My husband and I run a charity that fights human trafficking. A few years ago, we made a documentary on the issue, traveling to 10 countries to answer one big question: “What is the best way to prevent sex trafficking?”
On that journey, we met survivors, interviewed aftercare workers and talked with some of the world’s leading experts on trafficking and prostitution. When we came home, we took the film on a 96-city tour around North America. We met incredible people fighting trafficking, but we also encountered thousands who knew very little about this massive, modern form of slavery.
Here’s what we learned: Ignorance is real. Most of our audiences were about 70% women, which was troubling because the driving force behind prostitution is male demand—and yet, men seemed absent from the conversation. And while many churches were eager to engage with the issue, some flat-out ignored it. One even told us, “We are not and will never be interested in this issue. Thank you.” (Yes, really.)
The truth is, when we don’t perceive a problem as local, it’s easy to ignore. And sometimes, we choose ignorance intentionally—because complex dark stories make us uncomfortable. Human trafficking is one of the darkest. It’s a horrific mix of kidnapping, rape, confinement, torture and coercion. We’ve met survivors who were victimized as young as 12, forced to service men in parking garages, living every moment under the watchful eye of a pimp. For many, even after escape, the psychological chains remain. One survivor told us she was finally learning she could go to the bathroom without asking for permission. Let that sink in.
To fight exploitation, we need to understand it. Here are three common misconceptions about human trafficking that hold us back:
1. It’s a Choice
Thanks to Hollywood—looking at you, Pretty Woman—there’s this fantasy of prostitution as a choice. Spoiler alert: It’s not. Even conservative estimates say over half of those in prostitution entered under 18. Many were coerced, manipulated or outright forced.
We love our tidy categories: forced versus not forced. But the reality is messier. Imagine this: A young woman is trafficked across multiple countries. She escapes her traffickers but ends up renting her own window in Amsterdam’s red-light district. At 21, she’s keeping most of the money but the trauma of her past still defines her life. Is she free? Not exactly.
When we walked through Amsterdam’s red-light district, the women in the windows projected confidence and seduction. But behind the scenes, they were vulnerable and worn down. The sex industry thrives on illusion—what you see is never what you get.
2. It’s Not Happening Here
The “not in my backyard” mindset is dangerous. Human trafficking isn’t just an overseas issue. It’s happening in small towns, suburbs and even neighborhoods like yours. We’ve heard countless stories of exploitation in places you’d never expect—condos, suburban homes and even strip clubs beside churches. One of Canada’s biggest trafficking busts happened on the very street where my husband and I lived after getting married. Let that sink in.
At screenings of our documentary, girls from small towns would approach us, sharing their experiences of exploitation. This isn’t a big-city problem; it’s everywhere.
3. Legalizing Prostitution Makes It Safe
This one comes up a lot, but let’s set the record straight: Legalizing prostitution doesn’t magically make it safe. Instead, it opens the door for organized crime to exploit the industry’s profits. Legalization increases demand for paid sex and when there’s not enough “willing supply,” traffickers fill the gap.
We’ve seen how this plays out. In Switzerland, we met a Brazilian woman working in a legal brothel. She wept as she described the damage caused by violent clients. Even in legal settings, women—especially racial minorities—are at heightened risk of abuse, violence and even death.
So, What Can We Do?
Understanding the truth is the first step to action. There are tons of resources out there—books, articles and documentaries—that can equip you to join the fight. It’s time to confront this issue head-on, not because it’s easy, but because the people trapped in the nightmare of trafficking deserve nothing less.
