Human Trafficking
National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
Does Sex Trafficking Happen Here?
Yes, unfortunately. Through our outreach, we are constantly meeting women from Maine who have been exploited in Maine. Sex trafficking occurs in every country in the world and all fifty states in the United States. No place is immune to human trafficking, not even Maine.
What Is Sex Trafficking?
Sex trafficking is the abuse of individuals in order to profit from their participation in commercial sex. Traffickers use means of force, fraud, and coercion to compel their victims to participate in the commercial sex industry, and then keep the profit for themselves. Traffickers do not exclusively use physical violence. They also employ manipulation, threats, and psychological and emotional abuse to keep their victims under their control. In addition to this, any participation of a minor in the commercial sex industry is federally classified as sex trafficking, as minors do not have the capacity to consent to commercial sex.
What Can You Do?
Prevention
Build healthy relationships with vulnerable members of your community. Most victims of sex trafficking first experience sexual exploitation while they are still children. Volunteer at after school programs. Reach out to the parents in your community who are struggling. Become a foster parent. There are plenty of ways to intervene in a child's life at a young age. If you show genuine love and care to the children in your community, they are less likely to be fooled by the counterfeit love offered by traffickers.
Intervention
If you see something, say something. Keep your eyes open, and notice the vulnerable members of your community. Pay attention and reach out to those who are isolated. Speak up when you see your friends in unhealthy relationships. Most importantly, if you suspect human trafficking is occurring, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline number above.
Extension
Continue to educate yourself on the subject of human trafficking and exploitation, and share this information with those around you. Make sure your children are aware of the dangers and red flags. Let your local law enforcement know that you want them to combat human trafficking in your community. Finally, support survivors of human trafficking and agencies working to combat human trafficking. We deeply appreciate your donations and prayers for our ministry, and we are blessed to partner with so many wonderful community agencies and individual survivors who are fighting human trafficking. Survivors of human trafficking and exploitation deserve the support of the whole community as they work towards restoration and justice.
