Foster Care and Human Trafficking
One of the toughest jobs I’ve ever had was being a first responder for human trafficking. I worked along side law enforcement with the Exploited and Missing Child Unit as a Child Welfare Social Worker.
This responsibility was an addition to a 30+ caseload and entailed being on-call for a full week, day and night on a 3–5 week basis. The rotation deferred greatly due to social work burn-out.
I’d get the call, “yeah, you’re needed down here.”
I’d gather a few details like name and age, and whether they are in the foster care system and send an email off to my supervisor.
I’d make the 15–20 min drive downtown, day or night — sometimes longer if a train came through. The flickering red light grew me anxious wondering and worrying about what young child or teen we would be talking with and crossing fingers law enforcement caught the perps. Sometimes I’d get to watch those interviews, yes it was pure happiness to see justice being held.
I’ve seen and heard a lot.
A child as young as 9. Many teens were runaways from the foster care system. Youth who have been kicked out of their biological homes. Young girls believing they’re dating their controllers. Teenagers running away from group homes. The majority being female. The majority being from the foster care system.
They became involved with dangerous individuals whose primary mission is to cause harm, manipulate and make money off of their bodies.
They make victims/survivors believe they are loved. Care about them. Want what’s best for them.
And that’s the hook.
Love.
Connection.
Belonging.
What everyone on this earth craves and needs to feel alive and wanted. Their controllers provide other things too, like food and shelter. Basic human needs for survival.
It is in this vulnerable state, when they can be coerced and exploited to engage in forced sexual acts.
Often times, while interviewing these survivors, their “boyfriend” is their pimp/controller/trafficker (the person who controls and takes their financial gain, in the most simplest terms).
The manipulation tactics are easier because of the childhood trauma they have most likely endured before entering care or the unwanted feelings that can come from living in the foster care system.
The controllers learn about their childhood trauma or family/foster care drama and use it all — to their advantage.
More times than not, the survivors earned money went straight to their boyfriends. $100 bucks for blowjobs, $200 for sex. The list went on and the rates varied based on the trafficker and sexual act.
Occasionally the survivors would get a new dress or get their hair or nails done. And this is the prime example of “showing love” but it’s more about the girls looking good to play the part.
For some survivors it’s a cycle of run and return.
Sometimes it’s a teenagers brain on the concept of love but a lot of times it’s a psychological response of feeling bonded with their abusers, called the Stockholm Syndrome phenomenon or trauma bonding.
People of every race, gender, ethnicity and class, from any country, can be trafficked.
Don’t be fooled to think that runaways from the foster care system are just hiding away at some friends house. Some could have easily already been picked up because they were told lines, “Baby, I’ll take care of you.” “I’ll get you everything you need.” “You want your hair and nails done?” “I have a spare room.” “I’ll be your daddy.” “I’ll never leave you like your parents did.” “You are beautiful.”
In the eyes of abused and neglected children, these lines mean the world.
When youth run away from harm often they are running straight into more harm. Help by staying alert and report.
A few additional remarks:
Love your people.
Check-in here and there on your teenagers interactions on social media.
Make it known they are worthy of achieving their goals and dreams.
Remind your children it’s not okay to keep secrets regarding their body when it’s uninvited or forced. “Please know that if someone is touching you or you feel forced to do something you don’t want to do, you are safe to share with me.” They need to hear this! The shame itself can be a reason one may not disclose. They need to feel safe. Comfort.
If it feels wrong, it is most likely, wrong.
Encourage youth to join a team or organization, something of their interest.
Monitor and check in often with youth who isolate.
Take finding an AWOL youth top priority. National statistics show within 48 hours they can be lured Into trafficking.
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911.
Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free hotline at 1–888–373–7888: Anti-Trafficking Hotline Advocates are available 24/7 to take reports of potential human trafficking.
Text the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 233733. Message and data rates may apply.
Chat the National Human Trafficking Hotline via www.humantraffickinghotline.org/chat
Submit a tip online through the anonymous online reporting form here.
Also, we are in dire need for good loving positive foster homes. To learn about becoming a foster parent read here.
Thank you for reading,
-Kellie Becker, MSW, Trauma Survivor and Advocate
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Let’s connect:
#humantrafficking #sextrafficking #humantraffickingawareness #fostercare #childhoodtrauma
Kellie Becker
Hey, hello, hi! I love writing about trauma, foster care, travel, and life. It’s taken some time, but I now know my voice matters and so does yours. Stay brave.