Media is being flooded about child sex trafficking. Here's the truth!






Defending Dignity Weekly Newsletter

Highlights: #TraffickingTruths resources to help you share the facts and direct your networks to helpful information rather than conspiracy theories and misrepresentations.

#TraffickingTruths: Realities of Child Sex Trafficking! ([link removed])

We are especially optimistic about the sudden mass interest in the issue of child sex trafficking! It has been trending online now for a couple of weeks. 

Right now, we are experiencing a cultural moment centered on combatting the devastating and very real issue of child sex trafficking. However, despite the well-meaning intent behind much of this national discussion, many of the theories and social media posts being passed around are riddled with misconceptions that actively harm the anti-trafficking movement. 

We cannot simply ignore ill-informed takes on sex trafficking because the subconscious acceptance of the narratives they create make it more difficult to address real problems and implement effective change and reform.

Get the FACTS behind SIX misconceptions so we can really #SaveTheChildren.

MISCONCEPTION: Sensational, popular action films like Taken or viral conspiracies like Wayfair are accurate depictions of how sex trafficking occurs. 

REALITY: Most sex traffickers prefer to develop relationships with their targets—sometimes virtually ([link removed]) and sometimes in-person ([link removed])—in order to methodically groom and traffic them. Child sex trafficking often involves a person who knew the child or even a family member of the child.

MISCONCEPTION: Child trafficking victims are usually white children with blonde hair and kept in dirty basements with chains. 

REALITY: In active federal cases of sex trafficking in 2019, only 5.3% of cases involved cages, locked rooms, or barred cells. Most victims are groomed and held captive through psychological abuse, manipulation, and coercion that can be difficult to identify ([link removed]). Sex trafficking can happen without the child being kidnapped at all!

MISCONCEPTION: “This could never happen to my child” or, “that would never happen in this neighborhood”. 

REALITY: While it’s true that most victims of child sex trafficking are children of color or come from backgrounds of poverty or abuse, it is also absolutely true that trafficking can happen in any community, to children from stable home environments.

MISCONCEPTION: Pornography and prostitution have nothing to do with sex trafficking. 

REALITY: Sex trafficking only exists because of the demand for paid sex.

MISCONCEPTION: Once a child is rescued, the work is done.
 
REALITY: You cannot solve trafficking by swooping in and stealing the victim back from the traffickers. While rescue is critical, it is PREVENTION that will stop this problem. Moreover, recovery and healing is a process that often lasts a lifetime.

MISCONCEPTION: Sex trafficking will never go away completely. 
REALITY: This issue can feel overwhelming, but we should never give up hope!

No matter how involved you are able to be in this moment, hold on to hope! Victories are being won ([link removed]) in these dark spaces and momentum is growing to see them eradicated entirely.

Let’s stay the course and work together to build a world free from sexual exploitation!

Read & Share This Article ([link removed])

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Real Sex Trafficking Statistics: A Look at the Federal Human Trafficking Report ([link removed])

The information in this comprehensive report is helpful for law enforcement agencies and anti-trafficking organizations to understand the types of people who are at-risk for being trafficked.

Read More ([link removed])

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Download a Free #TraffickingTruths E-Book ([link removed]) 

An incredible new campaign started by our friend and ally in the movement, Rebecca Bender ([link removed]), called Trafficking Truths is so timely to the discourse about child sex trafficking happening all over the internet and media.

Rebecca highlights 7 of the most common myths about sex trafficking, and offers reliable resources and facts to help protect your kids and community. 

Download Here ([link removed])

Get Involved Today:

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With gratitude,

Dawn Hawkins

Sr. Vice President and Executive Director

National Center on Sexual Exploitation

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