EVERY 30 SECONDS someone falls victim to Human Trafficking.
The Fight Against Human Trafficking Starts with Us
Human trafficking is a global crisis, but it’s also a battle happening in our neighborhoods.
At Kabod International, we believe families are the first line of defense, and together, we can rescue, restore, and protect the most vulnerable.
RISK FACTORS
1. Poverty and Economic Vulnerability
Why it matters:
Lack of access to basic needs, employment, and education pushes individuals into risky situations—often accepting false job offers or loans that lead to debt bondage or exploitation.ILO & UNODC both identify poverty as one of the primary root causes of trafficking.
Victims are often lured with promises of work, education, or better living conditions.
“Poverty creates desperation, and traffickers exploit that desperation.” — UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons (2024)
2. Broken or Abusive Family Environments
Why it matters:
Children and youth from abusive, neglectful, or unstable homes are more likely to run away or be coerced by traffickers posing as friends, romantic interests, or caregivers.
U.S. Department of Justice and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) report that a large number of trafficked youth have histories in foster care, juvenile justice systems, or abusive households.
Fatherlessness and abandonment are strongly correlated with increased vulnerability.
“Youth in foster care are disproportionately at risk of being trafficked.” — U.S. Department of State, TIP Report (2024)
3. Online Access and Social Media Exploitation
Why it matters:
Traffickers increasingly use digital platforms to recruit, groom, and exploit victims—especially minors.
The FBI reports that an estimated 500,000 online predators are active daily.
Victims are often deceived through social media, gaming platforms, and chat apps.
“Technology has become the new hunting ground for traffickers.” — U.S. State Department, TIP Report (2024)
TRAFFICKING TACTICS
Traffickers employ a range of tactics to exploit victims:
Grooming: Building trust with victims, often by posing as peers or offering gifts.
Deception: Making false promises of employment, education, or a better life.
Control: Using psychological manipulation, threats, and isolation to maintain dominance over victims.
Weaponization of Technology, Poverty, and Brokenness
Traffickers exploit vulnerabilities exacerbated by technology and socio-economic factors:
Technology: Utilizing social media and online platforms to identify, contact, and groom potential victims.
Poverty: Targeting individuals in impoverished communities with promises of financial stability.
Brokenness: Exploiting emotional and psychological vulnerabilities stemming from abuse, neglect, or trauma.
