Human Trafficking: Myth or Reality?
The most pervasive myth about human trafficking is that it often involves kidnapping or physically forcing someone into a situation.
⇒ Reality: Most traffickers use psychological means such as tricking, defrauding, manipulating, or threatening victims into providing commercial sex or exploitative labor.
“Traffickers target victims they don’t know.”
⇒ Reality: Many survivors have been trafficked by romantic partners, including spouses, and by family members, including parents.
“Only women and girls can be victims and survivors of sex trafficking.”
⇒ Reality: Men and boys are also victimized by sex traffickers. LGBTQ boys and young men are seen as particularly vulnerable to trafficking.
"People being trafficked are physically unable to leave their situations/locked in/held against their will."
⇒ Reality: That is sometimes the case. More often, however, people in trafficking situations 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.
"All commercial sex is human trafficking."
⇒ Reality: All commercial sex involving a minor is legally considered human trafficking. Commercial sex involving an adult is human trafficking if the person providing commercial sex is doing so against his or her will as a result of force, fraud or coercion.
Meet Aylin*
She came to Germany from Bulgaria many years ago because of a promise that she could work in a hotel. She left her children with relatives and accompanied by the man she saw as her savior, traveled to Berlin. Upon arrival, her ID was taken, the violence began, and she was forced into prostitution. This is just one way perpetrators lure women away from their families and into prostitution in Berlin, where this is a legal, commercialized profession.
Promises given. Promises broken. Betrayal. Descent into desperation. Identity perverted.
Through long‑term counseling at p.ink door berlin** Aylin developed goals, learned how to write a CV, and applied for social benefits and employment opportunities. She faced her trauma head on through p.ink door’s counseling services. She was able to leave prostitution, find employment, and secure her own apartment after years of housing insecurity. Today, Aylin’s life is stable and she is flourishing. And the most remarkable part? She is discovering a new identity as one who is loved and created by God.
*Name changed to protect anonymity.
**p.ink door berlin is a not-for-profit organization founded 11 years ago by Chog Global Strategy personnel and Germans in Berlin. www.pinkdoorberlin.org
