Sexual Abuse and Human Trafficking
Victims of sexual abuse are more susceptible to human trafficking. There is hope and healing for survivors.
Human trafficking is an illegal activity that has long-lasting physical, social, and psychological consequences for the survivor. Over 90% of human trafficking victims have been sexually abused as a child. Most of the public remains unaware of how big this issue is here in the US and wrongfully assumes this is only an international concern. It is estimated that approximately 27 million individuals worldwide are enslaved and no people group is left untouched by this crime.
The US Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (TVPA) defines trafficking as “all acts involved in the recruitment, transportation, harboring, transfer, sale, or receipt of persons, within national or international borders through force, coercion, fraud, or deception; to place persons in situations of slavery or slavery-like conditions, forced labor or services, such as prostitution or sexual service, domestic servitude, bonded sweatshop labor, or debt bondage.” It is considered an organized crime. Sex trafficking can include forced prostitution, pornography, forced marriages, commercial sex occupations, and cybersex. Trafficking forces a human to become a commodity and the goal of the trafficker is to exploit a victim for profit.
The FBI estimates that over 51% of all trafficked people in the US are children. However, trafficking can happen to anyone of any age. They can be male or female and come from any socio-economic background, educational level, nationality, or ethnicity. Some groups are in a higher risk category for human trafficking. Traffickers specifically target victims they can coerce or control through physical force, fraud, deception, or violence. Sexual abuse victims are more vulnerable to deception and may feel that sexual violence is normalized in their lives. Impoverished communities are more susceptible to coercion or exploitation from traffickers. Those with a history of alcohol or drug addiction or those with disabilities are also at a higher risk.
Child sexual abuse or molestation survivors are more susceptible to being trafficked. Children who grew up in families that did not proactively protect them through age-appropriate boundaries can be at a greater risk category for trafficking. Lack of a secure bond or attachment between parent and child can leave a child starving for affection and attention that traffickers can easily exploit. Emotional or physical abuse or abandonment is also a risk factor. A child who grew up in these types of environments did not learn proper body safety or were unable to say “no” to inappropriate touches. Trees of Hope provides age-appropriate prevention resources for parents that can help them establish boundaries for their children. We also offer A Parent’s Guide on Human Trafficking.
Survivors of trafficking may feel a powerful emotional attachment to their perpetrators that was strengthened through numerous traumatic events. These bonds are hard to break due to attachment, identity, or worldview distortion. If you have experienced sexual abuse or have been a victim of human trafficking, you may feel a deep sense of loss and grief. Trees of Hope is here to help. Shelter Groups create a supportive space where survivors can share their experiences without fearing judgment. Explore our upcoming Healing Groups in South Florida Melbourne, and Orlando. For those outside these regions, Shelter Online is also available.
