Human Trafficking Prevention Month: Understanding Myths and Realities
Human Trafficking Prevention Month invites us to slow down and look more closely at what trafficking truly is, how it shows up in our communities, and why it so often goes unseen. In Oklahoma, especially in rural areas, human trafficking rarely matches the images many of us have been taught to expect. It is often quiet, relational, and rooted in vulnerability rather than force.
Myth #1: “Human trafficking doesn’t happen here.”
It’s understandable why this belief persists. Trafficking is often associated with big cities or distant places. But the reality is that trafficking happens in communities of every size, including rural Oklahoma. Last year was Community Crisis Center’s first full year serving human trafficking victims and we had over 35 sex and labor trafficking survivors receive our services.
Many survivors are exploited without ever leaving their hometown. Vulnerability, not location, is what traffickers rely on. Housing instability, financial stress, past trauma, isolation, or lack of transportation can all increase risk. In smaller communities, where privacy is limited and resources are fewer, these dynamics can make it even harder for someone to reach out for help.
Myth #2: “Trafficking is usually a stranger or kidnapping situation.”
For many survivors, trafficking is not about abduction. It is about relationships.
Traffickers are often people the victim already knows- partners, family members, friends, or acquaintances. Control may be established gradually through emotional manipulation, financial dependence, threats, or isolation. Because of this, victims may not immediately recognize what is happening to them as trafficking, and outsiders may not recognize it either.
Myth #3: “If someone wanted to leave, they could.”
This belief places responsibility on victims while overlooking the reality of coercion. Traffickers often control access to basic needs- housing, money, transportation, identification, or even children. Fear, trauma bonding, abuse, shame, and concern for personal safety or loved ones can all make leaving feel impossible.
For children and youth, it’s important to remember that any commercial sexual exploitation of a minor is trafficking.
Myth #4: “Human trafficking only means sex trafficking.”
Sex trafficking is one form of exploitation, but it is not the only one. Labor trafficking also occurs in Oklahoma and is frequently overlooked. This can involve individuals being forced to work long hours for little or no pay, being threatened if they try to leave, or being controlled through debt or housing arrangements.
These situations can occur in agriculture, construction, domestic work, hospitality, and other settings. This type of trafficking often remains hidden because victims don’t fit common stereotypes.
Myth #5: “You would easily recognize a trafficking victim.”
There is no single way a trafficking victim looks or behaves. Many survivors go to work or school, care for family members, live in local communities, and may even appear outwardly “okay.” Trauma responses and survival strategies often help people endure harmful situations while keeping them hidden from view.
Myth #6: Human trafficking is mainly about transportation and highways.
Highways are often mentioned in conversations about trafficking, which can unintentionally create the impression that trafficking is primarily about movement from place to place. While transportation can be one element in some cases, movement is not what defines human trafficking. Many people who are trafficked in Oklahoma are exploited without ever being transported long distances- or at all. Trafficking is defined by exploitation and control, not travel. Survivors may live with their trafficker, remain in the same town for years, or be exploited in familiar places such as homes, workplaces, or online spaces.
Focusing only on highways can cause us to overlook what is happening in front of us. Trafficking often occurs through manipulation, dependency, and coercion rather than physical movement. When awareness centers solely on transportation routes, the everyday realities of exploitation- especially in rural communities- can remain unseen. Understanding that trafficking does not require transportation helps communities shift their attention from where people are moved to how people are controlled. That shift is critical to identifying exploitation and responding with care.
Why Thoughtful Awareness Matters
Human trafficking thrives in silence and misunderstanding. When we rely on myths, we unintentionally create barriers for people who need support. When we replace myths with understanding, we create space for safety, dignity, and healing.
Human Trafficking Prevention Month is not about fear. It is about learning to see exploitation as it truly is and responding in ways that honor survivors’ experiences.
Our Commitment
As a rural, certified human trafficking service provider, Community Crisis Center believes that trafficking has no zip code and that survivors deserve trauma-informed, survivor-centered support close to home.
If you or someone you know may be experiencing trafficking or exploitation, confidential help is available at our 24/7 hotline at 1-800-400-0883. We provide emergency shelter, hospital response, advocacy, safety planning, court services, counseling, transportation, and other wraparound services for survivors.
This month, and every month, we remain committed to education, advocacy, and compassionate response. We believe understanding is often the first step toward safety.
