Title: Sex Trafficking|Sexual Violence|Violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC
Headings: Sex Trafficking
Sex Trafficking
What are the risks and consequences?
How can we prevent sex trafficking?
See Sex Trafficking Resources on the Sexual Violence Resources page for information about victim resources and response, trainings, and prevention strategies.
Victim & Survivor Services

Content: Perpetrators of human trafficking often target people who are poor, vulnerable, living in an unsafe situation, or searching for a better life. Victims can come from all backgrounds and become trapped in different locations and situations. Many victims are women and girls, though men and boys are also impacted
Victims include all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, citizens, non-citizens, and income levels
Victims are trapped and controlled through assault, threats, false promises, perceived sense of protection, isolation, shaming, and debt
Victims do not have to be physically transported between locations to be victimized
The consequences of sex trafficking are similar to the consequences of sexual violence. Consequences can be immediate and long-term including physical and relationship problems, psychological concerns, and negative chronic health outcomes. Read more about common issues seen in victims of trafficking
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. How can we prevent sex trafficking? Sex trafficking is preventable. Efforts have focused on increasing community awareness of human trafficking and addressing exploitation after it occurs. To learn more about how to recognize the signs of human trafficking, visit the National Human Trafficking Hotline’s, Recognizing the Signs website
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. More research is needed to evaluate programs and policies that help reduce factors that put people at risk in order to help prevent trafficking before it occurs.