An Unlikely Trio

At first glance, domestic violence and trafficking seem to stand at a distance from one another. But when we dig deeper into the logistics of traffickers and violent intimate partners, we see an unmistakable connection. The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) highlights this intersection — “There is a marked overlap in the pattern of behaviors that both abusers and traffickers use to exert power and control over a victim.” Trafficking and intimate partner/domestic violence are often interconnected. This is clearly seen in the similarities among perpetrators, their tactics, and the trauma endured by victims. One of the most common forms of trafficking occurs within an intimate partner or marital relationship. Therefore, many victims of trafficking within this context, who are also abused in other ways by their partner, may not identify as a trafficking victim. Many victims who are trafficked in an intimate partnership relationship do not realize the exploitative component of their abuse as a distinct form of victimization. Whether a perpetrator is abusing a partner physically, emotionally, or sexually, they are abusing with similar tactics and from the same motivation – the need for control and power (NNEDV). Those who abuse partners or exchange their partner’s sex acts for profit are engaging in similar tactics for compliancy that include threats, mental and physical abuse, starvation, isolation, and rape/sexual assault. A further but accurate stretch of connection, is the interplay between domestic violence, trafficking, and pornography – making this an unlikely trio. How is the use of pornography related to abuse in relationships and trafficking? Of the many effects of porn use, porn is a major contributor to violence in relationships. The National Center on Sexual Exploitation make the intersection between pornography and perpetration with the ultimate conclusion that because porn normalizes violence and sexual degradation, those who view porn are more likely abuse an intimate partner (NCOSE). Individuals in abusive relationships can also be threatened with sextortion or revenge porn. Revenge porn occurs when images or videos of sexual encounters are recorded and the victim is threatened with the release of those images/videos (NCOSE). Perpetrators can use these tactics to keep partners silent and submissive in an abusive situation (NCOSE). When dissecting the crossover between three experiences, domestic violence, human trafficking, and porn use, we can also see similar effects to victims. All victims exposed to these types of abuse are affected in some form and experience long term impact on mind, body, and spirit. There is no room for domestic violence, sex trafficking, and porn use in a healthy, thriving community. You can stop the cycle of violence and help victims who are experiencing abuse and exploitation. If you know a child who is being exposed to domestic violence, call Law Enforcement or DSS. If you are experiencing domestic violence, reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 If you know someone who is experiencing domestic violence, reach out to them and offer to help make a path out of the situation. If you suspect a person is being trafficked or sexually exploited, offer help or give a tip at the National Human Trafficking Hotline : 888-373-7888