Thread by @FBI

On National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, the #FBI would like to address some common myths about #humantrafficking to raise awareness of labor trafficking and sex trafficking. #EndTrafficking

Myth: Human trafficking is the same as sex trafficking.
Reality: Human trafficking is modern day slavery that involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel someone to provide labor, services, or commercial sex. #EndTrafficking

Myth: Labor trafficking is only or primarily a problem in developing countries.
Reality: Labor trafficking happens in the U.S. and in other developed countries, but it is reported at lower rates than sex trafficking. #EndTrafficking

Myth: Only women and girls are victims and survivors of sex trafficking.
Reality: One study estimates that as many as half of sex trafficking victims and survivors are male. LGBTQ boys and young men are seen as particularly vulnerable. #EndTrafficking

Myth: Traffickers only target strangers.
Reality: Some victims are strangers to their traffickers, but many survivors are trafficked by family members, partners or spouses, and even their own parents or guardians. #EndTrafficking

Myth: Human trafficking victims are always kidnapped or physically forced into a situation.
Reality: Most traffickers use psychological means, such as tricking, defrauding, manipulating, or threatening victims into providing commercial sex or exploitative labor. #EndTrafficking

If you are a victim of human trafficking or if you have tips about a potential trafficking situation, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888. #EndTrafficking