Community Activism Overview of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking

Who are the Victims of DMST? Youth of any ethnicity, race, or religion Youth of any socio-economic class Female, male, and transgender youth Youth of all ages, including teenagers Vulnerable youth; average age is 13

Who is especially vulnerable to DMST? Homeless youth, Runaway youth Sexually abused; isolated; lonely; chronic troublemakers, drug abusers Youth within the foster care system & child protective services

Also highly vulnerable Kids who don’t know or understand the signs and tactics of recruiters From ‘good’ homes and schools The ‘good’ kids in sports, honors and youth groups. Bored. Insecure. Lonely. Sad. Angry.

Who are the traffickers? Spotter – identifies a prospect Recruiter – gleans information Trafficker – pimp, sells the product

Why is trafficking on the rise?

Recruiting tactics Calculated targeting and recruitment Friendly conversation, buy gifts assess home/life situation Determine vulnerabilities and dreams (investment of time ensures a strong foundation of trust)

Pimp Control Introduction to The Game – “You’re already doing it…now you can get paid” Breakdown of self-esteem “This is who you are.” Continuing use of physical and psychological torture with affection = Trauma Bond (defense mechanism) Seasoning (rape, beatings, starvation, forced drug use, breakdown of resistance) New name, cut off from support system “I’m your family.” Often hides as domestic violence

Why is it hard to identify domestic minor sex trafficking victims? Most think they are ‘in love’ with their trafficker Pimp control – Abused physically and/or psychologically Trained to protect pimp using lies and false stories Taught to distrust service providers & law enforcement Doesn’t identify as a victim (minimizing their own abuse) Is moved frequently from place to place Disguise the real age and name of victim

Why does this problem exist? a. Children are being sold because there is a demand to purchase sex much of it ‘invisible’ online c.Laws must be enforced and convictions made in order to deter predator buyers d. Sexualized music, media and fashion glamorizes pimping and the look of girls on the street

Where are Victims Being Sold? No longer standing on street corners (although that still happens) Recruited out of prisons/jails, by other kids in juvenile detention, and sold by spotters from their own schools Now online at more than 100 sites (in Seattle WA) selling more than 1000 sex acts every night

Who are the Buyers?

How do we end it? a. Support your local law enforcement in enforcing the NEW LAWS passed since Most laws are to arrest pimps. b. Use Shared Hope’s tools to BRING JUSTICE and write to your lawmakers to encourage stricter penalties on BUYERS as a deterrent. c. We will END DEMAND only when there are strong deterrents for those who are buying children for sex acts. If there’s no market, there’s no need for a product.

Identify & Report Hyper-jealous, controlling or exhibits violence. Hiding a relationship w/ someone significantly older than the teen involved. Separating from usual network. Promising things that are too good to be true. Suggests they know how to help teen make a lot of money. Buys expensive gifts without evidence of a ‘real’ job. Get help if you recognize any of these characteristics:

Save This Number Now Do you suspect sex trafficking occurring in a residence or a business? National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 800-THE LOST ( ) Where there is immediate danger – call 911