Human Trafficking is when someone forces you to work using fraud, deception or threats.

Trafficking in persons is a crime of international proportions. Worldwide an estimated four million men, women and children are trafficked annually. Approximately 17,500 people are brought into the United States and held in slavery-like conditions each year.

Who are the Victims of Human Trafficking?

Men, women and children can be trafficked across international borders or within their own country. People who are most vulnerable to being trafficked include:

• People from areas of regional and civil conflict
• Women and young children
• People facing poverty, economic crisis and inadequate education opportunities

Where does it happen?

Victims of human trafficking can be found in all types of employment. Some typical forms of forced labor occur in

• Sweatshops (sewing or other industries)
• Restaurants
• Agricultural Fields
• Private Residences (as servants or nannies)
• "Massage Parlors" or Brothels
• Streets (begging)

How are people trafficked?

Victims are often placed in unsafe living or working conditions. Traffickers unlawfully restrict them to their jobs by:

• Withholding important documents: passports, birth certificates and identification cards
• Debt Bondage: withholding salary or wages to pay for the supposed costs of travel, documents and accommodation
• Physical Abuse: Choking, slapping, punching, kicking, rape or using weapons
• Emotional and Psychological Abuse: Threatening to harm victims or victim's family members, threats of arrest or deportation, destroying the victim's property, forcing the victim to commit illegal acts, keeping the victim in isolation

Who are the traffickers?

Anyone can be a trafficker - family, spouses, friends, neighbors, government officials. Traffickers can be individuals or members of organized crime syndicates. They may pose as job recruiters, matchmakers, or others who promise employment or marriage. These traffickers often offer to handle and pay for the costs of obtaining a passport, work permit and transportation fees for the victim.