Familial Trafficking — Freedom 4/24

Contributing author: Kaitlyn Savage, Freedom 4/24 intern

WHAT IS IT?

Familial trafficking in the United States usually can be identified when a child is intentionally sexually exploited by family members looking for a payoff in the form of money, drugs, or something else of value. As reported by the Counter Trafficking Data Collaborative, familial trafficking makes up 36% of human trafficking cases. By a recent study, 64% of the traffickers were mothers, who were assisted by a non-relative trafficker, and in 82% of these cases, drugs were the currency used to profit from the exchange. Also recognized by the CTDC, it was reported that almost half of identified cases of child trafficking begin with some family member involvement.

WHO IS IT?

Victims of familial trafficking many times do not identify as a victim, due to the normalization factor. It is not uncommon for children to normalize any type of abuse they are experiencing. Many times youth that are being trafficked within the family, go to school and participate in activities without someone recognizing what is going on in that youth’s life.

WHO IS THE BUYER?

These children are being exploited commonly to satisfy a parent's drug addiction, but who is the buyer? It is reported that 60% of perpetrators of child sexual abuse are known to the victim but aren’t family, 30% are family members, and 10% are strangers. About 77% are adults, and 96% are male. The average “John,” or buyer, is a 40-year-old, married father of two who makes an average annual income of $75,000–80,000.

Perhaps now, the greatest influence for familial trafficking is the ever increasing opioid epidemic. Individuals within the healthcare, mental health, and substance abuse system should be mindful of the exploitation vulnerability that exists within families struggling with addiction. I pray that these children find safety, and a different idea of normal.

PREVENTION TIPS:

Due to the fact that many familial trafficking situations are tied to substance abuse and addiction, mental health professionals and substance abuse counselors should be attentive to the vulnerability of the addicts family and children in regards to exploitation. Because the family is the exploiter in this type of trafficking it takes the community as a whole to have the attentiveness to prevent and protect children vulnerable to familial trafficking

Teachers, social workers, physicians, other family members and friends can be attentive to concerns of potential familial trafficking situations. Communicating to a child that you are there for them in any thing they are going through, talking about inappropriate touch, and being mindful of controlling behavior within the family can create communities in which we are more alert to potential cases of familial trafficking.