International Journal of Coercion, Abuse, and Manipulation (IJCAM) 

Vol. 3, (2022). Published February 04, 2023

DOI: 10.54208/1000/0003/007

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The Power of Career Counseling: Preventing Sex Trafficking

Krystal D. Humphreys, Wendy Helmcamp, and Janet Hicks

Abstract

Human trafficking is quickly becoming one of the world’s largest criminal industries. Many of its victims are children and adolescents. Traffickers often prey on the vulnerable, promising them a better life. Tactics, such as grooming, coerce victims into prostitution or other forms of human trafficking. This paper reports research on generational changes between Millennials and Generation Z that increase susceptibility to sex trafficking. Based on interviews conducted with school counselors, low personal achievement and poverty may increase a youth’s chance of being sex trafficked. Because of this, career counseling offers a realistic method for achieving self-sufficiency through future job opportunities. This article offers information on sex trafficking and details specific career counseling strategies to prevent youth susceptibility to sex trafficking.