D O N A T E

Much of the conversation [around human trafficking]

has been superficial, incomplete and distorted - leading

to a tragically inadequate response.

Alison Brysk

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.

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.

1 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:

2

POLITICAL

Political instability

War or civil unrest

Corruption

Illegal status

SOCIAL

Gender inequality

Discrimination

Oppressive religious beliefs

Lack of social support

ECONOMIC

Poverty

Lack of opportunity

Homelessness

Allure of opportunity

OTHER

Previous trauma

Previous abuse

Mental or physical disability

Substance abuse

LEARN HOW WE ADDRESS THESE RISK FACTORS

There are 40 MILLION victims of human trafficking today:

15 MILLION victims of forced marriage, and

5 MILLION victims of forced sexual labor.

3 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"?

What we've seen to be true is that

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

4 SCROLL BELOW FOR EXAMPLE STORIES:

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

SOME MAY NOT BE.

Regardless, we believe all of them deserve more.

LEARN HOW WE SERVE SURVIVORS

Complex problems require

complex solutions, and

everybody has a role to play.

JOIN US.

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VOLUNTEER

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

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.

​

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.

1

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:

2

POLITICAL

​

Political instability

War or civil unrest

Corruption

Illegal status

SOCIAL

​

Gender inequality

Discrimination

Oppressive religious beliefs

Lack of social support

ECONOMIC

​

Poverty

Lack of opportunity

Homelessness

Allure of opportunity

OTHER

​

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.

3

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"?

​

What we've seen to be true is that

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

4

SCROLL BELOW FOR EXAMPLE STORIES:

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

​

SOME MAY NOT BE.

Regardless, we believe all of them deserve more.

Complex problems require

complex solutions, and

everybody has a role to play.

​

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.

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Here are some of our favorite resources

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*To protect confidentiality, all names of beneficiaries have been changed and stock photos may be used. See our Media Ethics Policy for more information.