Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide – including right here in the United States. It can happen in any community and victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality. Traffickers might use violence, manipulation, or false promises of well-paying jobs or romantic relationships to lure victims into trafficking situations.
Language barriers, fear of their traffickers, and/or fear of law enforcement frequently keep victims from seeking help, making human trafficking a hidden crime.
“In this state (South Dakota), Native women and children are at higher risk than any other racial groups, so trafficking is actually happening on the reservations”. ~ Yumi Suzuki, USD Professor (2014)
From the U.S. Department of Homeland Security:
Recognizing key indicators of human trafficking is the first step in identifying victims and can help save a life. Here are some common indicators to help recognize human trafficking:
Recognizing key indicators of human trafficking is the first step in identifying victims and can help save a life. Here are some common indicators to help recognize human trafficking:
- Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations, or houses of worship?
- Has a child stopped attending school?
- Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior?
- Is a juvenile engaged in commercial sex acts?
- Is the person disoriented or confused, or showing signs of mental or physical abuse?
- Does the person have bruises in various stages of healing?
- Is the person fearful, timid, or submissive?
- Does the person show signs of having been denied food, water, sleep, or medical care?
- Is the person often in the company of someone to whom he or she defers? Or someone who seems to be in control of the situation, e.g., where they go or who they talk to?
- Does the person appear to be coached on what to say?
- Is the person living in unsuitable conditions?
- Does the person lack personal possessions and appear not to have a stable living situation?
- Does the person have freedom of movement? Can the person freely leave where they live? Are there unreasonable security measures?
The 3 most common types of human trafficking are sex trafficking, forced labor and debt bondage.
If you suspect labor trafficking, assess the situation with these self-assessment cards, in multiple languages, from Advocates for Human Rights.
Download the Self-Assessment Cards here
Languages available:
English Arabic French Indonesian Khmer Malay Mandarin Spanish Swahili Vietnamese
If you suspect labor trafficking, assess the situation with these self-assessment cards, in multiple languages, from Advocates for Human Rights.
Download the Self-Assessment Cards here
Languages available:
English Arabic French Indonesian Khmer Malay Mandarin Spanish Swahili Vietnamese
To anonymously report human trafficking,
call the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888,
or text "HELP" or "INFO" to 233733
call the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888,
or text "HELP" or "INFO" to 233733
Photos used under Creative Commons from John Brighenti Tatters ✾