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© 2019 by RED OAK HOPE

Much of the conversation [around human trafficking]

has been superficial, incomplete and distorted - leading

to a tragically inadequate response.

Alison Brysk

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HERE'S HOW WE

REFRAME THE ISSUE. 

When most people think of sex trafficking, they imagine girls being kidnapped, held against their will, and sold for sex. Oftentimes people think everyone in the commercial sex industry is a victim of sex trafficking.

 

The reality is, it's just not that simple.

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Because of this, we focus on EXPLOITATION rather than

only trafficking or the commercial sex industry. 

 Sexual 

 Exploitation Is :

any actual or attempted sexual abuse for the purpose of the perpetrator's profit financially, socially, or politically.

WHAT MAKES PEOPLE VULNERABLE TO EXPLOITATION?

Anyone can fall victim to exploitation- regardless of gender, race, religion, economic status, nationality, or education. Still, the below factors can make someone particularly vulnerable: 

POLITICAL

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Political instability

War or civil unrest

Corruption

Illegal status

SOCIAL

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Gender inequality

Discrimination

Oppressive religious beliefs

Lack of social support

ECONOMIC

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Poverty

Lack of opportunity

Homelessness

Allure of opportunity 

OTHER

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Previous trauma

Previous abuse

Mental or physical disability

Substance abuse

There are  40 MILLION  victims of human trafficking today:

15 MILLION  victims of forced marriage, and

5 MILLION  victims of forced sexual labor.

While human trafficking is absolutely one of the greatest calamities of our time, what about survivors of exploitation who may not be categorized as "trafficking victims"?

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What we've seen to be true is that

peoples' experience of exploitation, abuse, powerlessness, and restriction ranges along a continuum.

SCROLL BELOW FOR EXAMPLE STORIES: 

Some of these individuals would be clearly labeled as victims of human trafficking.

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SOME MAY NOT BE.

Regardless, we believe all of them deserve more.

Complex problems require

complex solutions, and

everybody has a role to play. 

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JOIN US.

We know that shifting the focus from trafficking to exploitation may seem superfluous or unnecessary. But we believe semantics matter, and we're

committed to honesty and honoring the nuance in every story. 

STILL WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Here are some of our favorite resources

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