This week on WCCO Radio we’re exploring the insidious crime of human trafficking by talking to people on the frontlines combatting it. Like a long list of things, the pandemic has had a negative effect on sex trafficking both in how young people are targeted and the support they can get.
Federal agencies and nonprofits have reported an increase in sex trafficking during the pandemic. Advocates say predators prey on vulnerable people in times of upheaval.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported in October that online child sexual exploitation doubled from 2019. Polaris, an anti-trafficking nonprofit, reported a 40% increase in calls to its national hotline from 60 per month to 90. The federal Office for Victims of Crime says traffickers are “exploiting a chaotic environment,” falsely promising things like housing relief in exchange for services.
Thousands of people have lost their source of income and are in desperate situations; children have been away from their supports with remote learning since teachers and counselors account for a significant portion of trafficking reporting -- all things that the UN Office on Drugs and Crime says heightens the risk for exploitation.
Terry Forliti, executive director of Breaking Free in St. Paul which supports victims of sex trafficking with emergency shelter, food, educational support groups and connection to services, said she’s seen the impact locally.
“Those people who are involved in sexual exploitation, prostitution, trafficking, whatever you want to call it, are real desperate,” she said.
Forliti said at Breaking Free they’re seeing more children and young people targeted over social media like Snapchat and TikTok, as well as dating apps. However, Forliti said a grave concern is not just strangers on the internet but people close to children.
“We’ve seen a little bit of an increase in familial trafficking,” she said. “When people are born into the life, if you will, or your mother was in the life, or your father was a pimp or your cousins or brothers or sisters -- we’re seeing a little more of an increase in that realm.”
Keeping shelter and hotel space safe during the pandemic has been a challenge since Breaking Free’s been at or near capacity since September 2019, Forliti said. They’ve had to invest in PPE in addition to maintaining services including two apartment buildings for dozens of families.
“They’re very expensive to run, just from a staffing perspective,” Forliti said. “But they’re needed. We need these shelters to be able to be that gap from getting someone off the street and escaping their exploitation to getting to a more permanent housing stability and/or transitional housing. One of the number one barriers of getting out of the life is not having a safe place to go.”
What’s also had a significant effect on organizations like Breaking Free is grant funding and donations from the private sector drying up due to financial fallout from the pandemic. The Department of Justice provided a $20,000 grant for hotel rooms for survivors, but Forliti has to hope donors will feel confident financially as more people get vaccinated and consumer spending returns.
“I still have the same budget and I still have to come up with the same amount of money. It just isn’t there so I’m going to have to work harder,” Forliti said. “It’s only February so I’ve got 10 more months to come up with this funding to operate, but it’s tough. It’s real tough.”
Forliti said the healing process after sexual exploitation takes a long time, not only finding stability in housing and income, but mentally. She said people who want to help can donate money or things like menstrual products and cleaning and hygiene supplies, or volunteer. Forliti also recommends having honest conversations with children about sex and their bodies, consent and healthy sexuality. But overall, she hopes removing the stigma of being a survivor can benefit them.
“Don’t assume that you know what someone’s going through because you haven’t walked in their shoes,” she said. “Be extra kind and support organizations that are supporting those being abused.”