Human Trafficking

What Is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. Human trafficking is the business of stealing freedom for profit. In some cases, traffickers trick, defraud or physically force victims into providing commercial sex acts. In others, perpetrators solicit labor or services under fraudulent pretenses.  Victims are lied to, assaulted, threatened or manipulated into working against their will under inhumane, illegal or otherwise unacceptable conditions. It is a multi-billion dollar criminal industry that denies freedom to 24.9 million people around the world. 

Human trafficking can happen to anyone but some people are more vulnerable than others. Significant risk factors include recent migration or relocation, substance use, mental health concerns, involvement with the children welfare system and being a runaway or homeless youth. Often, traffickers identify and leverage their victims’ vulnerabilities in order to create dependency.

Resources

Contact Information related to Human Trafficking

National Human Trafficking Hotline
Telephone: 1-888-373-7888 or text them at 233-733                                         

This site also provides a referral directory to find social and legal services for victims and survivors of human trafficking, and connect with training and volunteer opportunities across the U.S. and its territories as well as the following services:

Crisis assistance to victims of human trafficking
Report a human trafficking tip
Connect with anti-trafficking services in your area
Access general information and resources
Get involved in your community

RAINN
Telephone: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)  

CAST

Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking

Telephone: 24/7 Hotline 888-KEY-2-FREE (888-539-2373)

CAST offers intensive case management, comprehensive services and advocacy to survivors. CAST is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual human rights organization located in Los Angeles that has been nationally and internationally recognized for its dedication to the identification of trafficking survivors, the mobilization of all sectors of the community to identify and advocate against trafficking and the provision of direct services for victims.    

Office on Trafficking in Persons
An Office of the Administration for Children & Families

This agency’s mission is to combat human trafficking by supporting and leading systems that prevent trafficking through public awareness and protect victims through identification and assistance, helping them re-build their lives and become self-sufficient. They assist individuals who have experienced trafficking and those at risk of human trafficking.