Healthy Relationships and Prevention

Sex trafficking, sexual exploitation, and other forms of sexual violence do not happen in isolation. Harmful attitudes, beliefs, and practices can create an environment in which sexual violence seems “normal.” It is in this type of environment that sex trafficking and sexual exploitation thrive.

Unless we help youth understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships, individuals who perpetrate sexual violence will continue to believe they are doing nothing wrong, and victims will believe they should accept violence as a normal part of life.