Technologies’ Role In Human Trafficking And How To Prevent It
National Slavery And Human Trafficking Prevention Month
As the world embraces new technology, human traffickers are adapting with it, abusing tech to expand their criminal enterprise. With National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month this January, Pasco Sheriff’s Office is spreading awareness about how traffickers use technology to recruit, control and exploit victims.
Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud or coercion to exploit people for labor, services or commercial sex acts. This crime can occur in person or online.
Recruitment
During the COVID-19 pandemic, online activity grew for most people. Unfortunately, this did not slow traffickers down but instead expanded their reach, created anonymity and eliminated geographical boundaries.
Using different identities, traffickers can meet people through social media, dating apps and video games. In some instances, the suspects don’t even have to make the first move, as is the case for the fake job advertisement scheme. With this situation, victims will reach out about a job listing on an employment agency site, and unknowingly connect with someone looking to exploit people for labor.
So much of people’s lives are visible online; criminals use that information to profile their victims and get close to them. They look for vulnerabilities they believe they can manipulate, such as loneliness, low self-esteem or financial problems. The suspect will offer support, encouragement or even financial assistance to establish trust and dependency, which later leads to exploitation.
Control And Exploitation
Even without ever meeting their victim, traffickers find ways to maintain control. Mobile phone location-tracking applications and built-in Global Positioning Systems enable criminals to track their victims’ locations from anywhere, at any time. Criminals also use any compromising information they obtain, such as explicit photos or videos, to blackmail the victims. The threat of this information can coerce victims into performing services or prevent them from speaking up. In turn, traffickers will use the same technology to maximize their audience and profits. Online trafficking is not limited to sexual exploitation; traffickers can also force victims to commit crimes on their behalf, such as identity theft.
Prevention
Awareness of these human trafficking tactics is a good step to prevent yourself from becoming a victim. In addition to staying updated on this information, be selective with who you communicate with online. Refrain from sharing personal information with others, especially someone you’ve never met in person. Look for trafficking indicators, such as financial opportunities that seem too good to be true, flattery or requests to keep secrets for them.
PSO encourages parents and guardians to discuss with their children safe and appropriate online behavior, the importance of protecting privacy and the risks associated with misusing this technology. Please be diligent in monitoring which apps your children use and with whom they communicate.
Reporting
Rapid reporting of potential trafficking activity can help end human trafficking. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is toll-free, reachable at all times and available in over 200 languages. You can reach the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 1-888-373-7888, texting “BEFREE” (233733) or visiting www.HumanTraffickingHotline.org. All information provided is confidential, and reporters can remain anonymous.
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