Traffickers don’t rely solely on force. They exploit deep emotional and economic vulnerabilities—preying on people who feel invisible, unsupported, or desperate for safety, connection, or basic needs like food and shelter. These vulnerabilities create openings for traffickers to groom, manipulate, and control their victims.
Children and Teens
The average age of recruitment into sex trafficking is just 12–14 years old. Most do not realize what is happening to them until they are fully entrapped.
Young people are especially at risk due to their naivety, lack of experience, and susceptibility to grooming. Globally, children are disproportionately represented in trafficking statistics—sometimes accounting for almost all victims in specific regions. Platforms such as social media and chat apps serve as lures in nearly 40% of U.S. cases, and up to 88% of child sex trafficking reports involve online enticement.
Runaway or Homeless Youth
Youth experiencing homelessness or those in foster care or juvenile justice systems face elevated trafficking risk. Involvement with child protection or justice systems, combined with housing instability and trauma, further compound their vulnerability. Research indicates foster youth are especially susceptible due to multiple placements and disrupted support systems.
Without stable housing or adult support, they are more likely to be lured by traffickers offering false promises of shelter, protection, or love.
LGBTQ+ Individuals Rejected by Family
LGBTQ+ youth are significantly overrepresented among the homeless youth population (36–40%), with many fleeing family rejection. In the U.S., LGBTQ youth are several times more likely to engage in survival sex due to economic hardship, increasing risk of exploitation. As stigmatized and marginalized individuals with limited access to supportive services, traffickers frequently target them.
Traffickers often exploit their longing for belonging and identity by pretending to offer acceptance, only to use it as a means of control.
Survivors of Abuse, Addiction, or Mental Health Challenges
People who have lived through physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, or who struggle with substance dependency or mental health conditions, may be easier to manipulate and control. Traffickers often exploit these histories to gain emotional or financial leverage.
People in Poverty or Economic Instability
Those facing extreme poverty, unemployment, or housing instability are vulnerable targets. Traffickers lure individuals with promises of paid work, shelter, or stability—often in fraudulent or abusive situations.
Immigrants and Individuals with Limited English Proficiency
People without legal immigration status or limited English proficiency are targets due to fear of deportation, language isolation, or misinformation. Traffickers may use document withholding or threats to maintain control. Some are misled by fraudulent job offers or coerced through threats against family members.
Indigenous & Racially Marginalized Communities
Populations like American Indians, Alaska Natives, Pacific Islanders, and other historically marginalized groups face higher trafficking rates due to systemic poverty, discrimination, and access barriers.
Why This Matters
Trafficking isn’t just about isolated criminals — it’s fueled by systemic inequality and emotional desperation. Understanding these vulnerabilities helps us see trafficking as something that can happen to anyone, but especially to those who have been marginalized or harmed in other ways. By increasing awareness, we can better protect those at risk and provide earlier support to prevent exploitation before it begins.