What trafficking really looks like — and where Lane students can turn
By Sequoia Nix
Human trafficking isn’t something “out there” or only in movies. It happens in cities our size and right here in Oregon, including Eugene and the places where we live, work, study and scroll on our phones. That’s why we, as college students trying to make it through school, jobs, classes, and relationships, need to understand what trafficking really looks like and how to protect ourselves and each other.
Human trafficking includes both sex trafficking and labor trafficking, and it’s defined by force, fraud or coercion used to exploit people for profit. It doesn’t always look like chains, white vans, or being locked up. Sometimes it’s emotional manipulation, debt control, or isolation from friends and family. That’s the version that’s harder to see, and that’s exactly the version we need to talk about.
Human trafficking occurs in every state, including here in Oregon. According to recent data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, hundreds of cases involving Oregon residents are reported each year, with nearly 250 identified victims in 2023 alone and 160 trafficking cases with 227 victims in 2024.
These numbers don’t capture every case — a lot goes unreported — but they show trafficking isn’t a far away problem. It happens in cities our size. It happens in places we go. It’s happening here.
We might think, “That could never happen to me,” but traffickers don’t just target strangers; they exploit familiar vulnerabilities. College students often face financial pressure and high costs of living, housing or food insecurity, new independence and social pressures, or online recruitment through social media or dating apps.
National research shows that people ages 18-24 are among the most at-risk age groups for trafficking because of these exact stressors. Trafficking often doesn’t look dramatic. It looks like control. Some warning signs include: someone else controlling a person’s money, phone, or schedule, isolation from friends or family, sudden fearfulness or avoidance of certain topics, pressure into sexual activity or vague “job opportunities.”
If we notice patterns like these, it doesn’t mean we’ve jumped to conclusions, but it does mean it’s worth paying attention and offering support.
If you suspect trafficking, whether it’s happening to you or someone you care about, here’s what you shouldn’t do: don’t confront a suspected trafficker, don’t force someone into disclosure, and don’t ignore your gut. Here’s what you can do: check in privately and without judgment, share resources and support, reach out to a trusted campus professional or advocate.
“Students don’t need the right language or a clear label to ask for help,” the Title IX Office said. “If someone is unsure what they’re experiencing, we encourage them to reach out anyway.”
