Who are victims of sex trafficking?

Victims of trafficking can be anyone, regardless of sex, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, socioeconomic status, citizenship status, education level, or gender identity. 

Who are traffickers?

Traffickers, like victims, can be anyone such as business owners, labor brokers, pimps, gang members, or diplomats.  They can be family members, acquaintances, partners and strangers, citizens or foreigners.  They can be part of a larger criminal organization or act alone. 

How are they targeted?

Victims are often targeted when vulnerabilities such as poverty, language proficiency, or disability are made worse by limited educational or economic opportunities, or a lack of stability in their housing and home life.  Victims are then lured by offers of jobs, stable homes or promises of love. Traffickers can use social media platforms to find and groom victims.  Victims are also sought in childcare, elder care, restaurants, hotels, the drug trade, salons, massage parlors, factories and farms.  Victims can be exploited for commercial sex in massage parlors, exotic dance clubs, on the street, brothels, or through online escort services. 

Is there sex trafficking in New Jersey?

Trafficking happens across the United States.  It is a rapidly growing crime and does occur in New Jersey.  The dense population and easy access to the Interstate 95 corridor creates ideal conditions for trafficking in our state.  In 2020, 146 cases of trafficking in New Jersey were reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Not all trafficking is reported, and these cases do not include those identified by hospitals, social services, law enforcement or any other organization providing services to victims.  Human Trafficking Resources | New Jersey State Police