It takes skill to deceive another person. Don’t stand on the sidelines – learn to recognize the signs and respond to suspected activity.

In our proud community of patriots, people of all ages are being exploited and sex trafficked for someone else’s gain. Sporting events, concerts and entertainment centers draw massive crowds of people looking for a good time.

To a human trafficker, people are profit. Victims are products to be exploited. They set up operations for a night, a few days, weeks or a season… in plain sight of shopkeepers, residents and the local community.

Here, we are dedicating our efforts to shine a spotlight on the rampant sex trafficking of minors and adults in Massachusetts and to debunk myths about human trafficking.

In Massachusetts, human trafficking is defined as the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision or obtaining of a person for services or labor through force, fraud or coercion.

The act of human trafficking suggests that a person or operation trades another person’s time and body for the lionshare of the benefit under pretenses or false promises. It may begin innocently enough, such as leading them to believe they’re in a relationship or promising a better life. Or the trafficker may use force from the start.

Regardless, the use of psychological and physical intimidation and threats to maintain power and control over another person are highly effective. Because manipulation is not transparent, survivors describe feeling hopelessly trapped by invisible shackles, leading them to stay in an environment in which they are being trafficked.

In Massachusetts, the two most prevalent forms of exploitation involve compelling another person to engage in sex acts or labor, oftentimes in exchange for money, housing, gifts or other needs, and under distressing and demanding schedules and environments:

Sex Trafficking: Forcing an individual to engage in commercial sex acts or pornography.

Forced Labor: Forcing a person to work or provide labor against their will.