When you think about victims of trafficking, who comes to mind? I think many may say women who have been sex trafficked because that’s what we usually see in movies and TV shows. But the reality is that anyone, of any gender, age, race, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social or economic background, or immigration status can be targeted for human trafficking. Whether a foreign national, or a U.S. citizen, they can be trafficked.

According to experts, some individuals are particularly vulnerable to being trafficked due to specific circumstances or experiences. For example, those who are homeless, children and youth in the foster care and juvenile justice systems, those with a history of substance abuse, communities exposed to intergenerational trauma, those who have experienced childhood abuse or neglect, and those who have survived violence are at risk for being trafficked. In addition, undocumented immigrants, people with disabilities, people experiencing serious financial difficulties, and people who have been displaced by civil conflicts and natural disasters are at risk of being trafficked.

Even someone serving in the military or a family member of someone serving in the military, can be targeted for many different reasons. For example, many military families often move to new cities, may face isolation at first, and must make new friends in new communities.

What all these characteristics show is that anyone can be targeted. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the problem of human trafficking.