Human trafficking is modern-day slavery and involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act.
Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked in countries around the world, including the United States. It is estimated that human trafficking generates many billions of dollars of profit per year, second only to drug trafficking as the most profitable form of transnational crime.
Human trafficking is a hidden crime as victims rarely come forward to seek help because of language barriers, fear of the traffickers, and/or fear of law enforcement.
Traffickers use force, fraud, or coercion to lure their victims and force them into labor or commercial sexual exploitation. They look for people who are susceptible for a variety of reasons, including psychological or emotional vulnerability, economic hardship, lack of a social safety net, natural disasters, or political instability. The trauma caused by the traffickers can be so great that many may not identify themselves as victims or ask for help, even in highly public settings.
Victims of human trafficking can be any age, gender, race, or immigration status; they live in cities, suburbs, and rural areas. Human traffickers relentlessly canvass ways to take advantage of people who find themselves in circumstances of extreme adversity or violence, experience discrimination, economic vulnerability, or dependence. Communities that experience some of these hardships may be particularly vulnerable to human trafficking.
Media: Video
Interview with Gems Uncovered survivor who talks about the “hell and jungle she lived through and the fear that consumed her daily life” until she found a way out.
She attributes Gems Uncovered as her pathway “to the light out of the jungle and to the hope she desperately needed.”
Listen to this brave woman share her heartfelt story.
Media: Podcast
“Journeying Out of Sexual Exploitation,” by Mamas in Spirit Podcast is hosted by the amazing Lindy Wynne. This informative interview is with La’Chiera Royston, a Gems Uncovered survivor. Listen to Royston bravely share her story and personal testimony about her life before, during and after her sexual exploitation traumas crediting Gems Uncovered for partnering with her on her journey to a new life.
Today La’Chiera serves as an advisor to our board to better help us empower more women, men, and youth with her personal testimony and experience.
Podcast: Mamas In Spirit
Episode: Journeying Out of Sexual Exploitation