The crime of human trafficking hinges on the exploitation of another person. People often falsely believe “human trafficking” implies victims must be moved from one place to another to be a victim. Human trafficking does not require transportation to be considered a crime. It is a crime that can be committed against an individual who has never left his or her hometown.
Human traffickers use various forms of force, fraud, and coercion to control and exploit victims including:
- Imposing of debt
- Fraudulent employment opportunities
- False promises of love or a better life
- Psychological coercion
- Violence or threats of violence
You can help play a role in ending human trafficking by learning key indicators of the crime, raising awareness of human trafficking within your community or industry, and reporting suspected trafficking incidents. Individuals working in particular industries or with specific audiences may be more likely to observe human trafficking by nature of their day-to-day job duties or surroundings.
Click here to access a multitude of resources to educate and take action.
To report suspected human trafficking, call 1-866-347-2423. To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline call 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733).