Lulled into Believing “It Will Never Happen to Me!”: Debunking the Myths Around the Subject of Domestic Sex Trafficking

Wed, September 18 | 11:15 AM EDT–12:15 PM EDT

Topic: Conceptual | Knowledge Level: Beginner

Lynda Harlos

The presenter will use both personal experience and professional expertise to shed light on a subject that demands our attention. It’s precisely because of her journey that she will stir up a whirlwind of emotions, showing why it’s crucial to lean into those feelings. That is where change begins and where the harsh realities of why this happens to regular, everyday people become apparent. As a mother of a trafficking survivor, Lynda realized she missed three crucial elements and will share them in this presentation, not to dwell on past mistakes but to illuminate the blind spots we all might have and to learn from them to prevent similar tragedies. The primary part of her presentation will be unveiling domestic sex trafficking and abuse. Fueled by cinematic portrayals like ‘Taken’ or ‘Sound of Freedom,’ international sex trafficking captures headlines, while domestic sex trafficking often hides in plain sight. Once oblivious to the possibility of such horrors befalling her children, Lynda aims to debunk common misconceptions surrounding domestic sex trafficking, shedding light on how seemingly normal relationships can cancel trafficking dynamics. During the presentation, attendees will gain insight into: 1) the true identities of traffickers compared to the cinematic stereotypes, 2) the demographics targeted by the trafficker and their underlying motivations, 3) vulnerabilities exploited by traffickers and who manipulate them to control the victim, 4) subtle indicators of trafficking, empowering attendees to recognize potential trafficking situations effectively, and 5) how individuals who have endured trafficking often perceive themselves as having consented to their exploitation. Lynda will outline the four essential criteria to address this misconception of consent, giving relatable examples.

Trigger Warning: This presentation contains information (written, spoken, or visual) that may be triggering or (re)traumatizing to attendees.

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Presentation Objectives

• Explain how our belief in what we thought sex trafficking looked like was the cause of the presenter’s daughter being a victim
• Discuss what the presenter learned about who the traffickers are
• Explain the differences between international and domestic sex trafficking
• Describe how the presenter has moved on by turning her pain into purpose by educating others on prevention