More STOP-IT human trafficking examples
The Metropolitan Division's Family and Community Services Department has been helping people trapped in a lifestyle of trafficking since 2006 through the STOP-IT Initiative Against Human Trafficking. Case workers provide victims with a safe exit strategy and connect them with needed services like medical attention and a place to stay. Read on to learn how circumstances can lend themselves to entrapment in this lifestyle more easily than you might think.
Irene
Age: 12
After her mother abandoned her family for a life of drugs, and her father was incarcerated, Irene was placed in the custody of the state. She was 12 years old and did not know how to process all the changes happening in her life. She was eventually classified as a "chronic runaway" after leaving every foster or residential home she was placed in.
A girl on the run at such a young age, she was quickly picked up by men who would promise to protect and love her. Irene said, "I had to do what I had to do to survive."
To survive she tattooed the names of her many "boyfriends" on her neck and arms and became whomever they wanted her to be by wearing wigs.
Lydia
Age: 17
Before her 17th birthday Lydia had experienced a loving, single-parent family home, and yet she had secrets of abuse and negative experiences which she never shared with family. As the secrets ate away at her, she grew further away from her mother and befriended some people who did not have her best interests in mind.
One of the friendships turned out to be with a man named Marcus. As they became romantically involved, Marcus filled her mind with many dreams saying he wanted to be with her forever.
Persuaded by young love, he took advantage of her by saying she needed to do a few things to help them live their dream life together. These few things involved Lydia engaging in acts of prostitution by posting her availability on an internet site.
Visit www.sa-stopit.org for more information.