Human Trafficking
Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide, including here in the United States. Trafficking can happen in any community, and victims can be from any race, gender, age, or nationality.
Human Trafficking is a form of slavery. The fear experienced by victims and the trauma caused by traffickers can be so great that many individuals may not identify themselves as victims or ask for help.
Are you a victim of human trafficking, or do you suspect someone is a trafficking victim? Please see this checklist.
What is Human Trafficking?
Human Trafficking happens when someone is forced, tricked, or coerced into working. This can include sex work. Victims can be found in legal and illegal businesses, like restaurants, factories, sweatshops, massage parlors, hotels, and domestic service (housecleaning, cooking, child care, gardening, etc.).
Traffickers may use promises of well-paying jobs, romantic relationships, violence, or threats of violence against family members in order to keep the person working. The trafficker limits the victim’s freedom. This can be done by taking away the victim’s passport, driver’s license, and other documentation. Traffickers can also withhold a victim’s wages. Often, the living conditions of the victims are inhumane (poor sanitation, inadequate food, dangerous working conditions, lack of quality healthcare, etc.).
Human trafficking is a serious human rights violation.
NOTE: Under US federal law, anyone under the age of 18 who is induced to work as a commercial sex worker is a victim of human trafficking.
Is Human Trafficking the same as Human Smuggling?
No, but they are related crimes.
Human Smuggling involves the smuggled person’s permission and transportation across international borders. Usually, the person agrees to be transported illegally into a country, and pays the smuggler a large amount of money. Once in the country, they are free of their smugglers. If the smuggler uses force, fraud, or coercion to hold the person against their will for purposes of labor or sexual exploitation, then it becomes human trafficking.
How can I get help? What do I do if I think someone is involved in Human Trafficking?
Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to 233733
Call Homeland Security Investigations Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423
For more information, please contact The Department of Homeland Security.