How does a pandemic impact human trafficking?

The Coronavirus pandemic has incited fear and uncertainty in cities across the world. Many are scared of contracting the virus themselves or fearful of unknowingly spreading it to a loved one. Others are caught in uncertain financial situations as they face lay-offs and furloughs amid business closures. While this widespread fear and frustration is completely valid, it is also important to remember and offer assistance to those groups who are most vulnerable right now.

COVID-19 has shut down businesses, restaurants, sporting events, and even entire cities, but it has quickly become clear that even a global pandemic cannot stop human trafficking. In fact, it has only increased instances of trafficking.

When businesses close due to the pandemic, they're helping to stop the spread of COVID-19, but they're also likely laying-off or suspending employment for many of their workers. We're experiencing a nationwide shortage of job opportunities, and many are desperate for a paycheck as well as the healthcare their previous job provided. Traffickers prey on desperation and are likely to use widespread job shortages as an opportunity to post and share job offers that are a cover for human trafficking.

Unemployment will also negatively impact survivors of human trafficking who have escaped exploitation only to face losing their jobs in a time of major uncertainty. In order to feed and support their families, those who are experiencing lay-offs as a result of the pandemic may return to forced prostitution or domestic work out of desperation.

Traffickers prey not only on desperation but also on the vulnerable, and as schools and daycare programs face lengthy closures, children are more vulnerable than ever. When children are left unattended at parks, libraries, and other public spaces, they are at much greater risk of being trafficked. And sadly, cyber sex trafficking of children has risen as more people find themselves in isolation and quarantine. "They're seeing an uptick in cyber trafficking of children because more and more people who perpetuate that industry are home and on their computers during this," said Blythe Hill, CEO of Dressember, an organization dedicated to combating human trafficking.

While the recent increase in human trafficking is disheartening, there is hope. If you want to help those who are most vulnerable to trafficking as well as those currently trapped in trafficking situations, consider making a donation to Dressember. All donations received between now and April 30th will go directly to survivors and victims affected by COVID-19.

You can also help by spreading awareness of how human trafficking instances have increased due to the Coronavirus. Human trafficking is covert and often hard to detect if you're unfamiliar with the most common signs. That means a lot of people are unaware of how prevalent human trafficking is period, much less when we're in the midst of a global pandemic. Sharing information about the increase in human trafficking and encouraging others to share their creativity, kindness, and generosity during this time is a great way to spread awareness and help those who are most vulnerable.

We are facing a great challenge, and it's hard to know who needs the most help at the moment. But if you're following your heart and being generous with your gifts (whatever they may be), you should feel confident that you are doing your best to help those who need it right now.