Name a barrier that victims of human trafficking face when seeking help.

Victims of human trafficking often encounter significant barriers when seeking help, with one of the most pronounced being the fear of law enforcement or deportation. This fear is particularly acute among individuals who may have an irregular immigration status, as they often worry that reaching out for assistance could lead to arrest or their deportation back to a dangerous situation. This anxiety can prevent victims from contacting authorities or organizations that could assist them, ultimately keeping them trapped in their current circumstances.

Additionally, this barrier is compounded by other factors, such as the trauma associated with their experiences and the manipulation they may have faced from their traffickers, which often instills a deep mistrust of authorities. Many victims believe that reaching out for help will worsen their situation rather than improve it, leading them to remain silent and isolated.

In contrast, while the other options highlight important issues—like the lack of educational resources, absence of local shelters, and inadequate knowledge of social services—none captures the immediate and powerful fear that influences a victim's decision to seek help more effectively than the fear of law enforcement or deportation.