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Sex Trafficking

It is all too easy to believe that human trafficking doesn't happen in South Dakota, but in the last two years alone, 14 men have been arrested and federally indicted for commercial sex trafficking in South Dakota. Sex trafficking occurs when someone uses force, fraud, or coercion to cause a commercial sex act, including prostitution, pornography, or sexual performance done in exchange for any item of value, such as money, drugs, shelter, food, or clothing. Traffickers target people, usually young people and women, who are vulnerable,  isolated, trusting, and desperate. They may pose as someone the victim can trust. Traffickers control victims by:

  • Force: rape, beatings, confinement
  • Fraud: false offers of caring, marriage, employment, a better life
  • Coercion: threats to harm the victims or their family and friends, debt-bondage, psychological abuse

Recognize the Signs. Knowing the red flags and indicators of human trafficking is a key step in identifying more victims and helping them find the assistance they need.
 

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