MYTH Trafficking is something strangers do.

REALITY Exploitation often involves people victims know, trust, or depend on. Traffickers may present themselves as family members, romantic partners, employers, mentors, friends, or protectors before exploiting that trust. The relationship itself is often used as a tool of manipulation, making exploitation difficult to recognize and even harder to leave. Trust should never be used as a weapon.

WARNING SIGNS

• Pressure disguised as opportunity

• Trusted adults controlling access, choices, or relationships

• Secrecy around money, work, relationships, or activities

• Loyalty being used as leverage

• Someone discouraging contact with family, friends, or support systems

• A person feeling unable to say no without consequences

Recognizing the signs can help prevent exploitation before it escalates.

Learn the signs.

Understand the realities.

Protect your community.

Visit: ThisIsTrafficking.com