Potential sex trafficking victims share common characteristics. Minors who are unemployed or have previously suffered sexual or mental abuse are at a higher risk of becoming trafficked (Macy & Johns, 2011). Recent data revealed that 70% of sex trafficking victims suffered previous sexual abuse (Parker & Skrmetti, 2013). Various factors have contributed to the causation of sex trafficking victims. Some factors include previous sexual abuse experience, poverty, physical abuse, gangs, poor education, lack of social skills, deviant behavior, mental illness, ineffectual court systems, and substance abuse. Above all, minors that runaway from home are most at risk. One report has indicated that almost 75% of runaway minors are sexually exploited and are controlled by a trafficker (Hardy et al., 2013; Rand, 2009; Twill et al., 2010). Also, sex trafficking victims exhibit characteristics such as, primarily, low self-esteem or self-image problems (Hardy).
At this time, the first characteristic I would look for is to find runaway children because runaway children are most at risk to become a victim. I would work with organizations such as the Homeless Youth Alliance, Safehaven, and the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center to help identify children who may not have a home. Unfortunately, every family is …show more content…
I would also look to international statistics to reveal where victims are coming from. Perhaps INTERPOL has records that may be used to identify victims that are being trafficked in. Also, international data can reveal the need of this program in other countries where trafficking is more acceptable. Looking at data from those countries will provide agencies here a framework to identify the full extent of the
At this time, the first characteristic I would look for is to find runaway children because runaway children are most at risk to become a victim. I would work with organizations such as the Homeless Youth Alliance, Safehaven, and the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center to help identify children who may not have a home. Unfortunately, every family is …show more content…
I would also look to international statistics to reveal where victims are coming from. Perhaps INTERPOL has records that may be used to identify victims that are being trafficked in. Also, international data can reveal the need of this program in other countries where trafficking is more acceptable. Looking at data from those countries will provide agencies here a framework to identify the full extent of the