Familial Trafficking Poses Challenges for Wyoming Communities

Over 50% of child trafficking cases involve family members, experts say, making it difficult to detect and stop the abuse.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 12:00am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In Wyoming, more than half of child trafficking cases involve a family member exploiting a child for sexual activity or labor, according to experts. This "familial trafficking" is difficult to detect and stop, as the abuse often happens behind closed doors within existing community networks. Victims face complex challenges in disclosing the abuse and escaping, as they may still love their trafficker and fear retaliation or separation from family. Mandatory reporting laws in Wyoming require any person to report suspected child abuse, but prosecutions remain rare, leaving victims trapped in the cycle of trauma.

Why it matters

Familial trafficking is a significant issue in Wyoming's rural communities, where close-knit family and social networks can enable abuse to go undetected. This type of trafficking is often hidden from view, making it challenging for authorities and social services to intervene and protect vulnerable children. Understanding the dynamics and barriers victims face is crucial to developing effective prevention and response strategies.

The details

According to the International Organization of Migration, 41% of child trafficking situations are facilitated by a family member or relative, while another 14% involve an intimate partner and 11% involve friends. This means more than half of trafficked children are being exploited by people they know and trust. In Wyoming, officials say this "homegrown" trafficking is a major concern, as perpetrators leverage existing community ties to abuse children. Victims often feel trapped, with traffickers using manipulation tactics like threats, shame, and a "twisted sense of loyalty" to keep them compliant. Even when abuse is suspected, children may be reluctant to disclose out of fear of retaliation or separation from family.

  • In 2017, the International Organization of Migration estimated the prevalence of familial child trafficking.
  • From 2020 to 2025, the Wyoming Department of Family Services had less than ten documented instances of possible trafficking, despite the state's mandatory reporting laws.

The players

Lt. Derek Morrell

A lieutenant with the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office who has spoken about the public's misconceptions around sex trafficking.

Cara Chambers

The director of the Wyoming Division of Victim Services, who says rural Wyoming communities are vulnerable to familial trafficking.

Terri Markham

The executive director of the statewide anti-trafficking organization Uprising, who says familial trafficking is one of her biggest concerns for Wyoming.

Charlie

A trafficking survivor who was exploited by his mother starting at age 8 in Connecticut and Las Vegas.

Michele Fritz

A licensed clinical social worker and former Sheridan County School District 1 social worker who discusses the complex trauma faced by trafficking victims.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There can be a lot of familial, homegrown trafficking because we have rural communities. We're seeing cases of families who are, for a lack of a better word, pimping out their children or intimate partners for money.”

— Cara Chambers, Wyoming Division of Victim Services Director

“It is so complex, because at the end of the day, if it's their parent who is trafficking them, they still often love that parent. What I see most often is they'll go against [disclosing the abuse] because they don't know what will happen if they report.”

— Terri Markham, Executive Director, Uprising

“If something feels off, it's probably because something's off. And if you're walking into a situation and it doesn't feel resolved, then maybe you're not done there.”

— Charlie, Trafficking Survivor and Advocate

What’s next

Several organizations in Wyoming, including schools and hospitals, are working to train staff on recognizing and reporting signs of child abuse and trafficking. Lawmakers have also passed legislation requiring schools to provide child sexual abuse prevention education. However, experts say more can be done to support victims and prosecute traffickers, especially in cases of familial abuse.

The takeaway

Familial trafficking is a complex and underreported issue in Wyoming, where close-knit communities and manipulative tactics by traffickers make it difficult for victims to come forward. Addressing this problem will require a multi-pronged approach focused on education, victim support, and strengthening the justice system's ability to intervene and protect vulnerable children.