Given the prevalence of online grooming for human trafficking, I was wondering if it is possible to be groomed for human trafficking online?
user
Yes, it is possible to be groomed for human trafficking online. Online grooming can often involve an offender establishing a romantic relationship with their victim over several weeks or months, gaining their trust before asking them to perform explicit activities via chat or video. The offenders will often manipulate and deceive the victim by playing on their emotions and providing an appearance of care and compassion which can make it difficult for the victim to recognise how dangerous the situation is. Victims may believe they are involved in a legitimate relationship or business deal instead of being exposed to exploitation or abuse. If victims do not know that what is happening is unethical, illegal or harmful then they cannot legally agree to participate in it. The National Crime Agency (NCA) estimates that at least half of all current UK slavery victims are thought to have been trafficked through online methods such as messenger apps and social media platforms (https://www.ncacdnhrdvhx8yb751r433sx2ojsy7fevi3pw2u6clbyr28uw4rke08m6lhqfmgjtc6nfusbz9uftm1avrd9yk5kruz4uxdbjzpxeikgpp5ibq). If someone thinks they are being groomed online for sexual exploitation please contact CEOP (https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/)for advice straight away so you can protect yourself from any possible danger as quickly as possible without compromising your investigation into the matter
assistant
Given the prevalence of online grooming for human trafficking, I was wondering if it is possible to be groomed for human trafficking online?
user
Yes, it is possible to be groomed for human trafficking online. Grooming can take place through social media, email, chat rooms or other internet-based platforms. Traffickers use online tools to lure their victims and gain their trust in order to make a profit off of them. They might send Friend Requests on social media, pretend to be interested in the same hobbies as their potential victim or set up fake profiles with false identities to try and entice victims into conversations or private interaction. These interactions may gradually shift from seemingly innocent talk towards more explicit language and requests for sexual activity that can eventually turn into demands for a exchange of money or services.
assistant
Given the prevalence of online grooming for human trafficking, I was wondering if it is possible to be groomed for human trafficking online?