Gender Perception and Key Actors in Human Trafficking
We hope you had the chance to read our special monthly #LIFTfacts. Our team has gathered the facts that we discovered during our 11 years of working at LIFT. These statistics and data are incredibly useful resources for identifying sexual trafficking trends in our area of work and raising awareness of the risks of sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Gender perception is one aspect that we explored in our first #LIFTfact showing an increase in underage male survivors to 58 percent from 2019 to now. We discovered this in a changing landscape of human trafficking from brothels and bars into an online landscape. Then in #LIFTfacts 2 we discussed the offender's gender, finding the difference in percentage between male and female was only 4%! .
So this blog does not want to paint a picture of gender stereotypes for offenders or survivors who play in a key role in the human trafficking cycle.
Perception of Offenders’ Gender
Before the pandemic, LIFT's anti-trafficking work was based on traditional human trafficking. LIFT would assist law enforcement units in apprehending offenders who worked as bar owners, pimps, agents, etc. Before 2018, we saw that nearly 70% of offenders were female. This trend continued until brothels and bars were closed down due to COVID-19. LIFT had to modify its strategies to align with the shift to online trafficking. We have begun to use online investigation technology to identify survivors and offenders. As a result, we’ve found a greater number of male offenders than before.
“ Through online investigation, we discovered a higher number of male offenders. Twitter is comparable to an online dating platform for men. Offenders openly create a new account, present a profile with an appealing name to target, join a group for dating one-night stands, or pay money to watch secret clips. The absence of female targets does not imply that there is no abuse among girls. It may just not be reported."
- a LIFT male investigator
Some studies have discussed the background and the different roles of traffickers between male and female offenders. One finding is that many female offenders were sexually abused in the past by male offenders who were their lovers. As a result, the women were forced to change from a victim into a trafficking partner, deceiving other girls into becoming the next victim of sexual trafficking. (referenced study: Female Offenders of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation )
Perception of Survivors’ Gender
The phrase "the weaker falls victim to the stronger" perfectly illustrates the victim/survivor outlook in traditional sexual trafficking. Physical factors are a significant component of sexual exploitation. The second factor of vulnerability is a social factor, such as poverty or a lack of educational opportunities. The social factor can force many girls and even boys into becoming victims of sex trafficking. Sadly, a social myth claims that a male victim's traumatization is less than that of a female victim of sexual abuse. This myth affects a lot of male victims who did not receive the proper assistance in the process of healing from their traumas.
LIFT discovered many male victims while doing an identification process. Unfortunately, some male victims have chosen to reject prosecution assistance because they or their families were influenced by the myth that sexual exploitation does not damage men. They have chosen to ignore the bad experiences. In reality, men who have been sexually abused are more likely than others to develop serious mental health problems, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, alcoholism, suicidal thoughts, problems in intimate relationships, and underachievement at school or work. (referenced study: 1in6 organisation)
The term "gender" cannot determine who is the offender or victim in the current situation of sexual exploitation and trafficking, just because they are physically stronger or weaker. Now, we realize that offenders perform a variety of roles, and their motivation is not only financial benefit but also personal fulfilment. For this reason, the strategies to end trafficking should not be based on the old perception. The LIFT International team remains dedicated to assisting law enforcement in identifying offenders and combating the true enemy: an insatiable desire for human beings that has ultimately led to the increasing demand for human trafficking.
“Demand is the bridge between the victim and the trafficker – without the demand, there would not be the supply,” said Silke Albert, the Head of UNODC’s Global Programme against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants. (referenced :Trafficking for Sex: Experts Examine the Demand for Sexual Exploitation)