“Human Trafficking is not black and white, it is not easy to comprehend, and there are many different approaches a trafficker will take when it comes to grooming a new victim.
Sex traffickers approach potential victims in various ways, including pretending to be a potential boyfriend or friend, posting newspaper or Internet ads for jobs and opportunities, or even threatening or kidnapping them. Often, false promises are made to the victims about money, new clothes, work or education opportunities, and financial aid for their families.
Luring:
When a trafficker begins to prey
on a new victim, there is a 5-stage approach they will take to "train" the
victim. The 5-stages of human trafficking are luring, grooming and gaming,
coercion and manipulation, exploitation, and lastly, recruitment.
Assessing the right person
Testing their vulnerabilities and boundaries
Determine whether that person is looking for what they are selling
Testing the waters to see if that person is open to dating
Collecting as much information as possible about them
Making them feel special
One of the most modern ways for a trafficker to begin luring a victim is through social media. Social media allows easy access for predators to connect with naive and needy victims. Traffickers search through apps like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Tik Tok, looking for vulnerable children and teens. They then will begin liking posts and possibly even start sending them private messages through these apps.
In the "honeymoon stage," or as most know it, the grooming and gaming stage, the trafficker will do anything to make the potential victim fall in love with him.
Often when an individual is emotionally attached to someone, they tend to care and do things for them that they wouldn't do for anyone else. The trafficker wants the potential victim to be emotionally attached to him to manipulate the victim.
Grooming & Gaming:
The victim feels as though they are in love
The victim has found their dream partner who will make their dreams
come true
The trafficker promises a future with a family, home, etc.
The trafficker makes them feel special, loved, and cared for
They may engage in physical intimacy
The trafficker continues collecting personal information about the
victim's dreams and aspirations, family, what they love and care
about the most
The trafficker may introduce the victim to illicit drugs under the guise
of loosening up, having fun
Once the victim has fallen in love, the trafficker will move onto the next stage.” Link: https://crimestoppersguelphwellington.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/HTinWC-5-Stages-of-Human-Trafficking.pdf.
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