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Alana Wheeler
Dear AFETT,
Lately, I have been extremely vigilant, as I have this deep-rooted fear concerning the increased number of human-trafficking incidences.
I have also grown uncomfortable and sceptical with my social media platforms, as I have read horror stories about these channels being used to recruit victims.
How can I know the warning signs, protect myself and raise the alarm if necessary?
Dear Michelle,
Your concerns are very valid and relevant to what is happening in today’s world of technology and digital platforms.
I am so happy you raised this concern at this time, as every year on July 30, countries around the world and UN member states recognise UN World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
This month is also the start of holidays for schoolchildren and university students. This is a season when many families travel and when many young people are at home enjoying their "downtime" from schoolwork and studies.
The use of social media and online platforms has become an increasingly effective online tool used by predators and abusers to target and groom innocent, lonely, vulnerable and naive people. The latest global reports speak about the increasing use of technology and digital platforms to recruit youth and adults and lure them into being exploited sexually and otherwise.
The general rule of thumb is that if an offer is too good to be true, then raise an alarm.
Also, if your gut feeling and your instincts tell you something isn’t right, go with it and raise an alarm.
Many survivor stories attest to their ignoring their gut feelings and going along with the situation. In hindsight, they regret making such choices.
Online targeting and grooming
I would also advise you to communicate online only with people you know well and have met in person. Often, online predators pretend to be close to your age group, of the same gender, and to like the same things you like, because they have read your online profile, or they have read profiles of your close friends.
[caption id="attachment_1098250" align="alignnone" width="683"] Alana Wheeler -[/caption]
Online predators are not often who they claim to be on their social media profiles. They create fake profiles to lure their targets. They first target you online by finding something or someone you both have in common, then they befriend you, gain your trust, test you to see if you will keep secrets from your family and then lure you to places where they can abuse and exploit you.
The trust and emotional connection they develop with you is such that you would feel ashamed or fearful to raise an alarm.
They give you the impression that they are the only ones who really care about you and may even offer a romantic relationship to seduce you into engaging in illicit activities and hiding it from your family.
So, as our parents often tell us, do not talk to strangers online.
Sextortion
I would also advise you to avoid posting or sharing online personal information, places you frequent, your home address, compromising pictures, feelings or your live location.
This also applies to chat groups such as WhatsApp groups, unless you know all the members in the group.
Remember that chat group messages and pictures can be easily saved, forwarded and shared. Once you post something online, it cannot really be deleted.
[caption id="attachment_1098251" align="alignnone" width="1024"] AFETT logo -[/caption]
If you communicate with your significant other online, please avoid sharing intimate pictures or videos of yourself, even in a private video call or privately.
Hackers and predators can intercept these communications and use them against you. Your private pictures and videos can also be used to blackmail you into creating or sharing more sexual images and videos of yourself. This is referred to as sextortion.
Before you post or share anything, privately or publicly, ask yourself: "Would it be ok if my friends, family or colleagues saw this?"
Online job offers
If you are offered a job overseas, do your due diligence and background checks on the recruitment agency and the company.
Also check with the country’s embassy, the police and your country's embassy in the country of proposed employment and make enquiries about the company.
Do not attend job interviews alone if going to strange locations or overseas. Always have an accountability network of trusted people who know your whereabouts at all times.
You can even be recruited to engage in online scams and fraudulent activities. So, at all costs, avoid being blackmailed or coerced into engaging in illicit activities.
Your deep-rooted fear in respect of human trafficking and your scepticism regarding social media are sound.
Now that you are aware of the warning signs, do not hesitate to protect yourself and raise the alarm if and when necessary.
If ever you find yourself in these situations, please reach out to a trusted adult friend or relative and let them know of your predicament. If the situation requires law-enforcement intervention, then go to a trusted law enforcement officer. If you don’t know of any, there are several trusted non-profit groups such as AFETT which can guide you in the right direction.
By all means, if you find yourself in a situation or in a relationship that you think may be exploitative, reach out for help and do not suffer in silence.
Alana Wheeler is the former director of the Counter Trafficking Unit, Ministry of National Security.
She is a member and consultant of the the Association of Female Executives of TT (AFETT).
AFETT is a non-profit organisation formed in 2002 with the goal of bringing together professional women and engaging in networking opportunities, training and business development.
Ask AFETT is brought to you by the Research and Public Advocacy team and addresses issues and concerns of executive and entrepreneurial professionals.
 
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