Debunking the Myths of Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is among the world’s fastest growing criminal enterprises in the world.

The Department of Homeland Security reports traffickers often take advantage of the privacy and anonymity accessible through the hospitality industry.

“If we were connected in person today, there would be a high probability that there was a perpetrator or victim nearby,” said Malinda Harrell, CMP, CASE, director of sales at the Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau, during an MPI-CC virtual meeting on
January 28.

During Harrell’s presentation, “Debunking the MYTHS of Human Trafficking and what we can do to FIGHT it,” she explained the two types of perpetrators – exploiter and trafficker – and that a person can be both a trafficker and an exploiter. An exploiter buys sex from a trafficking victim, and a trafficker compels another individual to perform labor or a commercial sex act, often by means of force, fraud and/or coercion.

Harrell, who serves on the MPI Anti-Human Trafficking Committee, also addressed common myths about human trafficking, including the following:

MYTH: Only women and girls can be victims of sex trafficking.
REALITY: Men and boys are also victimized by sex traffickers. The International Labor Organization estimates that there are 40.3 million victims of human trafficking globally. In the U.S., the common age of entry into trafficking is 13 for girls and 11 for boys. Targeted victims include LGBTQ youth, sexually abused youth, runaways and homeless youth.

MYTH: Traffickers target victims they don’t know through use of a violent crime, like kidnapping.
REALITY: Traffickers use psychological means, such as tricking, defrauding, manipulating and threatening victims. Many survivors have been trafficked by romantic partners or family members.

MYTH: Victims are locked up and held against their will.
REALITY: While that is sometimes the case, people in trafficking situations often stay for reasons that are more complicated. Some lack the basic necessities to physically get out – such as transportation or a safe place to live. Some are afraid for their safety. Some have been so effectively manipulated that they do not identify at that point as being under the control of another person.

Additional myths and facts can be found here.

What can we do? Harrell offered the following advice:

ASK QUESTIONS.
• Do the companies I’m contracting with understand their influence? Do they practice corporate social responsibility or community engagement? Do they include human rights of sustainability in their RFPs?
• Is my company involved with fighting human trafficking? Does my company do any employee training on human trafficking? Is my company a member of The Code, a multi-stakeholder initiative with the mission to provide awareness, tools and support to the tourism industry to prevent the sexual exploitation of children?

VISIT THE MPI ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING page for resources, including sample anti-human trafficking language RFP and contract language.

DOWNLOAD THE TRAFFICKCAM APP, which uses crowdsourced snapshots of hotel rooms to help law enforcement locate victims and prosecute sex traffickers.

ADD THE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE TO YOUR CONTACTS LIST in your phone to contact law enforcement: 1-866-347-2423.

VOLUNTEER YOUR SUPPORT AND DONATE TO ORGANIZATIONS FIGHTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING. “Most charities are understaffed and underfunded,” Harrell explained. “There’s plenty of organizations that can let you help remotely also.”

USE YOUR VOICE AND USE THE POWER OF DEMOCRACY. Write to and call your senators, legislators and other leaders about the importance of fighting human trafficking in your state and community.

LEARN MORE about human trafficking.

CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA. “Research and choose a few anti-trafficking organizations with strong social media content to follow,” Harrell said. “When something is on your feed about slavery, which is human trafficking, it grabs your attention and it reminds you about the global issue. When you share the content with your online community, add a personal message talking about why you care, and use your influence to remind these people about the things that matter.”