U.S.communities are now prioritizing exploitation prevention after recognizing that child and women exploitation, as well as human trafficking, are not just criminal problems. They are also culturally driven. It would have been easier relegate responses to law enforcement if they are only criminal in nature.
Psychological manipulation is the method normally used for control. Vulnerable children online and through schools, malls, family relations and community affiliations are in danger. Exploiters would check on the vulnerabilities of a target in order for them to offer favor that the subjects would need badly in their life. A person can only be exploited when the trust is already established.
The Empower Youth Program organized an open forum between the youth and adult in families and identified five possible "disguises" that an exploiter can turn itself into to be able to easily get the trust the prospective victim. First, a "pretender" is someone acting out the missing person in one's life like a special friend or a family member. Second is a "provider," offering to take care of every need.Third, a "promisor" for better opportunities. The fourth is the "protector" through intimidation and fifth, is the "punisher" who uses violence and threats to control, according to CNN.
The program did not only made these disguises known to the youth but it also guides them on how to build a rel relationship that nurtures their future. A musician testified that if only he met those youths before, there will be lesser victims because they are just looking for someone to look up to that gives them time.
Having the sympathy for the sufferings of others is only a good start. People can only help when they get the engagement needed for the vulnerable people to open up. It's feeling bad for another person's problem and actually doing something to help is the most crucial thing and the program does that.
Both male and females can be prone to exploitation and they can be the victimizer as well. When the community practices the art of empathy, apathy will fail. As soon as exploitation stops, justice will prevail. Looking back someday, the group will be thankful that they have solved the problem by dealing with its roots.
