Learn the dangerous language of human traffickers, before your child does

Be informed. Learn the language.

That’s always good advice in any circumstance, but especially when trying to recognize or prevent human trafficking. Traffickers and pimps have their own language, perverting many normal words into special meanings.

The following is a list of such words assembled by Rebecca Bender, a former trafficking victim with a compelling story. Now Rebecca Bender is an instructor helping others to avoid the life she got tricked into. (For more information, see her site at http://RebeccaBender.org.)

Here’s a sampling:

Bottom: A person appointed by the pimp/trafficker to recruit potential victims, report violation of rules, and often to help punish.

Family or Folks: A group of victims under the control of a trafficker/pimp. The term is an attempt to recreate the family environment.

Knock: Convincing a girl to go home with a trafficker – before the “turning out” phase.

Seasoning: The process of breaking a victim’s spirit and gaining control over her, using rapes, beatings, manipulation and intimidation. There is actually a manual for pimps on how to season victims.

Turn Out: To be forced into prostitution; also a person newly involved.

See the complete list of traffickers lingo here. Or, check this list of dozen’s of ways a trafficker/pimp will trick their victims.

Traffickers are extremely coercive. Being aware of their tactics is one way we can prevent their future success.