What is Human Trafficking?

What is human trafficking?

• Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act.

What is sex trafficking?

• Sex trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery in which individuals perform commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion.
• Children under the age of 18 are considered victims regardless if force, fraud, or coercion is present.
• Sex trafficking can occur in the commercial sex industry, massage parlors, escort services, in the streets, truck stops, and many other avenues.

Signs of sex trafficking:

• A person under the age of 18 selling sex
• Branding - being coerced into getting a tattoo as a way to signify a victim belongs to a trafficker
• Clothes are inappropriate for the weather
• Signs of unusual wealth without any explanation
• Another person is speaking for the victim
• Fearful or nervous when officials get brought up

What is forced labor or labor trafficking?

• Forced labor occurs when individuals are compelled to provide work or service through the use of force, fraud, or coercion.
• Can be found in the agriculture business, construction sites, domestic servitude, restaurants, and other avenues.

Signs of labor trafficking:

• Important documents are withheld
• Living and working in the same place
• Not given proper safety equipment
• Working long or unusual hours with no or little breaks
• High-security measures in place of employment or place of residence

Sources: Department of Homeland Security

To report suspected human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline Center at 1-888-373-7888 or go to http://humantraffickinghotline.org.

If you think you or someone you know is being trafficked, please call the 24-hour domestic violence and sexual assault hotline at 1-800-828-7233 (SAFE).