Human trafficking is when someone is forced, coerced, or tricked into providing services (labor trafficking) or commercial sex acts (sex trafficking). Essentially, it is when someone exploits and controls another person for profit. Trafficking can impact any community, regardless of race, nationality, gender, religion, immigration status, or socio-economic background. 

You might hear about trafficking in the news or on social media. For National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, get to know the facts and ways you can help survivors. 

Bust a Myth with Facts

Myth  Fact 
Trafficking always starts with kidnapping or taking someone from one place to another.  Traffickers often use non-violent mental tricks such as fear and pressure to manipulate their victims. Trafficking happens through force, fraud, or coercion, which can include kidnapping, but it’s more than that. 
Traffickers are usually strangers the victim does not know.  Many victims are trafficked by intimate partners or family members. These relationships can feel especially confusing for victims. 
Traffickers only target women and girls.   It’s estimated that as many as half of sex trafficking victims are male. The factors that make someone vulnerable to trafficking can happen in any gender. 
Traffickers only work in illegal or underground industries.   Trafficking can occur in lots of workplaces or industries. Restaurants, construction, and domestic work are some places where trafficking has been reported. 

Learn to Recognize Signs of Trafficking:

Anyone can experience trafficking, but traffickers often look for and take advantage of people in vulnerable situations, like unstable housing. Certain signs can raise concerns, like:

  • Unexplained injuries like bruises, burns, or cuts
  • Missing school, work, or other responsibilities without explanation
  • Suddenly acting very tired, withdrawn, sad, or distracted
  • Becoming very isolated or always deferring to someone else for decisions or to speak for them
  • Suddenly having lots of money, expensive clothes, or accessories
  • Working a lot but not having control over or access to their own money

These signs don’t always mean someone is being trafficked, though noticing these may mean that person needs help.

Get Help 24/7:

The National Human Trafficking Hotline is a free, 24/7, multilingual hotline: 1-888-373-7888. Report tips, get help for someone you think may be trafficked, or connect with local anti-trafficking services.

In an emergency, notify local law enforcement by calling 911.

Learn more:  

Follow the Office of Domestic Violence Strategies on social media this month as we share more myths, facts, and resources to help survivors of human trafficking.