FAQs
What is human trafficking?
HUMAN TRAFFICKING OR TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS, IS THE EXPLOITATION OF HUMAN BEINGS THROUGH FORCE, FRAUD OR COERCION FOR THE PURPOSES OF COMMERCIAL SEX OR FORCED LABOR.
Any person under age 18 who performs a commercial sex act is considered a victim of human trafficking, regardless of whether force, fraud, or coercion was present. Human trafficking is a multi-billion dollar industry second only to drug trafficking in annual profit. U.S. Department of State estimates that 14,500 to 17,500 persons are brought into the United States each year for labor or sexual exploitation.
The Federal Definition of sex trafficking is:
(A) sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such has not attained 18 years of age; or
(b) the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage or slavery.
Are there different types of human trafficking?
Human trafficking falls into two categories.
Sex Trafficking- The use of violence, threats, lies, debt bondage, and other forms of coercion to compel adults and children to engage in commercial sex acts (sex for money) against their will.
Forced Labor- Occurs when people are forced to work by another person through the use of violence, intimidation, or other actions. A trafficker may also take the victim’s identity papers or legal documentation and threaten to report the victim to immigration authorities.
Where does sex trafficking occur?
It can happen any where, some common venues/industries for sex trafficking are:
-Spa and Massage Parlors/ -Residential or Commercial Brothels/-Escort Companies/ -Exotic Dancing/ -Pornography/-Truck Stops/-Hotel/Motels
Does human trafficking involve physically moving people from place to place?
Human trafficking is often confused with human smuggling, which is the illegal movement of people across borders. Human trafficking does not necessarily involve the movement of people.
Where do human trafficking crimes take place?
Human trafficking is a crime that is “hidden in plain sight.” It can happen ANYWHERE! For example, sex trafficking may occur in hotels, motels, residential brothels, private homes, truck stops, massage parlors, and even on the street. Labor trafficking happens in hotels, motels, restaurants, casinos, hair and nail salons, private homes, construction sites, and factories
Isn’t sex trafficking and prostitution the same thing?
No. The difference is free will. Victims of sex trafficking are being forced against their will or tricked by another person to perform sex for money. Prostitutes and sex workers may voluntarily perform sex acts for money. They are not coerced or tricked into staying in the business.
How big of a program is human trafficking
Human trafficking is the second largest and fastest growing criminal industry in the world. It’s estimated that human trafficking generates $32 billion in profits internationally each year, and enslaves 10-30 million people.
What are some signs of Human Trafficking?
Injuries or signs of physical, psychological or sexual abuse
Accompanied by someone who speaks on their behalf, or seems to be in control of the situation
Someone else has possession of their identification documents such as passport or driver’s license
No freedom of movement; cannot leave where they live or work
Deplorable living or working conditions
Isolation from friends, family, or social groups
Working long hours or being forced to work when sick
Working to pay off a debt, debt bondage
Threats of physical harm to the individual or their family members, or threats of deportation
Why don’t victims leave their traffickers?
Traffickers control their victims and keep them from escaping. They may do this through physical abuse, threats to the victims or their families, debt bondage, confinement, confiscating legal or identity documents, and/or psychologically manipulating them into thinking that they can’t leave.
Victims may not understand what trafficking is or know that it’s illegal.
Traffickers may have convinced their victims that they can’t make it on their own, or that people who could help them—such as law enforcement—should be feared.
Victims also may develop strong emotional and psychological bonds to their traffickers as a result of physical and emotional abuse.
How can I help end human trafficking?
There are many ways to get involved in the fight to end human trafficking, including volunteering at organizations that help survivors, helping to educate others in your community, school, or workplace about human trafficking, and working with legislators to strengthen anti-human trafficking laws.