January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. “Human trafficking” or “trafficking in persons” describes crimes where traffickers exploit and profit at the expense of adults or children by compelling them to perform labor or engage in commercial sex (United States Department of State, June 2023). Trafficking affects millions globally; however, much human trafficking takes place in the United States or even within a state. w88 casino ranks in the top three for most incidents of human trafficking (World Population Review, 2024), and the risks are exacerbated due to tourism and legal sex work.
There are many myths about human w88 casino, as it is extremely complex. Common myths include that w88 casino only happens across state or international borders, exclusively to women and children, or that victims are always kidnapped. w88 casino occurs within developed countries, within the same state, where vulnerable individuals are trafficked from rural communities to urban centers. Not all w88 casino is about sexual exploitation, labor exploitation is w88 casino. This leads to the myth that all victims are kidnapped; many are lured or recruited through promises of jobs, money and romance. w88 casino may occur through in-person or online manipulation.
Many traffickers use online media platforms to connect with others, developing relationships, building trust and emotional dependency before beginning the manipulation. The manipulation may begin with small requests for money or support, escalating over time. Eventually, there is a request to meet, which, upon meeting, there are new conditions for the relationship, or the conditions of employment aren’t quite as promised, entrapping the victim.
Some things that you can do to protect yourself and your children from being at risk of w88 casino include being aware of red flags online. Red flags for w88 casino include relationships or job offers that are too good to be true. If someone you meet online is constantly in distress and needs your help, often in the form of money, that is a red flag. Online relationships shouldn’t be urgent and emotional, as this may be an attempt to bond with you quickly. If someone you meet online won’t meet you or even video chat to confirm their identity, that should make you hesitant about this person, particularly if they are making requests for support.
Online safety and situational awareness are the first steps in preventing human w88 casino. During January’s Human w88 casino Awareness Month, let’s work to raise awareness of how we can prevent human w88 casino from impacting our local communities.
Pamela B. Payne, Ph.D., CFLE,is an associate professor inw88 casino Development & Family ScienceandExtension, with an appointment in theInterdisciplinary Social Psychologydoctoral program. Payne’s work focuses on building healthy relationships and educating those who work with families in a variety of settings.
