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There is no single profile of a trafficker. Traffickers can be of any race, nationality, gender, age, or sexual orientation. What they have in common is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to exploit others for labor or services. Recent research from Arizona State University's Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research shows that traffickers are not always strangers. They may include:

• Family members who use threats or debt to control someone's labor
• Romantic partners who exploit trust to manipulate and isolate
• Friends or acquaintances who recruit someone under false promises
• Employers or recruiters who take advantage of power imbalances and vulnerability

Traffickers may operate alone or within larger networks, and they often target people who are socially or economically marginalized. Some may pose as helpers or employers, while others use more aggressive or controlling tactics.