LGBTQ+ youth are at higher risk for human trafficking — and this population of trafficking victims is less likely to find help. This is linked to their experiences of family rejection, discrimination, stigma and prejudice coupled with fewer opportunities to access social support and fewer resources dedicated to addressing the queer community’s specific needs.
“Every situation is unique to that individual person,” said Marcia Holt, founder and CEO of Because Organization — a Pennsylvania nonprofit dedicated to aiding survivors of human trafficking. “Situations aren’t as it looks in the movies.”
She underlined that trafficking often begins as a friendship or relationship with someone who claims to want to help someone experiencing marginalization — often offering emotional support or resources — like housing or an under-the-table job. Even if a victim observes some red flags, those in need of shelter and other resources might feel that they have no other options but to deal with risky situations. Traffickers often befriend their victims and act as caretakers, mentors, or romantic partners then escalate their level of control over their victims as domestic violence continues to progress into trafficking behaviors.
“They are often under some sort of influence or are in fear,” Holt said — noting that traffickers may, for instance, threaten to expose a victim’s queer identity to family or make someone feel as though they couldn’t survive without staying.
LGBTQ+ youth are 13 times more likely to experience homelessness. These individuals are at the highest risk for general trafficking and are more likely to be sex trafficked than their cis-het counterparts. ReportOUT data shows that 61% of LGB homeless youth have experienced human trafficking in their lifetime — with 44% of those experiences occurring during homelessness. One in five homeless youth were found to be engaged in survival sex work to pay debts or bills.
Those with multiple layers of marginalization or intersectional identities are at an especially increased risk. For instance, ReportOUT notes that 71% of trans youth have experienced trafficking during their lifetimes — with young trans women most at risk. Another study analyzing experiences in the Atlanta metro area found that LGBTQI+ African American, Black and multiracial young people made up 88% of homeless LGBTQI+ youth respondents.
Sex trafficking has also been linked to the spread of HIV/AIDS — and LGBTQ+ trafficking victims are at higher risk for exposure.
Holt and her team at the Because Organization focus largely on supporting people throughout the Northeast corridor. She noted that the major city hubs of the region—New York, Philadelphia and DC — serve as major transit ways for trafficking, resulting in a large population of both victims and survivors in this area.
“A lot tend to be trafficked outside of these cities — in these suburban areas that are kind of more hidden,” she underlined, noting that many people who need help are visible in their communities even though their needs and experiences are not.
Holt became interested in understanding what happens after survivors escape these situations while studying about these issues in grad school.
“A lot of the answers I found were really disheartening,” she said. “We need more robust support so that we have more happy ending stories.”
Recent research by ReportOUT for the United Nations highlights that anti-trafficking activism, law enforcement, and victim response through services often approaches the issue from a cis-het perspective, placing more value on helping victims whose identities and experiences align with stereotypical fears about sex crimes. This makes it more difficult for LGBTQ+ victims to find or maintain survivorship support. Those survivors are also at increased risk for suicide when compared to cis-het victims.
“They need a place that is safe and accepting of them,” Holt said — underlining that many can’t find support through religiously affiliated programs or struggle to find shelter at gender-segregated facilities.
In North America, LGBTQ+ youth are overrepresented in prison facilities for sex work related offenses — meaning they’re more likely to be punished than to receive care.
Because Organization supports survivors by aiding them as they navigate the legal system, begin to access important documents and request government identification, sign up for public benefits, seek basic needs and housing, apply to jobs, find clothing for job interviews, and access other resources. The nonprofit has helped 23 individuals since becoming fully operational in 2022.
The organization also engages in education and awareness efforts and has engaged businesses in an allyship program that helps to identify trafficking and post information about accessible support.
Although Because Organization receives some grant funding to provide services, grants aren’t often able to be used to pay for property — but purchasing property is Holt’s next goal.
An upcoming fundraiser, called Autumn’s Challenge for Change, will help the nonprofit raise money for a down payment on a home in the Philadelphia suburbs, which Holt plans to use as a safe house for people of all genders and a resource hub for survivors. The organization needs to earn $80,000 total but this fundraiser has a goal of $20,000.
The online fundraiser will run Oct. 20-27. Participants will offer a donation then log into the Eventzee app to take part in social media, trivia and puzzle-solving challenges.
“People in the community who are supporting this cause — who do want to make an impact, no matter how big or small — can feel camaraderie that way,” Holt said.
She also underlined that there are other ways to get involved. Monetary and physical donations — especially hygiene items and business casual clothing — are always welcome in addition to general volunteer support.
Holt said misinformation often gets in the way of people accessing what they need to move on with their lives after they escape trafficking. Victim-blaming and stigma often result from assumptions that victims had a propensity for risk-taking behaviors which led to their situation. Even survivors are sometimes treated as though they’re a risk to their communities.
“In fact, it could happen to anyone,” Holt said, urging people to recognize how vulnerable survivors are.
Autumn’s Challenge for Change is taking place Oct. 20-27. For more information or to register, visit becauseorganization.org/autumnschallengeforchange.