The Fight to End Human Trafficking: Exposing the Real Pandemic Part 1

It happens every single day. Unfortunately, it may be taking place in your community. Human trafficking is now a nationwide problem that may be affecting people you have come into contact with. Photo courtesy ChiroHours.

 

An Introduction to a Humanitarian Crisis — Part 1of a 5 Part Series

If you or someone you know needs assistance, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text “BeFree” to 233733. You are not alone. 

 

As you are reading this introduction, it is vitally important that you understand the intention behind this series. These writings are not meant to lead by fear but rather by Faith, education, experience and integrity. In the words of Thomas Jefferson, “Educate and inform the whole mass of the people; they are the only reliance for the preservation of our Liberty.”

 

Greenville County is the third largest hotspot for Human Trafficking in the state behind Charleston and Horry County…

 

Stay we unaware of the plots against our nation, we remain ill equipped to expose and combat them; However, by spreading awareness, by sparking a continued interest in Truth seeking, and by openly receiving this information you become a part of the solution. You become a kink in the deep state machine that intends to keep you in the dark with blinders on serving the government instead of the government serving its people. The moment you become awake, is the moment you reclaim the power provided to you by God and protected in our Constitution. So we invite you to join us on this journey of Awakening, discussing difficult Truths and rediscovering what it means to be a Free American. 

One of the greatest threats facing our nation today is Human Trafficking. In this series we will discuss current events and their impact on Human Trafficking, Human Trafficking Laws, the covering of Human Trafficking by the dominant media and more, so check every article. We will also end with a clear Call to Action for our community arming you with the knowledge and ability to stand strong in the Fight to End Human Trafficking. Let’s get started.

 

As an individual who is entrenched in the Fight to End Human Trafficking, I have seen, heard, and experienced first hand the humanitarian crisis facing our Country. So often when engaging in the discussion, individuals on the receiving end of this information do not realize just how real of an issue this is. Furthermore, they fail to realize just how close to home this issue is hitting. Human Trafficking is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing crimes with the United States being the front runner in Sex Trafficking, according to the United States Department of Defense.

Greenville County is the third largest hotspot for Human Trafficking in the state behind Charleston and Horry County according to the 2020 Attorney General report. There are many factors at play here. For one, Greenville is strategically positioned between Atlanta, GA and Charlotte, NC—two epicenters for Human Trafficking—making Greenville a passthrough county for traffickers. Additionally, there are 9 publicized strip clubs in the Upstate, 6 of those in Greenville alone, and 13 publicized escort services directly affecting the rise in Human Trafficking in our county. In 2019, the SC Attorney General’s (AG) office reported a 360% increase in reported cases. 

 

So what, exactly, is Human Trafficking and why does such an atrocity not only exist but continue to grow across the globe? According to US Law, Human Trafficking (also referred to as “Modern-Day Slavery”) is defined as the use of force, fraud or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts, labor, or services against his or her will. Like with any crime there tends to be a root cause. In my opinion, this humanitarian crisis has two clear motives: 

1. There is evil that exists in our world. It is unpleasant to think about but at the end of the day it is reality. There are certain people that exist solely to satisfy darkness and further an unthinkable agenda in which they revel in the control of others. Human Trafficking is one medium in which these sick individuals can get their kicks.
2. The Money. Human Trafficking is a $150 Billion industry annually with Sex Trafficking making up nearly ⅔ of that total at $99 Billion a year. Many traffickers view this industry as just that—a business. Unlike other industries in which you sell a product once, traffickers sell a person multiple times maximizing their profit. This requires them to put in the time and effort to polish and protect their investment leading us to the “how”. 

 

How does Human Trafficking happen? Before we dig in here, it is important to understand that there are two different types of Human Trafficking: 1) Sex Trafficking and 2) Labor Trafficking. While the concepts I am about to present can and usually do apply to both types of trafficking, I will be focusing on Sex Trafficking in particular.

There are multiple steps that traffickers tend to implement when trafficking an individual, all of which are meticulously crafted to ensure their product will yield the highest profit possible. First, is recruitment. A trafficker must first identify their victim.

There are many ways a trafficker might do this depending on their business model. To better understand this process, let’s quickly discuss the different types of traffickers we encounter. 1) Peer Traffickers: when the trafficker is a “friend” to the victim. This could look like a friend in school telling the victim they have a great job lined up, perhaps a modelling gig, only when the victim arrives at the job is it an adult film shoot. In this instance the “friend” has acted as the trafficker or accomplice to the trafficker and has recruited the victim. 2) Pimp Traffickers: when the trafficker is what we refer to as a “pimp” and has an organized group of victims that typically work “on the streets” as a part of a prostitution ring or in strip clubs. 3) Familial Traffickers: when the trafficker is a member of the victims family. 4) Gang traffickers: when the trafficker is either in a gang or the gang itself acts as the trafficker.

Now that you understand the different types of traffickers that plague our nation, it is easier to recognize how these despicable creatures recruit our youth. The recruitment process is often misunderstood, as so many have the common misconception that the only people being trafficked are kidnapped and held physically against their will while being forced to engage in unthinkable acts. However, this is not always the case. While this does happen from time to time, it is often someone close to the victim that has established some level of trust that becomes the trafficker.

 

Recruitment

A primary mode of recruitment takes place on the internet. Through chat forums, social media accounts, and online platforms, the trafficker has easy access for contacting and establishing an open line of communication without having physical contact with their victim. After contact has been established, a trafficker will spend a significant amount of time communicating with the victim. This begins the second stage of trafficking: Grooming.

