human trafficking
If you suspect human trafficking, call the
National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at
1-888-373-7888
or text BeFree (233733).
You should also call local law enforcement.
Human trafficking is a type of modern day slavery wherein the trafficker profits from the exploitation of the victim(s). This crime occurs in countries all over the world, including the United States. Human Trafficking is second only to the criminal drug trade in illegal profit.
Human trafficking takes two forms:
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Labor trafficking: Defined in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 as "the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery."
Some Forms of Labor Trafficking:
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Small Businesses
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Domestic servitude
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Farms
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Cleaning Services
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Sex trafficking: Defined in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 as a "commercial sex act induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age."
Some Forms of Sex Trafficking:
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Online
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Pimp-Controlled Prostitution
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Brothels
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Escort Services​
Potential Trafficking Indicators
A victim of human trafficking may exhibit the following:
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Is not free to come and go as he/she pleases;
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Lives where he/she works;
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Is unpaid or paid very little;
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Appears malnourished;
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Exhibits unexplained injuries or signs of untreated injuries/illnesses;
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Exhibits signs of physical or sexual abuse or even torture;
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Has been "branded" by trafficker, usually in the form of a tattoo;
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Is in the commercial sex trade and has a "pimp."
Legislation in PA:
Act 105, a Comprehensive Human Trafficking Legislation, was passed in 2014. Act 105 enhances:
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The prevention of human trafficking;
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The protection of victims;
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The prosecution of human trafficking.
Additional Resources about Human Trafficking
