Ignorance is not bliss
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the saying “Ignorance is bliss” and how deceptively true it can feel. In the world of human trafficking, however, there is no unseeing or unknowing once you begin to understand the reality of what is happening in our communities.
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. And with awareness comes responsibility. With that in mind, I encourage you to read on, knowing that the truths surrounding trafficking are deeply troubling and should compel us toward action.
While 2025 statistics have not yet been released, we can look at human trafficking cases filed by the FBI in New Mexico over the past year. These cases reveal that the majority of victims are between the ages of 10 and 19. They also show that, in most cases, perpetrators are known to the victim. They are often acquaintances, family members, or even siblings.
(Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crimes Against Children & Human Trafficking data)
In the most recent full calendar year of reporting (2024), the National Human Trafficking Hotline identified 146 victims in New Mexico. At first glance, some may be tempted to think, “That’s not too bad.” But research consistently shows that trafficking is vastly underreported. Polaris and other national researchers estimate that only about 6 to 18% of trafficking cases are ever identified through law enforcement or social service reports. If that estimate holds true, it could mean that more than 2,400 victims in New Mexico may have gone unseen in a single year.
(National Institute of Justice)
Accurately estimating the number of trafficking victims is incredibly complex. The heartbreaking reality is that we will never know how many people remain hidden in the shadows.
What we do know with certainty is that trafficking is closely connected to transportation infrastructure. Albuquerque is home to an international airport, a major bus and train terminal, and the intersection of I-25 and I-40. These factors make New Mexico a corridor through which trafficking victims are moved across the state and beyond.
Polaris Project explains it this way:
“According to the National Hotline, sex trafficking can be present at commercially operated truck stops as well as state-operated rest areas and welcome centers due to their remote locations and the male-dominant customer base that use the facilities. These locations are often insulated from local rural communities, making it a convenient place for traveling customers to purchase sex with minimal concerns of detection.” (p. 33)
Polaris Project, On-Ramps, Intersections, and Exit Routes: A Roadmap for Systems and Industries to Prevent and Disrupt Human Trafficking
These days, when I travel, I find myself paying closer attention, watching for someone who appears distressed, withdrawn, or traveling with another person where the dynamic just doesn’t feel right. While the saying “If you see something, say something” was originally developed to encourage reporting of potential terrorist activity, it’s also a powerful reminder when it comes to identifying possible trafficking situations.
Whether you are shopping, traveling, or simply interacting with others in your community, your awareness and willingness to speak up could be life-saving.
Common indicators of being trafficked:
Appears fearful, anxious, submissive, or unusually quiet.
Avoids eye contact or seems coached on what to say.
Someone else speaks for them or controls the conversation.
Seems confused about where they are or where they live.
Shows signs of physical abuse (bruises, burns, untreated injuries).
Looks exhausted, malnourished, or deprived of medical care.
Has tattoos or branding that indicate ownership (names, barcodes, crowns, money symbols).
Is not allowed to hold their own ID, phone, or money.
Has monitored or restricted phone use.
Is rarely allowed to be alone.
Has transportation controlled by another person.
Describes owing a debt they cannot escape.
Lives and works in the same place with little freedom.
Youth-Specific Warning Signs:
An older boyfriend or girlfriend who seems controlling.
Sudden gifts, new clothes, phones, or cash with no clear explanation.
Running away frequently or staying with unknown adults.
Truancy, sudden behavior changes, or withdrawal.
Explicit photos shared online or being pressured to do so.
Talking about “working,” “partying,” or “modeling” in vague or coded ways.
These lists are not exhaustive, but they are a solid starting point for moving from ignorance to awareness.
Awareness alone is not enough. If learning about human trafficking has unsettled you, that discomfort can be a starting point for meaningful action.
The New Mexico Dream Center offers several ways to get involved:
Provide financial support to help survivors access safety, resources, and long-term stability.
Volunteer your time in programs that walk alongside vulnerable youth and trafficking survivors.
Get trained by taking the Human Trafficking 101 (HT101) course to better recognize signs of exploitation and to respond appropriately.
Trafficking thrives in silence and misunderstanding. It is disrupted when ordinary people choose to stay informed, stay alert, and stay engaged.
This January, alongside your other resolutions, consider committing to awareness and action. Once we see what is happening, ignorance is no longer an option.
References
· National Human Trafficking Hotline. New Mexico state report. 2024. https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/statistics/new-mexico
· Polaris Project. On-ramps, intersections, and exit routes: A roadmap for systems and industries to prevent and disrupt human trafficking. https://polarisproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/A-Roadmap-for-Systems-and-Industries-to-Prevent-and-Disrupt-Human-Trafficking-Transportation-Industry.pdf
· National Institute of Justice. Gaps in reporting human trafficking incidents result in significant undercounting. https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/gaps-reporting-human-trafficking-incidents-result-significant-undercounting
· Federal Bureau of Investigation. Crimes against children and human trafficking. https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/LATEST/webapp/#/pages/explorer/crime/crime-trend
· ABT Global LLC. Human trafficking prevalence estimation feasibility study. https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/bjs/grants/309951.pdf