$150B

Human trafficking earns profits of approximately $150 billion a year for traffickers including $99 billion from commercial sexual exploitation. (International Labor Organization, 2014 - most recent data available)

40.3M

According to a September 2017 report from the International Labor Organization and Walk Free Foundation, an estimated 40.3 million victims are trapped in modern-day slavery (forced labor, forced sexual exploitation and forced marriage).

All 10

Sex Trafficking has been documented in every state - and all 10 counties in New Hampshire. It is happening in rural areas and suburbia as well as urban centers.

It is the fastest-growing criminal enterprise in the world, and incredibly lucrative – a $150 billion per year industry (International Labor Organization, 2014) in the buying and selling of human beings for profit and pleasure. The profits are substantial and the risks of being prosecuted are slim.

Federal law defines sex trafficking as the “recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting of a person for the purposes of a commercial sex act, in which the commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age”. A commercial sex act, which includes prostitution, pornography, stripping, and webcamming, is an act performed in exchange for anything of value. What is received in this exchange is often money, but can include something as simple as a hamburger for someone who is hungry, a place to stay, drugs, or higher status in a gang.

While it is true that there are individuals who are at higher risk of victimization, such as runaway and homeless youth, those who have experienced abuse and young people who have been in the foster care system, all children, teens, and adults are vulnerable to some extent. Traffickers are masters at targeting and manipulation, seeking out the vulnerable at parks, malls, schools, transit stations, group homes, recovery meetings – as well as through social media. Potential victims are approached and groomed, sometimes while living at home, and are often advertised for sale on the internet. A comparatively small percentage of these cases involve abductions. Most are being trafficked by people they have met and know, threatened with harm to themselves or their families if they try to leave or tell someone.

A lack of community awareness and understanding of the dynamics of sex trafficking, coupled with the hidden nature of the crime, make the role of the trafficker/pimp and the recruiter relatively easy and the task of law enforcement much more difficult. Fueled by a growing demand for commercial sex and the considerable profits that can be be made, the magnitude of this crime can seem overwhelming, but we can work together to make a difference. Seek out education and training, share with those in your sphere of influence about the tactics of traffickers, and know the red flags to watch for. There is truly no place for ignorance and complacency - this is happening on our watch. We who have the freedom, resources and opportunity can take a stand, seek justice, and support victims and survivors.

List of Potential Indicators and Red Flags

For more information, please visit Equality Model US.

The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is the U.S. Government’s principal diplomatic tool to engage foreign governments on human trafficking. It is also the world’s most comprehensive resource of governmental anti-trafficking efforts and reflects the U.S. Government’s commitment to global leadership on this key human rights and law enforcement issue.

If you believe you may have information about a
trafficking situation or need help:

Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free hotline at 1-888-373-7888: Hotline Advocates are available 24/7 to provide help or receive tips of potential human trafficking and when appropriate, will connect to service providers or law enforcement in the reported state.

Text the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 233733. Message and data rates may apply.

Chat the National Human Trafficking Hotline via www.humantraffickinghotline.org/chat