Welcoming the Stranger: Supporting Trafficking Survivors & Other Vulnerable Youth
Did you know that JFS has a program to support survivors of trafficking and other vulnerable youth? This work is part of our Refugee & Immigrant Services program. For 134 years, JFS has stood as a beacon of hope for refugees and immigrants seeking to establish new homes in safety and dignity, and we remain committed to this work with the support of our community.
What Is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is a crime that involves the exploitation of a person for labor or sex through force, fraud, or coercion. A person who experiences trafficking does not need to be transported from one location to another to fall within this definition. According to the Polaris Project, human trafficking is a “multi-billion-dollar criminal industry that denies freedom to 24.9 million people around the world.”
A commercial sex act is considered trafficking regardless of the presence of force, fraud, or coercion if the victim is a minor; if a minor was asked or made to have sex for something of value (even if the sex act and exchange never occurred), the minor is a victim of trafficking regardless of any harm, threats, or tricks.
Labor trafficking is much more common than sex trafficking. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, common types of labor trafficking include “people forced to work in homes as domestic servants, farmworkers coerced through violence as they harvest crops, or factory workers held in inhumane conditions with little to no pay.” Labor trafficking (and sex trafficking) happens in many industries, including construction, agriculture, childcare, and increasingly in online scam operations. Read about common labor trafficking red flags.
Because of our multiple ports, international border with Canada, vast rural areas, and dependence on agricultural workers, Washington is a hotbed for human trafficking.
Why Don’t Survivors Leave?
People often wonder why young survivors stay or even return to exploitative situations. The reality is that many young people lack the basic resources, safety, and information needed to escape. Below are a few of the reasons survivors don’t leave:
- Isolation and Fear: They often do not know who to trust or fear severe immigration consequences.
- Communication Barriers: Many lack English language skills and have had limited access to education.
- Coercion: They are trapped in fear, as traffickers threaten them and the people they love.
- Basic Survival: They don’t have hope of being able to escape to safety and, if they do, see no way to secure food and shelter on their own.
- Lack of Knowledge: They don’t understand that what they are experiencing is trafficking and that it’s illegal.
How JFS Helps Survivors of Trafficking
Jewish Family Service’s Survivors of Trafficking program steps into this gap. We support these vulnerable youth and young immigrants who have been repeatedly exploited. Our skilled case managers provide trauma-informed, strengths-based support to help clients navigate their complex needs. We guide youth on their journey toward stability and self-sufficiency. Beyond meeting basic needs for food and shelter, we provide a safe, confidential space where caring adults respect their dignity so youth can begin to rebuild their lives. Case managers also conduct outreach and education to community service providers.
Luis, (name changed for confidentiality), an 18-year-old from Central America, initially faced many barriers to success after arriving in the United States. He was identified as a survivor of trafficking and enrolled in the JFS program. Luis requested assistance with goal setting, career planning, safety planning, transportation, and housing support to transition to an independent living situation. A JFS case manager worked closely with Luis to connect rental assistance resources and provide transportation to necessary medical appointments. In addition, the case manager and Luis worked closely together to identify and work towards both long-term and short-term education and career goals. Through his own hard work and the support of his case manager, Luis successfully graduated from high school and was accepted into the college of his choice. He is now a full-time Nursing School student, with plans to become a pediatric nurse.
If you or someone you know is being exploited, we can help.
You can help young survivors by supporting JFS.