WHAT IT IS
Each year thousands of people fall victim to human trafficking both in the United States and abroad, but what exactly is human trafficking? United States Law defines human trafficking as the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts or labor or services against his or her will.
Human trafficking consists of three parts: Act, Means, Purpose.
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The Act: (What is done)
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Means (How it is done)
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Purpose: (Why it is done)
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Human trafficking can happen to anyone, but certain populations are more vulnerable than others. Some factors with increased risk include recent relocation, substance use, mental illness, involvement with the child welfare system or being a runaway/homeless youth. Traffickers use this vulnerability to create dependency.
Just as trafficking can happen to anyone, anyone can be a trafficker. Traffickers can include business owners, members of a gang or network, parents or family members of victims, intimate partners, famers, restaurant owners, government officials, or corporate executives.
Traffickers control their victims by isolating them from family and friends as well as physical, emotional, and financial abuse. Many times traffickers lure victims by promising them a better life, providing substances, or threatening family. Once someone has been trafficked it is both challenging and dangerous to get out.
Just as trafficking can happen to anyone, anyone can be a trafficker. Traffickers can include business owners, members of a gang or network, parents or family members of victims, intimate partners, famers, restaurant owners, government officials, or corporate executives.
Traffickers control their victims by isolating them from family and friends as well as physical, emotional, and financial abuse. Many times traffickers lure victims by promising them a better life, providing substances, or threatening family. Once someone has been trafficked it is both challenging and dangerous to get out.
THE SIGNS
There are many signs that can point to human trafficking, but it would be impossible to list them all. The ones we have listed below have shown to be the most popular. The most important thing is to keep your eyes open and if you feel that something isn’t right, then make a report to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
- Sudden/dramatic change in behavior
- Disoriented/or confused
- Many bruises in different stages of healing
- Fearful, timid, submissive
- Appear to be coached on what to say
- No personal possessions
- Juvenile with inappropriate knowledge of sexual behavior
- Lacking official identification
- Fearful of police/authorities
THE CRISIS
Human trafficking is fast growing, and the second largest criminal industry in the world. It generates roughly $150.2 billon across the world and there are approximately 27 million people (men, women, and children) that are victims of some form of trafficking.
This isn’t just a crime that happens in some far away country. It is happening right in our backyards as well. Indiana is a trafficking hotspot partially because of the accessibility of interstate travel, and it is home to major sporting events such as the Indy 500 and the 2012 Super Bowl. Since 2007, there have been more than 1,800 calls to the National Hotline regarding Indiana victims. In 2016, the Indiana Attorney General’s office identified 178 trafficked youth.
This isn’t just a crime that happens in some far away country. It is happening right in our backyards as well. Indiana is a trafficking hotspot partially because of the accessibility of interstate travel, and it is home to major sporting events such as the Indy 500 and the 2012 Super Bowl. Since 2007, there have been more than 1,800 calls to the National Hotline regarding Indiana victims. In 2016, the Indiana Attorney General’s office identified 178 trafficked youth.