education January Education Recap: Debunking the Myths of Human Trafficking by Nicole Filippo, CMP
Human trafficking is among the world’s fastest growing criminal enterprises in the world. The Department of Homeland Security reports traffickers often take advantage of the privacy and anonymity accessible through the hospitality industry. “If we were connected in person today, there would be a high probability that there was a Malinda Harrell CMP, CASE perpetrator or victim nearby,” said Malinda Harrell, CMP, CASE, director of sales at the Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau, during an MPI-CC virtual meeting on January 28. During Harrell’s presentation, “Debunking the MYTHS of Human Trafficking and what we can do to FIGHT it,” she explained the two types of perpetrators – exploiter and trafficker – and that a person can be both a trafficker and an exploiter. An exploiter buys sex from a trafficking victim, and a trafficker compels another individual to perform labor or a commercial sex act, often by means of force, fraud and/or coercion. Harrell, who serves on the MPI Anti-Human Trafficking Committee, also addressed common myths about human trafficking, including the following: MYTH: Only women and girls can be victims of sex trafficking.
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| Carolina Blitz | April - May 2021
REALITY: Men and boys are also victimized by sex traffickers. The International Labor Organization estimates that there are 40.3 million victims of human trafficking globally. In the U.S., the common age of entry into trafficking is 13 for girls and 11 for boys. Targeted victims include LGBTQ youth, sexually abused youth, runaways and homeless youth. MYTH: Traffickers target victims they don’t know through use of a violent crime, like kidnapping. REALITY: Traffickers use psychological means, such as tricking, defrauding, manipulating and threatening victims. Many survivors have been trafficked by romantic partners or family members. MYTH: Victims are locked up and held against their will. REALITY: While that is sometimes the case, people in trafficking situations often stay for reasons that are more complicated. Some lack the basic necessities to physically get out – such as transportation or a safe place to live. Some are afraid for their safety. Some have been so effectively manipulated that they do not identify at that point as being under the control of another person.
