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January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, which provides me an opportunity to share some of the complexities surrounding the issue from my past role as a Commercial Sexual Exploitation in Children trainer. Human trafficking isn’t something that happens only in developing countries; it is a very real public health issue and crime in communities all over the world, including ours. 

What Is Human Trafficking? 

The United Nations’ Palermo Protocol defines human trafficking as the use of force, fraud, and coercion to exploit people for labor or commercial sex. It is a global crisis, with over 40 million individuals entrapped in modern slavery—4.8 million in forced sexual exploitation—of which more than 70% are women and girls. Despite these staggering numbers, male survivors are often overlooked, receiving inadequate support and recognition. 

The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) is a particularly egregious form of trafficking, involving minors under 18 in sexual activity in exchange for something of value (food, shelter, money, even a vape pen). One key difference with CSEC is that the use of coercion is not required. This is not a matter of choice or consent—there is NO SUCH THING as a teen/child prostitute. The average age of entry into CSEC is alarmingly young, ranging from 12 to 16. Many victims are treated as commercial and sexual objects. A barrier to reporting accurate numbers is that youth, especially male and transgender youth, may report engaging in “survival sex” to meet basic needs – survival sex is still CSEC. Recognized as a form of violence against children, CSEC highlights the need for greater awareness and action to combat these atrocities. 

What Causes Someone To Be Vulnerable? 

• Individual Hardships: 
  • Homelessness, being in the foster care system, and poverty increase vulnerability. Homeless youth often depend on others for food and shelter, leaving them open to exploitation. 
    • Did you know? 91% of homeless youth report being approached with too-good-to-be-true opportunities. Nearly 1 in 5 homeless youth have been victims of trafficking. 
• Family and Personal Factors: 
  • Family abuse, neglect, drug and alcohol exposure. 
  • Experiences of physical or sexual violence (affecting 65-90% of CSEC victims). 
  • Teen relationship violence and sexual abuse create openings for traffickers to groom victims. 
• Community and Environmental Risks: 
  • Communities with strong adult sex industries, transient male populations, or gang activity. 
  • Areas with high levels of poverty or proximity to borders. 
• Societal Norms: 
  • Objectification and sexualization of girls. 
  • Systemic sexism/toxic masculinity, gender inequality, and classism. 
  • Racism, which heightens the risk for marginalized groups. 
  • Homophobia and transphobia, leaving LGBTQ+ youth especially vulnerable. 
  • Glorification of pimping and societal materialism. 

High-Risk Populations 

• Minorities: 
  • Overrepresented in foster care and juvenile justice systems. 
  • Often targeted by traffickers in these environments. 
• Undocumented Youth: 
  • Face isolation, fear of deportation, and language barriers. 
  • Cultural taboos make exploitation harder to report. 
• Youth with Intellectual Disabilities: 
  • Vulnerable due to lack of awareness about exploitation. 
  • Easily manipulated and unfamiliar with sexual boundaries and consent. 

Addressing the systemic barriers and cultural norms that perpetuate CSEC is vital for prevention and creating safer communities for all youth. 

Warning Signs of Trafficking 

Recognizing the warning signs of CSEC is essential to protecting vulnerable youth. While not all cases present identically, there are several key indicators that a young person may be experiencing exploitation: 

• Prior arrest for a prostitution-related charge 
  • Not all CSEC victims are arrested for a prostitution-related charge especially now that minors cannot be charged for soliciting in certain states. Remember, there is NO SUCH THING as a “child prostitute.” 
• Signs of being in a domestic violence relationship  
• Either in a relationship with an adult or expresses interest in an older adult  
• Frequent AWOLs (running away) over an extended period of time - being defensive and guarded about their time away 
• New tattoos on visible parts of the body  
• Has new belongings with no means to purchase them  
• Notable change in status  
• Begins dressing very sexualized   
• Missing from home/school at different hours  
• Posting sexually explicit photos/comments on social media  
• Glamorizes the commercial sex industry  
• Uses CSEC slang (in “the life” or “the game,” “tricks”) 
• Themes of CSEC appear in the youth’s treatment such as the youth’s art and journaling  
• Youth are picked up by law enforcement in areas known for CSEC activity 

But What Can I Do? 

Combatting human trafficking starts with education and awareness. Learn to recognize the signs. Advocate for policies that protect vulnerable populations and support organizations like Faces of Hope that work to rehabilitate survivors. Volunteer your time, donate resources, or share information to aid in the fight against trafficking. We can challenge the systems and attitudes that enable this exploitation and create a safer world for our children. 

Sources and Further Reading: Farley, M., Cotton, A., Lynne, J., Zumbeck, S., Spiwak, F., Reyes, M., et al. (2003a). Prostitution and trafficking in nine countries: An update on violence and posttraumatic stress disorder. In M. Farley (Ed.), Prostitution, trafficking, and traumatic stress (pp. 33–74). Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press. as cited in Countryman-Roswurm, K., & Bolin, B.L. (2014). Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: Assessing and Reducing Risk. Child Adolescent Social Work Journal, 31, 521-538.; Farley, M., Ross, C., & Schwartz, H. (2003b). Dissociation among women in prostitution. In M. Farley (Ed.), Prostitution, trafficking, and traumatic stress (pp. 199–212). Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press. as cited in Countryman-Roswurm, K., & Bolin, B.L. (2014). Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: Assessing and Reducing Risk. Child Adolescent Social Work Journal, 31, 521-538.; Tyler, K. A., & Johnson, K. A. (2004). Victims and offenders: Accounts of paybacks, invulnerability, and financial gain among homeless youth. Deviant Behavior, 25, 427–449. Taylor and Francis Group. as cited in Countryman-Roswurm, K., & Bolin, B.L. (2014). Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: Assessing and Reducing Risk. Child Adolescent Social Work Journal, 31, 521-538.; Naramore, R., & Bright, M., Epps, N., & Hardt, N.S. (2015). Youth Arrested for Trading Sex Have the Highest Rates of Childhood Adversity: A Statewide Study of Juvenile Offenders. Sexual Abuse: a Journal of Research and Treatment. 29(4), 396-410.; Reid, J., Baglivio, M., Piquero, A., Greenwald, M., & Epps, N. (2018). No Youth Left Behind to Human Trafficking: Exploring Profiles of Risk. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry.; Cobbina, J.E., & Oselin, S.S. (2011). It’s Not Only for the Money: An Analysis of Adolescent versus Adult Entry into Street Prostitution. Sociological Inquiry, 81, 310-32.