In many cultures around the world, the ideas of brujería (witchcraft) and the mal de ojo (evil eye) have long been part of folklore, used to explain misfortune, illness, and bad luck. While often dismissed as superstition, these beliefs can have real and dangerous consequences when manipulated by predators. In the world of human trafficking, traffickers use witchcraft and the evil eye to control and manipulate their victims, exploiting deeply rooted cultural beliefs to create psychological fear, especially within immigrant communities.
The intersection of mystical beliefs and human trafficking is not just a story of folklore gone wrong—it’s a calculated tactic designed to keep vulnerable individuals trapped in exploitative situations. This blog explores how traffickers use brujería and the evil eye as psychological tools of coercion in the United States.
The Use of Brujería in Human Trafficking
Brujería, or witchcraft, is often used by traffickers as a method to instill fear and submission in their victims. Traffickers familiar with their victim’s cultural or spiritual beliefs exploit these systems to maintain control. For example, in many Latin American and Caribbean cultures, the power of a bruja (witch) is taken seriously. Traffickers may claim to have connections with witches who can cast curses or spells on the victims or their families if they disobey or attempt to escape.
This manipulation plays on deeply ingrained cultural fears, leading victims to believe they are powerless against the spiritual forces controlling them. Traffickers use these beliefs to create an invisible prison, where victims feel trapped both physically and spiritually. Some of them even perform rituals, burn candles, or use symbolic items to make the threats feel real, convincing victims that there is no escape from the spiritual torment they face. Traffickers use witchcraft and the evil eye to reinforce these threats, ensuring victims remain paralyzed by the supernatural forces they believe control their fate.
The Evil Eye: A Weapon of Fear
The concept of the evil eye (mal de ojo)—the belief that a person can cast a curse or bring harm to someone simply by giving them a malevolent glance—has been a part of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Latin American folklore for centuries. For those who believe in its power, the evil eye is not something to be taken lightly; it is believed to bring misfortune, illness, or even death.
Traffickers capitalize on this belief by convincing their victims that they are under the influence of the evil eye. They attribute any bad luck or sickness the victims or their families experience to this curse. By creating a false narrative that the victim is cursed or under spiritual attack, traffickers use fear and intimidation to further isolate and control them.
How Traffickers Use Witchcraft and the Evil Eye for Coercion Through Spiritual Fear
Traffickers use witchcraft and the evil eye as tools of coercion, manipulating their victims into submission by exploiting their spiritual beliefs. Their manipulation often extends beyond threats. They may tell their victims that their only hope for safety is to remain compliant, promising to lift the curse or protect their families if the victims obey their demands. This form of psychological coercion creates a complex web of fear, making it difficult for victims to seek help or escape.
Although human trafficking is often associated with international borders, it is a widespread issue within the United States. Many victims, particularly from immigrant communities, bring with them deeply rooted cultural and spiritual beliefs that traffickers exploit to maintain control. These manipulations can go unnoticed by authorities, as victims are often too afraid to speak up or may not fully understand how they are being controlled.
Addressing the Spiritual Exploitation of Trafficking Survivors
The use of brujería and the evil eye as tools of coercion is particularly effective because it preys on the spiritual vulnerability of the victims. For immigrants who may already feel isolated in a new country, these beliefs add another layer of control, making them feel as though they cannot trust anyone—not even themselves. When traffickers use witchcraft and the evil eye, they exploit this spiritual vulnerability, creating a sense of helplessness in their victims.
To effectively combat trafficking in the U.S., it is crucial to recognize the role that cultural and spiritual beliefs play in the manipulation of victims. Understanding the impact of brujería and the evil eye on trafficking survivors can help law enforcement, social workers, and advocates approach these cases with greater sensitivity and awareness.
Providing Holistic Support for Survivors
Traffickers use witchcraft and the evil eye to impose spiritual control, which makes it even harder for victims to break free from the psychological torment they endure. Trafficking survivors who have been controlled through these mystical threats need not only legal and physical protection but also psychological and cultural support to help them break free from the mental chains imposed by traffickers. Offering culturally competent services, including counseling that addresses spiritual trauma, can be key to helping survivors reclaim their autonomy.
In addition to understanding these manipulative tactics, it’s crucial to know the legal options available to help victims of trafficking. The T Visa offers vital protection for survivors, granting legal status and a path to a secure future in the U.S. For a full overview on qualifying and applying, see our article on T Visa benefits and processes here.
Brujería and the evil eye may seem like ancient or far-off superstitions, but in the hands of human traffickers, they become powerful tools of fear and control. By exploiting the cultural and spiritual beliefs of their victims, traffickers use witchcraft and the evil eye to create invisible bonds that can be even harder to break than physical ones. As we continue to address human trafficking in the United States, it is essential to recognize the many layers of manipulation traffickers use—including mystical threats—so we can provide victims with the holistic support they need to escape and heal.
Conclusion
Traffickers use witchcraft and the evil eye, among other cultural and spiritual beliefs, to add a powerful layer of manipulation that can trap victims in fear and isolation. By understanding how these beliefs are weaponized, we can better protect vulnerable communities and provide the support trafficking survivors need to break free from both physical and psychological control. Combating human trafficking requires not only legal and physical intervention but also culturally sensitive approaches that address the spiritual and emotional trauma inflicted on victims.
If you or someone you know is affected by human trafficking, compassionate support is available. Call us at 630-504-0648 to set up a confidential consultation, or click here to book an appointment at your convenience.
Facebook: Qazi Law Offices
Instagram: AbogadaFarrahQazi
LinkedIn: Qazi Law offices