Human Trafficking

• Human sex trafficking involves a controlling individual (i.e., a trafficker) who uses force, fraud, or coercion to facilitate a commercial sex act. Human sex trafficking also includes anyone under the age of 18 years old who is involved in commercial sex, regardless of whether the act is voluntary or if there is a trafficker involved.
• Commercial sex is any sexual act in exchange for something of value (money, drugs, material possessions, shelter, food, etc.).
• Force includes physical or sexual assault, confinement, or deprivation of life necessities such as food, water, or sleep. Fraud includes any deceitful practices such as the promise of a “better life.” Coercion includes threats of harm towards an individual or their family, threatened abuse of the legal system, or blackmail.

Human sex trafficking has been reported in all 50 U.S. states and can affect any community. It can be street-based, occur in private homes, brothels, hotels/motels, or on the internet.

National Human Trafficking Hotline heat map depicting over 23,000 victims in 2019.

Human sex trafficking can affect any age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. Anyone can become victimized by human sex trafficking, although there are certain individuals at higher risk. Risk factors include young age, foster care system involvement, poverty, history of abuse, homeless, runaway, family dysfunction, substance abuse issues, gang involvement, LGBTQ+, mental health illness, or those displaced by civil unrest or natural disasters.

Human sex trafficking can occur in many ways and how it is depicted in the movies and on television isn’t generally accurate. Most traffickers are known to the victim and are not strangers to them. A victim may be targeted after a trafficker identifies a vulnerability or an unmet need. After a potential victim is identified, they may be recruited and groomed prior to being exploited. Recruitment refers to how a trafficker gains access to a victim and can occur in public places, schools, foster homes, or online. Grooming refers to a process in which the trafficker manipulates a victim to eventually control them. Grooming can involve gaining the victim’s trust, filling an unmet need, building a relationship, and creating dependency. After this process, a trafficker will begin to exploit their victim.

No one sign will confirm human sex trafficking but there are common indicators. Red flags include signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, signs of substance abuse, frequent sexually transmitted infections, frequent pregnancies or abortions, signs of malnourishment or exhaustion, isolation, changes in behavior, decreased interest in normal activities, frequent runaway, a romantic partner that appears controlling, or mental health symptoms (withdrawn, fearful, anxious, depressed, or suicidal). This list is not all-inclusive.

There are a variety of reasons a victim may not leave their trafficking situation. Barriers for a victim leaving include fear, shame, hopelessness, no access to money or their identification, substance abuse issues, prior attempts to escape were unsuccessful, or loyalty and love for their trafficker.

Safety is a priority. Call 911 in the event of an emergency. If you suspect minor human sex trafficking, immediately report this to law enforcement and the Department of Social Services. Do not attempt to intervene alone because situations can become very dangerous. Call the National Human Trafficking hotline (1-888-3737-888) 24 hours a day for assistance with decision-making. If you do speak to a suspected victim, ensure a safe environment and privacy, speak to them alone, and offer support and resources while remaining non-judgmental. Never pressure or force someone to answer your questions and do not make promises you cannot keep. Use our step-by-step guide above to learn more...

• For patients under the age of 18 years old, all suspicions of human sex trafficking must be reported to law enforcement and child protective services as soon as possible. No proof is needed to make a report, just a reasonable suspicion.
• For adult patients, human sex trafficking is not a mandated report. Do not report to law enforcement without explicit patient. See Help for Providers for additional assistance.