In the age of technology, it isn’t surprising that more millennials are turning to the web in hopes of finding true love or at least a quick hook-up. Many millennials are becoming caught up in abusive and dangerous situations because of the fad of online dating. Although most internet dates end harmlessly, some end tragically. One Texas woman recalls how she was almost swept into the rapidly growing industry of Human Trafficking by her internet date.
Latrice, a 25-year-old college student, was persuaded by one of her friends to create a profile on Plenty of Fish (POF). Once using the app, she met a man who seemed so handsome, charming, and normal. They exchanged messages via POF for a couple of weeks before she became comfortable enough to give him her number. A month later, he asked her out and she excitedly agreed. But once on her date, she quickly started noticing red flags that alarmed her. Half way through their date, he became extremely sexual and personal. He began to ask her questions about what she is open to sexually “because he loves to watch his woman have sex with his friends.”
He began to joke about having a cleaning service with all female servants that get paid to clean and perform sexually favors. He would laugh it off but Latrice could not get the “joke” out of her head. The next evening he offered to take her to get her nails and feet done because “she had to keep her product looking good.” She started having second thoughts. She jokingly told her social worker cousin about her date. Her cousin became concerned because she was describing someone being “primed” for human trafficking and urged her to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline. They confirmed her suspicions, he was a sexual predator.
The hotline helped Latrice break things off with her date safely without alerting him that she knew the truth. She even submitted a report in their system which was red flagged and was sent to the local authorities anomalously. Latrice wanted to tell her story to warn women about the dangers of dating online and how to notice the signs of human trafficking. When meeting someone for the first time, always meet in a well-lit, public place that you are familiar with. Never get into a vehicle or private place with the individual. Always let someone know where are you going and what time you should be back. And avoid consuming alcohol to prevent your judgment from being impaired. If at any moment you feel unsafe, plan an escape route to safely leave. But above all this, trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, leave. Your life may depend on it.
And if you or anyone you know are in an abusive situation, please seek help. For websites for help and more information click here.
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