In their theory of perception, Berelson and Steiner, 1964, p. 88), postulates that human responses to media messages is dependent on how much the physical messages appealed to their sentiments not only in physical sense but based also on their wants, needs, attitudes, values or other psychological variables. Motivation to an act, purpose or behaviour is therefore a result of a positive perception toward the object, act, purpose or behaviour. Equally, an avoidance, avoidance tendency from a given object, act, purpose or behaviour is a product of negative perception of such phenomenon.

Where other Nigerians are exploring various legitimate means of earning a living or acquiring wealth, traffickers perceive that trafficking in women and children for exploitation of their sex or service is the way to go based on their physical and psychological environment. The victims and some of their mothers who support them into modern day slavery must perceive being trafficked as a great deal route out of poverty. For traffickers and their voluntary or involuntary victims, the commodification of human beings does not exist except for its perception as the much awaited means to a better life. To them, there is nothing wrong with sex for money and, perhaps, to think so is to be mad. Ironically or unfortunately for them, society or the right thinking global community do not share the perception that challenges the values it holds dear based on their perception of what and how life should be lived with freedom and the human dignity of everybody. This is the conflict of perceptions and foundation of the establishment of NAPTIP and the campaign against trafficking in persons in Nigeria.

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