1. Human Trafficking
Overview
Why Trafficking Exists
The Traffickers
The Victims
The Facilitators
Myths & Misconceptions
Anti-Trafficking Efforts
Sex Trafficking in the U.S.
Labor Trafficking in the U.S.
Recognizing the Signs
International Trafficking
Trafficking FAQs
State-by-State Resources
Calendar of Events
The NHTRC Human Trafficking Report a Tip Access Training Resources Map Get Involved Contact
It is essential to remember that vulnerability to human
traffickingis far-reaching, spanningmultiple different areas
suchas age, socio-economic status, nationality, education-level,
or gender. Traffickers oftenprey onpeople who are hopingfor a
better life, lack employment opportunities, have anunstable
home life, or have ahistory of sexual abuse -conditions that are
present inall spheres of society.
Humantraffickingvictims have beenidentifiedincities,
suburbs, andrural areas inall 50 states andinWashington, D.C.
They are forcedto work or provide commercial sex against
their will inlegal andlegitimate business settings as well as
undergroundmarkets. Some victims are hiddenbehindlocked
doors inbrothels andfactories. Inother cases, victims are in
plainviewandmay interact withcommunity members, but the
widespreadlack of awareness andunderstandingof trafficking
leads to lowlevels of victimidentificationby the people who
most oftenencounter them. For example, womenandgirls in
sex traffickingsituations, especially U.S. citizens, are often
misidentifiedas "willing" participants inthe sex trade who make
afree choice eachday to be there.
While anyone canbecome avictimof trafficking, certain
populations are especially vulnerable. These may include:
undocumentedimmigrants;runaway andhomeless youth;
victims of traumaandabuse;refugees andindividuals fleeing
conflict;andoppressed, marginalized, and/or impoverished
groups andindividuals.
Undocumentedimmigrants inthe U.S. are highly vulnerable due
to acombinationof factors, including:lack of legal status and
protections, language barriers, limitedemployment options,
poverty andimmigration-relateddebts, andsocial isolation.
They are oftenvictimizedby traffickers fromasimilar ethnic or
national background, onwhomthey may be dependent for
employment, shelter, andother means of support.
Runaways andat-risk youthare targetedby pimps and
traffickers for exploitationinthe commercial sex industry or
different labor or services industries. Pimps andsex traffickers
are skilledat manipulatingchildvictims andmaintainingcontrol
throughacombinationof deception, lies, feignedaffection,
Minors (under age 18) induced to perform
commercial sex acts are victims of human
trafficking under the Trafficking Victims
Protection Act (TVPA).
Victims of human trafficking can be men,
women, children, adults, foreign nationals and
U.S. citizens.
There is not a consistent type or profile of a trafficking victim. Based on U.S.
federal law, trafficked persons in the U.S. can be men or women, adults or
children, and foreign nationals or U.S. citizens. Some are well-educated, while
others have no formal education. Some immigrant victims are currently in the
U.S. legally, and others are undocumented. Some form of vulnerability tends to
be the common thread amongst all different trafficking victims.
The Victims E-mail PrintShare
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2. Top Resources
HumanTrafficking
National HumanTraffickingResource
Center
Sex TraffickingintheU.S.
RecognizingtheSigns
TheVictims
Client Quotes
threats, andviolence.
Traffickingvictims inthe U.S. under the federal Trafficking
Victims ProtectionAct (TVPA)of 2000 include:
Minors (under age 18)inducedto performcommercial sex
acts
Those age 18or over who are forced, deceived, or coerced
into providingcommercial sex acts
Childrenandadults forcedto performlabor and/or
services inconditions of involuntary servitude, peonage,
debt bondage, or slavery, throughforce, fraud, or coercion
The needs of survivors of traffickingare amongthe most
complex of crime victims, oftenrequiringamultidisciplinary
approachto address severe traumaandmedical needs,
immigrationandother legal issues, safety concerns, shelter and
other basic daily needs, andfinancial hardship. For more
informationabout the services available to victims of human
trafficking, includingcomprehensive service referrals inthe
U.S., click here.
Contact
Polaris Project
P.O. Box 53315
Washington, D.C. 20009
Tel: 202-745-1001
Fax: 202-745-1119
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