Written by Education and Outreach
 
 
 
Coordinator Maira Rodriguez 

 

As we welcome the new year and the month of January we are also observing National Stalking and Human Trafficking Awareness Month in the United States.

While fictional portrayals of stalking might make it seem dramatic such as the quintessential Michael Myers jumping through loop after interminable loop to capture and kill his target Laurie Strode, the reality is that stalking—much like human trafficking—is often subtle. Stalking is a crime built on actions that, individually, might seem innocent (such as repeated calls, texts, or compliments), but when viewed together, constitute an illegal and dangerous pattern of behavior.

Perpetrators often use tactics like manipulation, coercion, and threats which can make it difficult to report and prove. Stalking is defined as “a crime of power and control. It is a course of action directed at an individual that causes the victim to fear for their safety, and generally involves repeated visual or physical proximity, nonconsensual communication, and verbal, written, or implied threats (ovc.ojp.gov). At Tu Casa, Inc. we rep the color yellow in observance of National Stalking Awareness month and with SPARC which is known as the Stalking Prevention Awareness and Resource Center dedicated to educating people on how to identify and respond to stalking.
 

Similarly, while high-profile cases of stalking such as the case of John Lennon who was murdered outside his New York apartment by an obsessed fan, capture headlines, the crimes are often less visible and more common than we realize. 
 

In the same vein, the U.S. Department of Justice defines human trafficking as "a crime involving the exploitation of a person for labor, services, or commercial sex." Human traffickers, for example, are not always part of large organized crime groups; they can be people we know who are aware of a person's struggles or living situation.

Unfortunately, a highly susceptible group of people is the youth. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children there were more than “27,800 reports of possible child sex trafficking in 2024 alone, with an average age of just 15 among missing children identified as likely victims (OnemoreChild.org). Since, these children and teens often lack stable homes, safe adults to confide in, or face issues such as poverty, mental health problems, or find themselves as a part of largely marginalized groups such as the LGBTQ community - they are often viewed as the perfect target for perpetrators. These perpetrators usually manipulate and coerce their victims into doing things against their will, force them into unwanted sex acts or child labor, and essentially take away their victims autonomy for their own personal gain. 

In addition, it’s important to remember that more common problems affecting the San Luis Valley are domestic servitude, sex trafficking which manifests in demanding sex in exchange for housing or drugs and it is usually perpetrated by an intimate partner. Labor trafficking and child labor are also considered under the umbrella of human trafficking and are more common in our area. 

This month we are encouraging everyone to take time to learn more about recognizing the subtle signs of both stalking and human trafficking. Although these aren’t crimes that are at the forefront of our minds like, let's say, theft, it is still a problem affecting many Americans today. The official awareness color for Stalking Awareness is yellow, and blue is the color for human trafficking awareness. 

There are many resources, both locally and nationwide, available to victims of these crimes and a lot can be accomplished when we shine a light on this abuse that often flourishes in darkness and silence. At Tu Casa, Inc. we have resources to help aid survivors who have experienced stalking or human trafficking in their lives such as advocacy, emergency shelter, emergency financial assistance, and more. 

Help us fight back and encourage victims to come forward. Help us create a community where no one should live in fear.