What I’ve Learned (and What Surprised Me)

Since starting this project, I’ve learned so much—more than I expected, honestly. I went in thinking I already knew the basics of human trafficking, but I quickly realized there is so much complexity and nuance behind every story and statistic. One of the biggest things that stood out to me is that human trafficking isn’t just about kidnapping, which is what many people (myself included) assume at first. It’s often about coercion and manipulation—traffickers exploiting someone’s vulnerabilities like poverty, unstable housing, or even the simple need to feel loved or accepted.

I was also surprised to see how many different forms trafficking can take. I knew about sex trafficking, but I didn’t realize the extent of labor trafficking happening in industries like agriculture, domestic work, and restaurants. Even in places where everything looks “normal,” trafficking can be happening behind closed doors.

Another thing that really struck me is how much resilience and courage survivors have. Reading their stories, I was amazed at how many have turned their experiences into something empowering—advocating for others, working with organizations, and speaking out to help break the cycle. It’s inspiring and humbling.

This process has also made me think more critically about the systems that allow trafficking to exist and continue. It’s not just about the traffickers themselves—it’s also about societal issues like inequality, racism, immigration challenges, and gaps in our foster care and legal systems. All of these factors create situations where people become vulnerable to exploitation.

My biggest takeaway so far is that awareness really is the first step, but it can’t be the last. Learning is important, but action matters too—whether that’s supporting survivor-led organizations, spreading the word, or even just noticing signs of trafficking in your own community.