Part 3: Sex Trafficking

Recruiting Tactic	How Traffickers Employ the Method
False relationships (commonly called “boyfriending in”)	In this tactic, traffickers or their accomplices target individuals or groups (usually girls or young women) in high-traffic areas such as shopping malls. The traffickers pretend to take a romantic interest in the victim. Perpetrators may move quickly, inviting the girls back to a location to socialize and keep them in captivity. Traffickers may also be more methodical, manipulating the victim into first believing that she is in a legitimate relationship, then cutting her off from friends and loved ones, and then making demands when the victim is emotionally invested in the relationship and is unlikely to refuse.
Recruitment by other victims	Victims often form traumatic bonds (commonly referred to as “Stockholm Syndrome) with their traffickers, which can lead them to begin recruiting others. Victims may begin to befriend new victims and describe their exploitation as voluntary, even glamorous. They show off items which were bought for them by their traffickers and make the new victims believe that they will be well taken care of and earn a lot of money. That is one way that traffickers convince victims to lure new victims into the devastating trafficking scheme.
Fraudulent job ads	Some traffickers place fraudulent job ads or hand out flyers for open interviews in high-traffic areas. They may employ the use of social media to recruit “interviewees,” and often actually complete a formal interview to get a feel for the personality of the victim and target those who may be most vulnerable. There have been cases in which dancers have been brought to other countries on cultural performance visas who are ultimately exploited as exotic dancers upon arrival in the new country.
Marriage brokers and/or matchmakers abroad	Commonly referred to as mail-order brides, these victims are told that they are going to a different country to marry a resident of that country. However, the victim is generally trafficked for sex after arriving. The new “spouse” may also force the victim into domestic labor.

Recruiting Tactic

How Traffickers Employ the Method

False relationships (commonly called “boyfriending in”)

In this tactic, traffickers or their accomplices target individuals or groups (usually girls or young women) in high-traffic areas such as shopping malls. The traffickers pretend to take a romantic interest in the victim. Perpetrators may move quickly, inviting the girls back to a location to socialize and keep them in captivity. Traffickers may also be more methodical, manipulating the victim into first believing that she is in a legitimate relationship, then cutting her off from friends and loved ones, and then making demands when the victim is emotionally invested in the relationship and is unlikely to refuse.

Recruitment by other victims

Victims often form traumatic bonds (commonly referred to as “Stockholm Syndrome) with their traffickers, which can lead them to begin recruiting others. Victims may begin to befriend new victims and describe their exploitation as voluntary, even glamorous. They show off items which were bought for them by their traffickers and make the new victims believe that they will be well taken care of and earn a lot of money. That is one way that traffickers convince victims to lure new victims into the devastating trafficking scheme.

Fraudulent job ads

Some traffickers place fraudulent job ads or hand out flyers for open interviews in high-traffic areas. They may employ the use of social media to recruit “interviewees,” and often actually complete a formal interview to get a feel for the personality of the victim and target those who may be most vulnerable. There have been cases in which dancers have been brought to other countries on cultural performance visas who are ultimately exploited as exotic dancers upon arrival in the new country.

Marriage brokers and/or matchmakers abroad

Commonly referred to as mail-order brides, these victims are told that they are going to a different country to marry a resident of that country. However, the victim is generally trafficked for sex after arriving. The new “spouse” may also force the victim into domestic labor.

Sex trafficking is defined under the Florida State statute on human trafficking.

Recruiting Tactics for Sex Trafficking

Methods of Control for Sex Trafficking

Common Sex Trafficking Locations and Industries

Statistic: The National Human Trafficking Hotline reported in 2016 that the top industries for sex trafficking were hotel/motel based (10.5%), illicit massage/spa business (10%), online ad/venue (7.3%), residence-based communities (6.5%), and other venues (4.4%).

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Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

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