Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud or coercion to compel someone into labor or commercial sex. But what does that really mean? Let’s break it down.  

When people hear the words human trafficking, they often picture dramatic scenes from a movie: kidnappings, white vans, people locked away. In reality, it looks very different, and it happens much closer to home.  

Human Trafficking doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it is not an isolated or random incident. Rather, it’s the result of bigger problems, like poverty, abuse, discrimination, and lack of support/resources. These vulnerabilities create the perfect circumstances for exploitation to take root. 

One of the biggest misconceptions is that trafficking is committed by strangers. But in most situations, victims are trafficked by someone they know, like a family member, friend, community member, or employer. Traffickers use trust and relationships as tools to manipulate and exploit.  

At its core, human trafficking is the exploitation of people for profit. Traffickers use threats, abuse, manipulation, or lies to force someone to work or perform sex acts. It’s all about power, exploitation, and money.  

Survivors have taught us that traffickers are experts at identifying and exploiting people who are struggling. They typically target someone with unmet needs; someone who’s hungry, scared, alone, or just trying to survive. Then, they offer what seems like help: a job, a place to stay, maybe even love or friendship. But that “help” comes with strings attached.  

While anyone can fall victim to trafficking, those who are already marginalized or in a crisis are especially vulnerable. That includes immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, those without stable housing, children in the welfare system, people with criminal records, and individuals isolated from their families or communities.   

To fight this human rights abuse, we have to create strong communities, healthy families, inclusive policies, and economic opportunities to help build a defense against exploitation. Ending human trafficking means working toward systems where needs are met and survivors have a safe place like Mosaic to turn to. 

On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, join Mosaic to be part of the solution!  

You can get involved by:  

  • Donating: Every dollar given creates opportunities for survivors to rebuild their lives. 
  • Volunteering: Get your company involved to make a difference!  
  • Requesting a speaker: Deepen your understanding of human trafficking and bring awareness to your community.