According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, human trafficking is defined as:

"A form of modern-day slavery. This crime occurs when a trafficker uses force, fraud or coercion to control another person for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or soliciting labor or services against his/her will. Force, fraud, or coercion need not be present if the individual engaging in commercial sex is under 18 years of age."

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What many people have yet to realize, is that human trafficking is not just in other countries. It is happening on a daily basis here in the United States all around us. Because of the hidden nature, it is difficult to get accurate statistics, so we are not sure of the full scope of the problem, but we can get an idea of how big the problem is by the amount of phone calls, text, Webchats, emails, or online tip reports that the National Human Trafficking Hotline received nationwide in 2020. They received a total of 51,667 tips in 2020. These are just tips, not reported cases, the accurate amount of trafficked persons. We know that there are many more out there that we have not seen or heard about. 

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Human Trafficking is growing year over year. This causes a massive amount of trauma with its victims and they deal with anxiety, emotional numbness, memory loss, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, a dependence on substance or alcohol use, eating disorders, and many more trauma induced difficulties. It is heartbreaking that people around us may be dealing with the results of being trafficked with no help to manage and overcome what they are going through.

 

We are here to help. God has called us to help these victims be restored to who He has call them to be. If you know someone who has been trafficked and needs help, reach out so we can help them get the help they need. 

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If you have seen or have suspicions of someone that may be currently trafficked, please contact us or the 24 national hotline to get them help. Someone being trafficked is not always locked in a room, they could be out and about in the community around you.

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High risk factors:

• Homelessness

• Alcohol or drug addiction

• Mental health problems

• Chaotic home environment or recent family breakdown

• Foster care

• Long-term unemployment

• Learning difficulties

• Debts or criminal convictions

• Fearful of deportation or being discovered by authorities

• Physical injuries or disabilities

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Signs to be aware of:

• Appearing malnourished

• Signs of physical injuries and abuse

• Avoiding eye contact, social interaction, law enforcement

• Appearance of scripted or rehearsed responses in social interaction

• Lacking official identification documents

• Lack of personal possessions

• Working excessively long hours

• Living at place of employment

• Checking into hotels with older males, and referring to those males as boyfriend or “daddy,” which is often street slang for pimp

• Poor physical or dental health 

• Tattoos/ branding on the neck and/or lower back

• Untreated sexually transmitted diseases

• Not being allowed to speak for themselves

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Need help or see someone that needs help? National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1 (888) 373-7888