What is trafficking? Abigail cites this definition: Human Trafficking is a crime involving the exploitation of a person for labor, services, or commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. These factors are not required to consider a minor trafficked.

What are common threads in trafficking cases? Control, coercion and the victim’s vulnerabilities. It is almost never done by a stranger. Abigail says it’s almost always done by someone who knows the victim, such as a family member or intimate partner. Traffickers are known to groom their victims to gain their trust. With labor-motivated trafficking, the commercial gain might not be money, but life essentials such as food and shelter. Issues of poverty and familiarity can make recovery for victims much more complex. “But it’s important to know that it is never the victim’s fault, no matter what vulnerabilities they have.”

How common is trafficking? Worldwide, 27.6 million persons are estimated to live under control of a trafficker. In Washington state, there were 1,000 reported cases between 2016 and 2020, with numbers on the rise. Thousands of cases are never reported.

Abigail currently has three known clients who are trying to leave trafficking situations. Clients come to LCSNW via different sources and referrals:

• When individuals have a sexual assault exam.

• Other nonprofits.

• 24/7 Sexual Assault support line.

• Spokane County juvenile courts and detention.

Some signs of possible trafficking:

• Lack of control and access to personal belongings, such as cellphone, money they are earning or important identification documents.

• Victims are monitored by their abuser.

• An individual being secretive about who they are hanging out with or what they are doing.

• Possessing items outside their personal means – ipads, expensive purses, etc..

• Change in behavior.

• Sleep deprivation.

• Signs of physical abuse or mistreatment.

What can you do? Abigail says if you ever suspect a trafficking situation, do not intercede and risk your personal safety. Instead:

• Contact police.

• Reach out to the National Human Trafficking Hotline (see below).

• In the Spokane area, email the FBI Tipline.

How does LCSNW help? Abigail says victims find LCSNW services in a number of ways, often by referral or the LCSNW web page:

• Emergency rooms.

• Other nonprofits.

• LCSNW’s sexual assault support line.

• Juvenile courts and law enforcement.