Many believe human trafficking involves kidnapping or physical confinement, but that's rarely the case.
More often, it begins through relationships, promises, or opportunities — sometimes involving someone a person knows, trusts, or depends on. Traffickers may initially appear supportive or generous, offering help, stability, or the chance to improve one’s situation.
Over time, these dynamics can shift. People may be made to feel they owe something, that they have no other options, or that leaving would put them — or others — at risk.
The reality is that human trafficking relies on grooming, manipulation, threats, and coercion. These tactics are rarely as visible as chains or locked doors, which can make trafficking difficult to recognize.
Understanding how these situations unfold — and how to spot the signs — is essential.
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Sex trafficking doesn’t always look like what people expect.
It often begins with grooming, manipulation, and control — sometimes involving someone the person knows or trusts. These dynamics can make trafficking difficult to recognize, even when it’s happening in plain sight.
Labour trafficking is often hidden behind “legitimate” work.
It can involve false promises, withheld documents, debt, or threats tied to employment or immigration status. These situations may appear normal from the outside, making exploitation harder to identify.
