Understanding Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery — a multi-billion dollar criminal industry that denies freedom to 20.9 million people around the world. No matter where you live, chances are it’s happening nearby. From the girl forced into prostitution at a truck stop, to the man discovered in a restaurant kitchen, stripped of his passport, and held against his will. All trafficking victims share one essential experience: the loss of freedom.
Human Trafficking is an exploitive violent, criminal enterprise in Indiana and the Midwest; 178 trafficked youth were identified and served by one Indiana service provider in 2016 alone, with victims first trafficked as young as age 7. The Indiana Protection for Abused and Trafficked Humans (IPATH) task force began its work in 2005 and is now a thriving statewide coalition of state agencies, law enforcement, service providers, faith-based and community groups collaboratively working to prosecute traffickers, protect and serve victims and prevent future trafficking.
The SHARE Group collaborates with IPATH and Northwest Indiana Anti-trafficking Coalition (NWIAC) by sponsoring educational training events. More than three thousand five hundred plus (3,500+) professionals and the public in our region have attended our workshops, bringing awareness to human rights, abuses and being an advocate to do everything we can to fight against it.
Challenges Victims Face
- Labor trafficked victims are primarily foreign-born and typically do not know English, have no community in the U.S., and have extremely limited financial resources.
- Traffickers often know the victim’s family and use threats of violence against them.
- Sex trafficked victims often come from prior abuse or trauma, making them easier to manipulate.
- Victims typically have no meaningful social networks and are isolated, fearful, and ashamed, which prevents them from seeking help.
How You Can Help
Ongoing training is critical to build awareness, identify victims, refer cases appropriately, and respond effectively to human trafficking in Indiana. Collaboration is key for prevention, victim support, and creating safe pathways to recovery. Together, through Prosecution, Protection, and Prevention, we can continue to fight this horrific crime.