Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery, widespread throughout the United States today. Trafficking of humans is the second largest criminal industry in the world after drug dealing, and is the fastest growing. Many victims of trafficking are forced to work in prostitution or sex entertainment. But trafficking also occurs in forms of labor exploitation, such as domestic servitude or restaurant work, sweatshop factory work or migrant agricultural work.
Force, fraud and coercion are the methods used by traffickers to press victims into lives of servitude and abuse:

• Force- Rape, beatings, confinement
• Fraud- False offers of employment, marriage, better life
• Coercion- Threats, debt-bondage, psychological abuse
• Victims of trafficking can be found in:
• The sex industry
• Domestic situations (nannies or servants)
• Sweatshop factories
• Construction
• Farm work
• Fisheries
• Hotel or tourist industries
• Panhandling
• Janitorial services
• Restaurant services

Identifying Victims of Human Trafficking
Victims of trafficking may look like many of the people coming to your organization for assistance everyday. Victims are young children, teenagers, men and women. By looking beneath the surface and asking yourself these questions, you can help identify potential victims:
Is the person accompanied by another person who seems controlling (possibly the trafficker)?
Can you detect any physical or psychological abuse?
Does the person seem submissive or fearful?
Does the person have difficulty communicating because of language or cultural barriers?
Does the person have any identification?

Sample Questions to Ask Potential Victims of Human Trafficking
If you get the opportunity to speak to or question the person alone, asking the following questions can help you determine if you are dealing with a victim:
Can you leave your job or situation if you want?
Can you come and go as you please?
Have you been threatened if you try to leave?
Has anyone threatened your family?
What are your working or living conditions like?
Where do you sleep and eat?
Do you have to ask person to eat, sleep or go to the bathroom?
Is there a lock on your door so you cannot get out?

Understanding Victims of Human Trafficking

Understanding the mindset of human trafficking victims is important to helping them restore their lives.

Consider the following points when helping someone who could be a victim of human trafficking:

Most victims do not speak English and do not understand American culture
Most victims do not know what city or country they are in because they are often forced to move
Most victims have a strong sense of distrust because they fear deportation
Most victims do not see themselves as victims and do not realize what is being done to them is wrong

Support for victims of Human Trafficking

If you suspect someone is a victim of trafficking, call the Trafficking Information and Referral Hotline at 1-888-3737-888 to obtain information and to access supportive services through the Trafficking Victims Act of 2000 (TVPA). This hotline will help by connecting them to basic services related to:

• Housing
• Health care
• Immigration assistance
• Food
• Income
• Employment
• Legal

Victims of human trafficking who are non-U.S. citizens are eligible to receive benefits and services through the TVPA to the same extent as refugees. Victims who are U.S. citizens are already eligible to receive many of these benefits.

If you think someone is a victim of human trafficking, call the Trafficking Information and Referral Hotline: 1-888-3737-888. For more information about human trafficking visit www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking.