are overwhelmingly resilient, human trafficking is a severe violation of trust, love, and one’s body. It is a common misconception that once removed from the trafficking situation children recover quickly. Unfortunately, many children who have experienced human trafficking deal with long-term impacts due to their exploitation.  Research reveals that 90 percent of trafficking survivors live with long-term mental health conditions. The experience of child trafficking often prevents the forming of secure attachments and feelings of safety throughout the individual’s life. Child trafficking victims frequently live with ongoing trauma symptoms, including complex post-traumatic stress and sleep disorders, such as frequent nightmares or waking in the middle of the night. Additional symptoms may include flashbacks, which can be visual, emotional, or somatic, making the survivor feel as though they are re-experiencing the exploitation. Those victimized are often hypervigilant, with many survivors experiencing depression, anxiety, and dissociation, including dissociative disorders. Survivors also can develop addictions, disordered eating, self-harm, and suicidality. Healing from the trauma of trafficking is a long-term process and requires early, specialized, trauma-informed, developmentally-informed, and culturally responsive services.