Some examples of common human trafficking myths include the following falsities:
- Human trafficking victims self-identify as
victims and seek help regularly
- FALSE: Many victims do not realize they are victims, while many others are too ashamed, afraid, or distrusting of law enforcement to come forward.
- Sex work and sex trafficking are the same.
- FALSE: Sex trafficking involves force, fraud, or coercion, unless the victim is a minor.
- Trafficking requires victims to be transported
or moved across borders.
- FALSE: Victims do not have to be moved anywhere.
- Only women and girls can be victims of human
trafficking.
- FALSE: Victims can be of any gender identity or expression.
- Trafficking victims only come from impoverished
communities or have low levels of education.
- FALSE: Victims come from all communities and have varied levels of education.