People vulnerable to trafficking may initially view their relationship with the trafficker in a positive light. The trafficker makes them feel loved, appreciated, valuable and special in a variety of ways.

Sometimes, the trafficker provides basic needs, such as shelter, clothing and food, further deepening the victim’s reliance on the trafficker. Repayment can mean working for the trafficker for little or no pay and, in some cases performing sex acts.

Traffickers often trick or lure victims into forced labor by exploiting vulnerabilities (e.g., offer to pay off debts, protection from abuse, etc.) and then use threats and/or violence to maintain power and control. Traffickers may groom victims over time, building trust and gradually increasing the victim’s dependency on the trafficker.

How victims are targeted

There are several ways a person might be targeted by a trafficker:

• Job opportunities: Some traffickers have posed as legitimate businesses hiring servers, models and hourly workers. Victims were asked to complete applications and I-9 forms, then coerced to work for less money or far from home.
• Dating scenarios: Some victims report meeting traffickers the same way they meet romantic partners (mutual friends, online, etc.) At first, the relationship seems positive, but turns abusive.
• Recruited by friends: Traffickers rely heavily
• on victims to recruit others. Some victims were recruited by co-workers, classmates and friends.
• Born into the life: Some traffickers exploit their own children. Parents may force their kids to sell items (water, souvenirs and newspapers) and/or perform sex acts.