There are many misconceptions about human trafficking in our communities such as:
- Human Trafficking always involves violent and the use of force
- Trafficked persons can only be foreign nationals
- Human Trafficking is only sex trafficking
- Traffickers are undocumented immigrants
And…
While we are learning more about human trafficking, its risk factors, vulnerabilities of victims, and similar factors concerning the crime, it is also important to know who human traffickers are.
According to a report published in October 2022 by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Statistics, we have now more information about human traffickers. In this report, the main characteristics of human trafficking defendants in cases charged in U.S. district court, fiscal year 2020 are:
- 91.9% male
- 62.6% white
- 36.2% between 35-49 years-old
- 94.6% U.S. citizen
- 66.3% with Prior conviction
If everyone knows what human trafficking is, together we can end human trafficking in our communities.
If this was not your image about characteristics of a human trafficker, then take a look at this short report published by DOJ and learn more about the reality of human trafficking, its victims, and traffickers in our communities. Remember, knowledge is empowerment…