Ways youth are recruited into prostitution

THE APPROACH:

The recruiter asks for directions, stick of gum, the time. May "accidently" bump into a young person, then give an apology.

May give them a compliment, then make note of how they respond. Are they open to conversation with a stranger?

May make an accusation of some kind: Are you always this unfriendly? Are you racist? Are you always so quiet?

THE SELL:

The recruiter listens to the point of view of the young person, takes them seriously, appreciates their feelings.

May appear to be rich by having a nice car, nice clothes, connections.

May seem fascinating: different culture, accent, race, or style.

May appear to be wise, friendly, funny, jovial, attractive, good-hearted.

Likes to give compliments: good at dancing, good looking, great body, nice eyes, great hair.

May present themselves as vulnerable: homeless, needy, needs caring.

May have women befriend and be generous to the young person.

May make promises of a glorious future: marriage, home, money, car, luxury.

May have young men come into the picture as possible boyfriends. They may take a girl out to eat or spend money on them.

THE TRAP:

The recruiter promises a job somewhere, but in going to that place, starts to use manipulation or force with the young person.

May make promises of love, but with underlying, perhaps unspoken, threats to make a person pliable to the recruiter's wishes.

May cause a crisis: "My wallet was stolen. We have no money to finish the trip, pay the rent, make the car payment, etc. Where can we get the money?"

May support the goals of the young person-to go on a trip, pay for college. Offers "sure" advice for how to reach these goals.

May promise that the young person won't have to do anything they don't want to, and lie about what the activity really involves.

May isolate the young person from loved ones, get the person tired, have them commit crimes, confuse them with mixed messages.

THE CONTROL:

The recruiter will out-talk, out-think, and out manuever the young person.

Will gradually gain more control over what the person is thinking, where they are spending their time, who they are listening to, what they are doing.

Will use intimidation, force, beatings, humiliation, blackmail, drugs, or threat of murder to control behavior.

Will get them into using drugs and support them in developing an addiction, making the young person dependent upon a drug dealer as well.

Will falsify papers like ID's, credit cards, resumes, present occupations.

Created by Adults Saving Kids   Minneapolis, MN    (612) 872-0684