Human trafficking can occur in any community and impact anyone. However, traffickers do seek out vulnerable individuals—those experiencing economic hardship, psychological or emotional susceptibilities, or lacking support system. Often times a “grooming” process is used, whereby a trafficker gets to know their victim, identifies their vulnerabilities and creates a false perception of love or security. When the “grooming” process ends, victimization begins, and that false perception of love/security is used in conjunction with violence.

Traffickers use various tactics to gain control of their victims, including force, fraud, coercion, abuse (psychological, physical, and financial), threats, and isolation from family and friends. False promises are made to establish a sense of security to those who may be more vulnerable. Once control has been imposed, victims are forced into labor or commercial sexual exploitation.