Shadows of Coercion • Sequence • Lenny.com

Shadows of Coercion

A comprehensive undergraduate sequence analyzing the psychological mechanisms, recruitment tactics, and systemic vulnerabilities associated with human trafficking. Students move from debunking media myths to deconstructing complex grooming cycles, digital predatory behavior, and labor exploitation structures.

Myths and Realities

Students evaluate common narratives about trafficking against empirical data, focusing on the disparity between 'stranger danger' myths and the reality of acquaintance-based exploitation.

Grooming and Control

An analysis of the psychological stages of the grooming cycle, examining how traffickers leverage emotional needs and create trauma bonds to maintain control.

Digital Recruitment Tactics

Investigation into how traffickers use social media, gaming, and digital tools for recruitment, featuring a deep dive into sextortion and job fraud.

Labor and Debt Bondage

Examination of forced labor structures, debt bondage, and the legal/contractual loopholes used to exploit workers in various industries.

Vulnerability Assessment

A synthesis of systemic and individual risk factors, concluding with the development of a community-based risk assessment matrix.

Shadows of Coercion

A comprehensive undergraduate sequence analyzing the psychological mechanisms, recruitment tactics, and systemic vulnerabilities associated with human trafficking. Students move from debunking media myths to deconstructing complex grooming cycles, digital predatory behavior, and labor exploitation structures.