Vulnerable to Trafficking

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“It can happen to anyone,” and “it’s happening in your backyard,” are common in the anti-human trafficking field. Technically, they are true: Anyone can be trafficked, in any community, just as anyone can be the victim of any kind of crime. But the real story is that while it can happen to anyone available evidence suggests that people of color and LGBTQ+ people are more likely to be trafficked than other demographic groups. That’s not a coincidence. Generational trauma, historic oppression, discrimination and other societal factors and inequities create community-wide vulnerabilities. Traffickers recognize and take advantage of people who are vulnerable in certain ways.

• Has an unstable living situation
• Has a history of domestic violence
• Has a caregiver or family member who has a substance abuse issue
• Are runaways or planning to runaway
• Involved the juvenile justice system
• Involved in the foster care system
• Are undocumented immigrants
• Are facing poverty or economic need
• Has a history of sexual abuse
• Are addicted to drugs or alcohol
• Affiliated or influenced by gangs
• Has a high ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) score

*Not all vulnerabilities listed above are present in every human trafficking situation, and the presence or absence of any of these vulnerabilities is not necessarily proof of human trafficking.