Cultural Resilience: Addressing Human Trafficking during Hispanic Heritage Month

Written by Nevaeh Lopez, Adult Case Manager, New Friends New Life

Growing up in the North Dallas area and attending private school throughout my developmental years, I often felt like an outsider looking into a world where my traditions and identity felt out of place and unfamiliar. For many years, my Hispanic identity was overshadowed by the need to fit in with those around me.

I saw my heritage as an obstacle, rather than a treasure; I often felt the need to blend into the world around me, and not embrace what made me unique. I remember feeling embarrassed about family traditions and customs, especially when they felt different from my peers. I did not have a huge quinceañera due to financial limitations and the desire to fit in with my friends, who had celebrations of “Sweet 16” instead.

It was not until I was older and in college that I truly understood the significance of my culture on how it enriches my life and connects me to my roots. The ability to communicate in Spanish was able to provide job opportunities and offer support to those around me.  I was able to connect with people on a more meaningful level upon realizing we had the same experiences and backgrounds. We all shared a strong sense of resilience and adaptability to overcome whatever obstacles we might face.

One of the most profound impacts of being Hispanic is having the support and guidance of my Hispanic family, friends, and community that surrounds me. It saddens me to know that not all women and girls have had the same level of support that I have been fortunate enough to receive. Without a strong support network and sense of community, these women and girls find themselves in vulnerable situations that may lead to exploitative environments.

In 2021, there were 10,359 situations of human trafficking reported (Polaris, 2018). Of these 10,000 situations, 72% of them were sex trafficking and 20% of the women impacted were of Hispanic descent (Polaris, 2018). The data shows that an incredibly high number of people who come from Latin America and the Caribbean are being exploited through human trafficking (Polaris, 2020). Immigrants from Latin American countries also make up 77% of all labor trafficking situations (Polaris, 2020).

Several factors can contribute to the exploitation of the Hispanic community, including economic instability, fear of deportation, lack of community support, and limited access to resources (Group, 2022). These issues highlight the need of supporting not only of the Hispanic population, but also supporting people of all different backgrounds. By offering our support and being firm in our beliefs, we can help create a safer environment. It is our responsibility to advocate for those who may be vulnerable and unable to fight for themselves. Hispanic heritage month, let us come together to make a significant impact on all communities and treat all people with the respect and dignity.

Group, G. (2022, February 28). Sex Trafficking Statistics - Guardian Group. Guardian Group. https://guardiangroup.org/sex-trafficking-statistics

Polaris. (2018, November 7). Myths, facts, and statistics. Polaris. https://polarisproject.org/myths-facts-and-statistics/

‌Polaris. (2020). The Latino Face of Human Trafficking and Exploitation in The United States EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. https://polarisproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/EXECUTIVE-SUMMARY-The-Latino-Face-of-Human-Trafficking-and-Exploitation-in-the-United-States.pdf