 

Grooming

Grooming is the act of shaping or molding an individual through mental, physical and emotional manipulation over long periods of time so that the victim will more easily comply with the desires of the trafficker. More often than not, grooming continues for years after physical contact with the victim and solidifies the traffickers investment ensuring their “product” will produce the highest profit possible. Next is the breaking stage.

 

“Breaking”

This stage tends to introduce a violent, controlling component to counteract the trusting façade previously established with the victim. This makes it clear to the victim that the trafficker is in control of the situation and begins to take an even heavier mental toll. For example, if the trafficker in this scenario is a familial trafficker, the trust factor has been established through growing up around the trafficker. The victim has a preconceived notion that the trafficker is to be trusted and should be a safe individual to be around, however, unfortunately after years of grooming, the victim tends to have a warped sense of “trust” or “love”. Then when the trafficker begins acting excessively violent, controlling, or forceful with the victim a state of sheer confusion sets in.

The historical experience with the trafficker and societal sense of family tells the victim the trafficker should be trusted and safe but an introduction of unusual behavior makes the victim begin to question the traffickers motives; however, that historical bond tends to outweigh the unusual behavior and oftentimes makes the victim believe they are the problem.

If you are reading this and have experienced something similar, let me take a moment and assure you—you are NOT the problem and you are not alone. At this point, a common effect takes place referred to as “Stockholm Syndrome” in which the victim creates a trauma bond with their trafficker making mental escape from the situation that much more difficult.

 

Turnout

Finally, the last stage of trafficking, specifically sex trafficking, is known as Turnout. This is the first time a victim is forced to perform a commercial sex act. Once a victim is “turned out”, lines begin to blur for a return from “the life” or the act of being trafficked as they have “already done it once, so what’s a second, third,… time”. This long, drawn-out process is excruciating for a victim and should not be taken lightly but it should be stated that there is hope and Light for anyone who has experienced, or is currently experiencing, Human Trafficking.

We have covered the basics, and while we did not go into every detail, I understand the information shared in this article is heavy. Let’s take a moment to recognize that now armed with this knowledge we have a responsibility to do something with it. After you have taken the amount of time you need to process through this information come back and continue reading to learn what you can do to make a difference in the lives of more than 40 million people who have experienced Human Trafficking. 

 

“Every individual has a place to fill in the world and is important, in some respect, whether he chooses to be so or not.” — Nathaniel Hawthorne

 

You have an opportunity to be the Light that shines in the darkness for so many and you can make a huge impact with little effort. First and foremost, if someone you know has experienced or is experiencing Human Trafficking it is vitally important that you come alongside that person and be the friend they have longed for.

You have an obligation to not only tell them they are loved, but show them they are loved in the true and pure sense of the word. Also, you are not their savior, so don’t try to be. Making statements like, “Who did this to you?”, “I’m going to do something about it”, “You have to fight this”, or taking on a tone of anger or protection is not the best way to go.

While I completely understand that this may be a natural reaction—trust me, at times I want to jump into action and hunt down the perpetrator too, we must be in control of our emotions. This type of response can often make the victim uncomfortable and push them away as opposed to showing them you’re genuinely interested in their health and safety.

Instead, let them lead the conversation. Don’t pry for information but let them know you are there for them when they are ready to discuss it and that if they want to seek out assistance and justice you will help them but that you will allow them to dictate that process. And then be there for them. Be consistent, be gentle, be caring, be a best friend and always be ready to seek professional help when the victim is ready. Save the National Human Trafficking Hotline in the beginning of this article and have it on you at all times. 

 

CALL TO ACTION

Here is your call to action for this series, so take note. Everyone can do this and you can’t possibly imagine the positive impact this can have on the community around you.

1. Go to your nearest office supply store and purchase a stack of sticky notes.
2. On each sticky note, write the following: “End Human Trafficking. If you or someone you know needs assistance call 1-888-373-7888 or text “BeFree” to 233733. You are not alone.”
3. Begin placing these sticky notes around the following public places that we know Human Trafficking takes place or where victims may frequent: Rest Areas, Truck Stops, Public Restrooms, Hotels, Restaurants, Gas Stations, Big Box Stores, Schools, Churches, Clubs, Homeless Shelters/Soup Kitchens, Parks/Common Areas, and anyplace you feel may be necessary.

 

How could this possibly help, you might ask? You never know when a victim may have a split second away from their trafficker, see your sticky note, stuff it in their pocket and pray for an opportunity to make a call or text. That split second and your sticky note could be the very thing that saves their life.

With the National Human Trafficking Hotline open 24/7/365, it gives them a fighting chance. Be sure to include the text line as not many victims have access to phone calls—sometimes sending a text is much more discrete and doable. 

Finally, here are a few resources you can explore if you’d like to learn more about Human Trafficking and be sure to check back soon for the next part in this series.  

www.polarisproject.org

www.humantraffickinghotline.org

www.justice.gov/humantrafficking/press-room

 

National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text “BeFree” to 233733.

Thank you for choosing to be a part of the solution.

 

Dakota Fitzgerald is 2nd Vice Chair of the Greenville County GOP, an America First MAGA Patriot whose vision is to embolden others to embrace, wholly, their duty and contribution to humanity while forming a more perfect Union and fighting to End Human Trafficking.

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