January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The purpose of this month is to inform people about what human trafficking is, recognize trafficking survivors, and educate about effective human trafficking detection, response, and prevention.
Human trafficking is the “recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit,” according to the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime. Millions of men, women, and children are trafficked globally each year. Anyone can be a victim of human trafficking, although members of the LBGTQ+ community and communities of color are especially vulnerable.
In the United States, the two recognized forms of human trafficking are forced labor and sex trafficking. The Action, Means, and Purpose (AMP) Model is useful in understanding these types of trafficking. When a perpetrator—often referred to as a trafficker—takes action and then uses coercion, deception, or force as means for the purpose of manipulating the victim to perform commercial sex acts or provide labor or services, it is considered human trafficking.
Forced labor, or labor trafficking, involves a variety of actions for the purpose of taking advantage of someone else’s labor or services. An individual may use coercion, deception, or force as means to accomplish this. Domestic servitude and forced child labor are common types of labor trafficking. Sex trafficking refers to the variety of actions taken for the purpose of forcing someone else to do a commercial sex act or coerces a minor to perform a commercial sex act. This is accomplished through means of coercion, threats, fraud, and force.
Prevention
To help prevent human trafficking, strive to be an informed consumer by using tools like ResponsibleSourcingTool.org and the Department of Labor’s List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor to check if your goods were produced by child labor or forced labor. Building strong individuals, families, and social connections is essential to preventing human trafficking. One of the most important aspects of creating strong communities is through stable housing. Access to safe and affordable housing protects people from human trafficking, exploitation, and other forms of interrelated violence by providing them with opportunities for economic mobility. When parents and other caregivers have access to protective factors—such as supports like stable housing, secure income, health care, and childcare—they are in a better position to provide their kids safe, healthy environments and prevent them from abusive circumstances like human trafficking. Human traffickers frequently prey on those who are experiencing hardship or do not have strong support networks. You can prevent this by providing mentorship to a young person or someone in need. Prevention education also helps prevent human trafficking victimization. Educational programs aim to teach about risk factors associated with human trafficking, foster the adoption of healthy behaviors both online and offline, and increase resilience-building knowledge and skills.
Detection
The following are some things to look for when trying to identify signs that a person could be a victim of labor trafficking:
- Lack possession of their passport or other identifying documents
- Their supervisors threatening to deport them or cause them other harm
- Are employed in hazardous environments without the appropriate protective gear, instruction, rest periods, or other safeguards
The following are some things to look for when trying to identify signs that a person could be a victim of sex trafficking:
- Want to quit participating in commercial sex but feel afraid or unable to leave the situation.
- They may live where they work or are driven there and back by security personnel.
- Have a “manager”, “pimp”, or “sponsor” in the commercial sex industry
Response
If an incident of human trafficking is identified, you can seek assistance from The National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free hotline (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) at 1-888-373-7888, where you can speak with an Anti-Trafficking Hotline Advocate. The National Human Trafficking Hotline connects victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking with services and supports to get help and stay safe, and they also receive tips about potential situations of sex and labor trafficking. Additionally, if you or someone you know needs help, call the Washington Anti-Trafficking Response Network (WARN) Victim Assistance Line at 206-245-0782. WARN provides safe housing, food, and clothing, immigration and legal assistance, criminal justice system and victim rights advocacy, medical and mental health treatment, and more. For urgent situations, notify local law enforcement immediately by calling 911.
For more information about human trafficking: