Which factor increases an individual’s vulnerability to being targeted by human traffickers?

An individual’s status as a runaway significantly increases their vulnerability to being targeted by human traffickers. Runaways often find themselves in precarious situations due to the lack of support systems, resources, and stability. They may be fleeing abusive environments, neglect, or overwhelming hardship. The desperate circumstances they face can make them more susceptible to manipulation and coercion, making them prime targets for traffickers who exploit their vulnerabilities. Traffickers frequently take advantage of the isolation, fear, and lack of alternative options that runaways experience, leading them into dangerous situations in an effort to survive.

While poverty, depression, and homelessness also contribute to vulnerability, the characteristics of being a runaway—such as lack of a supportive network and immediate needs for safety, shelter, and belonging—often put them at a heightened risk of being approached and exploited by traffickers.