Human trafficking is a topic we have trouble understanding. By definition, human trafficking is the action or practice of illegally transporting people from one country or area to another for the purpose of sexual exploitation but that’s definitely not the being if it. To us, it is a conversation we keep quiet and it’s time to open the conversation.  

Through social media, we are able to connect to anyone around the world. A huge part of finding someone to bring in to the world of human trafficking is using social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. Traffickers use a process called “grooming”. Grooming is finding a person who you can lend help making the trafficker a trusted and needed a person in their lives. (per. dworakpeck.usc.edu)

Traffickers can groom by giving money, clothes, food, or personal advice; this can go on for months or even years. After getting a strong base with the victim, depending on the situation, the traffickers may withhold traveling visas, threaten family, or even abuse the victim. Although grooming can be a huge part of how a victim is brought into this type of life it’s not the only way this can happen. There are many known ways that someone can be tricked or even abducted into this life. There are reports of people finding upside down honey jars on people’s cars, a piece of paper put under windshield wipers that obstruct the driver’s view, and even placing another victim in a secluded area and setting up a trap. With knowing what you can look for is just half of the battle of stopping this horrendous act. (per acf.hhs.gov) 

The other half of the battle is knowing what you can do next.. How to react and report once you see one of these traps and how your reaction can mean survival if you are in your car and alone, in a secluded, or quiet area. The best thing to do is get in your car and lock it. Call the local police or the human trafficking hotline at 1 (888) 373-7888 as soon as you can. As well as knowing what to do at the moment it’s knowing how to prevent. Reporting suspicious behavior to local police. To report odd behavior brings people in the light and can even reporting foot traffic constant in an out seeing the same person or groups with constant cycling people. All we want to do is help these people who are in need and sometimes all you can do is give the victims a resource, a place to be, a place to go. (per dworakpeck.usc.edu and Sargent Hendricks at Williston PD) 

In our world we have we can only prepare, prevent, and convict. We need to keep our eyes out and keep gaining more knowledge and know that it is in our backyards and do what we can to keep our friends, family, and community safe. If anything is taken away from this article takeaway is the want to continue your education in safety.