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What is human trafficking?
Human trafficking is modern day slavery.
It is the exploitation of a person through force, fraud, or coercion.
Human smuggling and human trafficking are different crimes.
Human smuggling is the illegal movement of someone across a border.
Human trafficking is the illegal exploitation of a person.
Human trafficking is about exploitation, not transportation.
Human trafficking is a highly profitable crime,
and a violation of human rights.
It occurs in every part of the world,
including here in the United States.
It happens in our big cities,
our suburbs,
and even in rural towns.
It can happen to anyone.
Human trafficking victims can be U.S. citizens
or from other countries.
Victims can be any age, race, or gender.
But one thing they share is that they are vulnerable to being exploited.
There are different types of human trafficking, including
sex trafficking, forced labor, and domestic servitude.
Sex trafficking victims are manipulated or forced against their will
to engage in sex acts for money.
Sex traffickers might use violence, threats, manipulation, or the promise of love
and affection to lure victims.
Truck stops, hotel rooms, rest areas, street corners, clubs, private residences...
These are just some of the places where victims are forced to sell sex.
Any person under the age of 18 involved in a commercial sex act
is considered a victim of human trafficking. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Forced labor takes on many forms.
It happens here in the U.S.
and overseas.
Through force, fraud, or coercion
victims are made to work for little or no pay.
Very often these victims are forced to manufacture
or grow the products we use and consume every day.
Victims of forced labor can be found in factories
and farms, doing construction work and more.
Victims of domestic servitude are hidden in plain sight.
Forced to work in homes across the United States.
Their traffickers sometimes take their identification papers
and travel documents in order to limit their freedom.
They are prisoners working as nannies, maids, or domestic help.
Every year in the United States,
thousands of human trafficking cases are reported, but many more go unnoticed.
That's because human trafficking is a hidden crime.
Victims might be afraid to come forward, or we may not recognize
the signs, even if it's happening right in front of us.
We need to bring this crime out of the shadows.
That's why the Department of Homeland Security created the Blue Campaign.
To take a stand against modern day slavery.
And help combat this heinous crime by raising
awareness of human trafficking around the country.
But we can't do it alone.
We need your help.
So what can you do to stop human trafficking?
Visit the Blue Campaign website to learn more about the
signs and indicators of human trafficking.
Share this video on social media to help bring this crime out of the shadows.
Be an informed consumer.
Know who makes the products you buy and the food you eat
to help keep slavery tainted items out of your home.
And finally recognize and report suspected human trafficking.
You can submit a tip to federal law enforcement online or by phone.
For victim support you can call or text the
National Human Trafficking Resource Center.
Help us bring this crime out of the shadows and into the light.
Join the Blue Campaign.
One Voice.
One Mission.
End Human Trafficking.
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