Advocacy: An Essential Tool for Survivors

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Month. Human trafficking is a reality that plagues many communities, including rural areas. While it’s often portrayed as an urban issue, it’s crucial to recognize the unique vulnerabilities and challenges often faced by rural communities.

Let’s take a closer look at human trafficking in rural communities:

Vulnerability factors:

Isolation and limited resources: Rural communities can be geographically isolated, with limited access to essential services like law enforcement, healthcare, and social support networks. This isolation can make it harder for victims to seek help or escape their traffickers.
Poverty and economic hardship: Rural areas often have higher poverty rates than urban areas. This economic vulnerability can make individuals more susceptible to traffickers’ promises of false opportunities for work or a better life.
Lack of awareness and education: Rural communities may have less awareness about human trafficking, making it easier for traffickers to operate undetected.

Types of trafficking:

Labor trafficking: This form of trafficking involves exploiting people for forced labor, often in agriculture, domestic work, or construction. Rural areas, with their reliance on manual labor, can be particularly vulnerable to this type of trafficking.
Sex trafficking: This form of trafficking involves exploiting people for commercial sex acts. Traffickers may target vulnerable individuals in rural communities, luring them with promises of love, attention, or escape from their circumstances.

Challenges in addressing trafficking:

Limited law enforcement resources: Rural law enforcement agencies may have fewer resources and personnel dedicated to investigating and combating human trafficking.
Stigma and fear: Victims of trafficking may be afraid to come forward due to stigma or fear of retaliation from their traffickers.
Lack of support services: Rural communities may have limited access to specialized support services for trafficking survivors, such as shelters, counseling, and legal aid. Read more about Someplace Safe’s specialized services for trafficking survivors.

Despite these challenges, there are efforts to combat human trafficking in rural communities:

Raising awareness and education: Organizations and community groups are working to raise awareness about human trafficking in rural areas, educating residents about the risks and how to identify potential victims.
Building partnerships: Law enforcement agencies, social service providers, and community organizations are working together to develop coordinated responses to human trafficking.
Providing support services: Organizations are working to provide essential support services to trafficking survivors in rural communities, such as shelters, counseling, and legal aid.

Here are some resources that can help:

Someplace Safe: 800-974-3359 Youth Trafficking Program: 218-770-4256
The National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888
The Polaris Project: https://polarisproject.org/our-work/
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: https://missingkids.org/

It’s important to remember that human trafficking is a complex issue with no easy solutions. However, by raising awareness, educating ourselves and our communities, and supporting organizations working to combat this crime, we can help make rural communities safer for everyone.