2012 Trafficking In Persons Final Report.pdf - NCJTC Home

FINAL REPORT
Finding: Trafficking victims are a subset of missing children that are at high-risk for victimization and
exploitation. The focus group developed a graphic to depict the relationship between missing and trafficked
children. The graph indicates that there is overlap between
missing and abducted children. Participants noted
that the Internet is often a factor in the child choosing to
leave home and becoming a victim, as they are often seduced/recruited
by traffickers online. A dysfunctional home
life can make children vulnerable to running away and being
lured into trafficking as well. Family problems can also
cause a missing child to stay in the trafficking business since
they see no other option.
Goal 2: Promote a deeper understanding of child trafficking, trafficking victimology and offender
characteristics.
Objective 1: Describe victims of child trafficking
Finding: The data suggest that most victims come from dysfunctional families and lack positive support
systems and role models. Children, who are malnourished, abused, marginalized, or addicted to drugs
and/or alcohol are all good targets for trafficking. Low self-esteem is also a common characteristic among
many victims. Problems at school (repeated visits to school nurse, truancy patterns, etc.) can signal that a
student is being trafficked as can their physical appearance including hair, clothes, shoes, fingernails, and
tattoos.
Objective 2: Describe offender/victim dynamics
Finding: A common method for describing an offender in relation to the victim is “known” and “unknown.”
“Known” offenders are personally identified by the victim before they are trafficked and can
include friends or family. “Unknown” offenders develop a relationship with the victim after the crime has
happened. Participants also noted that because trafficking happens across cultures, developing culturally
sensitive laws and practices to deal with it is very important. The best traffickers are very psychologically
adept. These offenders are able to identify, target, and exploit specific needs of the victim to gain acceptance
and compliance. The data also emphasized the role of co-traffickers in the process. There are typically
multiple offenders involved each of whom serves a different role/purpose (recruiter, trafficker, and
leader for example). Survivors also noted that traffickers, handlers and controllers use many methods to
control their victims: physical and verbal abuse, a complex system of rewards, addicting victims to drugs,
and psychological control. Beyond the traffickers efforts, victims do not see that there are better options or
are not viewed as victims by those in positions to assist them. Understanding the offender/victim dynamic,
according to survivors, also includes investigation of how others unknowingly support this relationship.
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