Stages of Sex Trafficking

Knowing the stages of sex trafficking in Canada can help you to become more informed on the topic, and to recognize the signs of trafficking, particularly with youth and those from marginalized populations. Many incorrect beliefs still exist around how sex trafficking typically happens in Canada- it does not typically involve kidnapping random targets and keeping individuals locked in cages and shipping containers.

As we can see from the stages of sex trafficking outlined here, this is a highly calculated process. Victims are not usually chosen at random, but chosen because they are lacking things in their life that the trafficker is ready to provide for them. Although the traffickers may form different relationships with their victims (i.e., romantic partner, friend, drug dealer, protector, etc.), this pattern of stages is still typically seen, just with different actions. 

Generally the 5 stages of sex trafficking are; luring, grooming and gaming, coercion and manipulation, exploitation, and recruitment. As noted here, recruitment is the fifth stage but it does not always occur. Traffickers may or may not use the victims they are currently exploiting to recruit others. It is not a defining characteristic of trafficking, but it often happens in situations where the victim knows many other people who are also from marginalized groups/lacking needs in their lives (i.e., friends from school, group home or shelter neighbours, etc.). 

Knowing the 5 stages of sex trafficking is important for dispelling harmful myths about what sex trafficking typically looks like in Canada. The process of coercing someone into sex trafficking does not usually happen overnight- many traffickers spend time to lure and groom their victims, providing them with a false sense of hope, security, safety, and love, before manipulating the relationship and making people feel like they have no other options. 

Have open and honest conversations about the 5 stages of sex trafficking with youth in your life, as they are some of the most at risk for being targeted. Often we focus on the exploitation stage and forget about the importance of discussing what the warning signs are of the previous stages. Catching red flags early on in this process increases our chances of stopping sexual exploitation before it happens.