“I think people are always shocked that it actually happens here, that people are being sexually exploited every day in our community.”
That hard truth is one of many Andrea Keller shares as the Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinator with Wedgwood Christian Services.
Another is that trafficking begins less often with kidnapping by a stranger and more often through grooming by someone the victim knows.
“That perpetrator is going to take the time to develop trust with their victims. and then over time, they're going to slowly isolate them from other trustworthy people or friendships or other relationships they have and eventually get them to be reliant on that trafficker. So, it's a long process.”
Keller cites a study by the Polaris Project which runs the national tip line.
“They conducted the study in 2023 with 500 survivors of both labor and sex trafficking. And what they found is that nearly 40% of victims were trafficked by a family member.”
Keller offers trafficking indicators including children with sexual knowledge beyond their years and individuals who appear controlled or spoken for by others.
Additional red flags include teens who frequently run away, face social isolation, or make excuses for an abuser’s behavior.
“It's really hard to see in public. This is one of those crimes that I think kind of flies can fly under the radar because it's so relational.”
More information on what to look for and actions to take can be found on the Wedgwood Christian Services website.
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