Myth: Human Trafficking Always Involves Physical Violence

Fact: Most traffickers use psychological means such as, tricking, lying, manipulating or threatening victims into providing commercial sex or labor.

Myth: Traffickers target victims they don’t know.

Fact: Over 90% of human trafficking victims know their trafficker.  Most people are trafficked by romantic partners, family members, friends or bosses.

Myth: All human trafficking is sex trafficking
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Fact:  Experts believe there are more situations of labor trafficking than sex trafficking in the world, but there is much wider awareness of sex trafficking in the U.S.

Myth:  Human Trafficking Doesn’t Occur in Indiana
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Fact: The Indiana Trafficking Victims Assistance Program (ITVAP) has served over 5,000 trafficked and exploited youth under  the age of 24 since 2015.

Myth: People in active trafficking situations always want help getting out.
 

Fact: Every trafficking situation is unique. Fear, strong feelings, and manipulation may keep a person from seeking help. Survivors must determine that they want to leave the situation. Sometimes they get help from service providers, or anti trafficking organizations. The concept of “rescuing” trafficking victims is misleading and dangerous.