NC Stop Human Trafficking melinda@ncstophumantrafficking.org via em.secureserver.net 

How domestic violence relates to human trafficking is oftentimes an actual cornerstone in the victimization process for many survivors. Many instances of human trafficking – labor and sex – began through a romantic relationship that became exploitative.

Human trafficking is violence against someone, and if it is a part of a romantic/intimate relationship, it is also domestic violence or intimate partner violence.

Let’s learn more about domestic violence and the connections it has with human trafficking.

What is domestic violence/intimate partner violence?

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, domestic violence is, “the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse.”

While domestic violence varies from situation to situation, the common thread is that the perpetrator is always working to maintain control over the survivor/victim.

Maintaining Power & Control

It is in the attempt to maintain power and control where domestic violence and human trafficking intersect in a relationship. It is the purpose that differentiates the two.

The similarities of how a trafficker is able to maintain control is the same, for the most part, in how a domestic abuser maintains control.

Domestic abusers and human traffickers use coercion and threats; intimidation; emotional abuse; isolation; denying, blaming and minimizing; economic abuse; and leveraging privilege to keep the power and the control in the relationship.

The difference lies in the purpose of why they are abusing the victim. In human trafficking, the purpose is for exploitation in prostitution or for labor purposes to gain a profit on the part of the trafficker.

In purely domestic violence instances, the abuse is designed to keep the victim under control in a relationship, whether that be to cater to the abuser’s insecurities or to compel the victim to do as the abuser wishes, at all times, without the endgame of being profit.

It bears repeating, however, that human trafficking is also domestic violence in many instances where the trafficker is also viewed as an intimate partner.
In the end, both domestic abusers and traffickers perpetrate the abuse by design and with strategic purpose.

Effects on Victims of Domestic Violence & Human Trafficking

Victims of human trafficking who are being trafficked through the avenue of the power and control dynamics of domestic violence experience many issues that prevent them from seeking help, further isolates them or keeps them trapped in the situation, unable to leave.

It is important to note that these effects are experienced by victims of domestic violence without the addition of exploitation.
(Adapted from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence)

National Domestic Violence Hotline

24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse.

Contacts to The Hotline can expect highly-trained, expert advocates to offer free, confidential, and compassionate support, crisis intervention information, education, and referral services in over 200 languages.

North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence

The North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV) leads the state’s movement to end domestic violence (DV) and to enhance work with survivors. They do this through collaborations, innovative trainings, prevention, technical assistance, state policy development, and legal advocacy

We are still doing the work of anti-human trafficking advocates. However, we are a small nonprofit and COVID-19 has hit us hard. We had to cancel our spring fundraiser, and we have had very limited sales of our fair trade products, which is a social enterprise that helps fund our nonprofit programs. If you can and are moved to, help us continue our work and make a donation. We need you now more than ever.