Have you ever made the statement, or had the thought "not in my community", "those things don't happen here", "I've never seen it"?
The truth is that human trafficking is everywhere. In 2017, 309 cases of human trafficking were reported to the helplines from Michigan, an increase from 251 reported cases in 2016.
So now that we can see that it DOES happen in our communities. Let's answer some of the other common myths about human trafficking.
Myth: Human Trafficking is only sex trafficking
Truth: of the 20.9 million victims of Human Trafficking globally 68% forced labor, 22% sexually exploited, 10% state-imposed forced labor
Myth: Human Trafficking victims will self-identify
Truth: 50% of victims had contact with a health care professional, NONE were identified as a victim.
Myth: Human Trafficking is not in my community
Truth: 30,000+ cases of potential Human Trafficking reported in all 50 states, DC and US Territories.
Myth: Human Trafficking only affects the victim
Truth: The crime of human trafficking is a symptom of a societal problem.
Myth: Human Trafficking only happens to children
Truth: since 2012, national hotline cases reported: 62% adults
Myth: Human Trafficking only happens to women
Truth: since 2012, national hotline cases reported 18% men.
The full human trafficking data report can be found here. Let's be well informed so that we can help make the invisible visible.