The Battle of Human Trafficking Myths

Submitted by Monica Schultz

Excerpt from ”In Our Backyard” by Nita Belles

The notion that human trafficking is about only impoverished, abused, at risk children simply is not true and is one of the myths that has hindered the level of awareness about human trafficking. This is the second-largest and fastest-growing crime in the world. Yet in our middle and high schools we have mandatory curriculum about drugs and bullying, but seldom hear any talk about human trafficking. Unless we can raise awareness to the point that we all—normal citizens, civic leaders, government officials, law enforcement, social services and others—known it can happen to anyone, we will not win this battle.