January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a time when we raise awareness about this crime that affects millions worldwide. According to the US Department of Justice, human trafficking is defined as the exploitation of individuals for labor, services, or commercial sex through force, fraud, or coercion.
There are two forms of human trafficking:
Sex Trafficking: This involves pressuring a person to perform commercial sex acts through force, fraud, or coercion. For minors, any commercial sex act is considered trafficking, regardless of the means used.
Labor Trafficking: This form involves forcing individuals to perform labor or services through similar means. It can occur in various industries, including agriculture, construction, domestic work, manufacturing, and service industries like beauty and massage parlors.
Trafficking can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. The most vulnerable populations are targets of traffickers making the crime even harder to identify because these individuals are less likely to report what is happening to themselves. Additionally, studies have identified the intersection of domestic violence situations and sex trafficking, further complicating victims seeking help.
What can you do to help stop trafficking?
Begin by recognizing potential trafficking situations by looking for these red flags:
People who appear to be controlled by others and unable to speak for themselves.
Individuals working excessively long hours in poor conditions.
Signs of physical abuse or malnourishment.
Lack of personal possessions or identification documents.
If you suspect human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733 (BEFREE) to report a possible situation. Do not intervene yourself as it could be dangerous to you and the person being trafficked.
Remember, your vigilance can help save lives and bring traffickers to justice.
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