January is Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention month. Human trafficking occurs when force, fraud, or coercion are used to obtain a person’s labor or to involve them in commercial sex acts. It is a global crime that touches millions of lives and happens in communities across the United States.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Trafficking can affect anyone, yet heightened vulnerability includes:
- American Indians and other marginalized populations
- Undocumented or recently arrived immigrants
- People with disabilities
- Runaway, homeless, or low-income youth
- Individuals without stable support
Survivors may be hidden, but many are in plain view—going to work, school, or social settings while being controlled behind the scenes.
Who Are Traffickers?
Traffickers reflect all racial, ethnic, and gender demographics. They may be individuals, intimate partners, parents or relatives, or business owners in places such as farms and restaurants. Exploitation often begins with relationships built on false promises, not stranger abductions.
Red Flags
Pay attention when someone:
- Promises things that seem too good to be true
- Pressures immediate commitment or makes threats
- Cuts off contact with family or monitors communications
- Controls your money or identification
- Requests sexual acts or tasks outside your comfort zone
- Uses violence or intimidation
These signs do not prove trafficking alone, but they signal a need to pause and seek safe help.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline provides free, confidential support 24/7. Call: 1-888-373-7888; Text: HELP to 233733 (BEFREE);
Information adapted from www.dea.gov