What is Human Trafficking?
Human Trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. It is a criminal activity in which traffickers use force, fraud or coercion to control victims for purposes of engaging in commercial sex acts or forced labor services against their will.
- Victim is accompanied by a controlling person; not speaking on their own behalf; may say they can’t speak English
- Lack of control over personal schedule, money, transportation, travel documents and forms of identification
- Lives and works in the same place; inability to leave their job; “debt” owed to employer/boss/”boyfriend”
- Fearful, submissive, poor health, cuts or bruises, evasive when answering questions, keep to themselves; seem withdrawn, depressed or distracted
- Appears overly tired at school or work
- Brags about making or having lots of money
- Displays expensive clothes, accessories or shoes; inappropriately dressed
- New tattoo (often used by pimps as a way to brand victims).Tattoos of a name, symbol of money, or barcode
- Shows signs of gang affiliation (preference for specific colors; gang symbols)
- Older boyfriend or new friends with a different lifestyle. Talks about wild parties or invites other students to attend parties.
- Children in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems
- Runaway and homeless youth
- Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals
- Persons with disabilities
- Populations with limited English proficiency
- Anybody
Prostitution is the most common form of human trafficking in the U.S.
- Average age of entry: 12-14 years
- Victims typically U.S. citizens
- Adults, children, LGBTQ youth
- Nightly earnings quota: $500+, all for pimp
- Victims must have sex with 1-15 men daily
The following resources may be helpful for service providers, trafficking victims, and anyone who wants to learn more about human trafficking.
One of the best resources for information about human trafficking is the Polaris Project. Visit their website at www.polarisproject.org.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
The Typology of Modern Slavery
Massage Parlor Trafficking Report
Raising awareness about human trafficking:
GEMS – Girls Educational & Mentoring Services
National Domestic Workers Alliance Beyond Survival Report
Trucking & Human Trafficking (Information by Lanier Law Firm)
For more information on homeless and runaway youth, visit NCSL.org
Never try to intervene or “rescue” someone yourself. Report immediately to proper authorities.
The first thing to do is report to your local police department.
Reports can be made anonymously and confidentially.
Children’s Cove
Call 1-888-863-1900; www.childrenscove.org
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Call 1-800-843-5678; www.missingkids.com
National Human Trafficking Resource Center
Call 1-888-373-7888 or text “Info” or “Help” to BEFREE (233733)
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations
Hotline 1-866-347-2423 (U.S. and Canada); www.ice.gov/webform/his-tip-form
Video about Cape Cod PATH and human trafficking on Cape Cod
DHS Blue Campaign
The Blue Campaign is the unified voice for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) efforts to combat human trafficking.
Blue Campaign video overview about human trafficking.
Blue Campaign video about entrapment.