What is Human Trafficking?

• A form of modern-day slavery

• Involves the exploitation of persons for commercial sex or forced labor
• Victims may be illegal immigrants, legal immigrants, or U.S. citizens (homeless, substance-addicted persons, or teenage runaways)
• Often involves crossing an international border but does not require moving a victim
• Traffickers use force, fraud, or coercion to control their victims
• Can be prosecuted on a variety of grounds

The Scope of the Problem

• Estimated 500,000 to 2 million people trafficked worldwide annually

• Estimated 15,000 to 18,000 persons trafficked annually in the U.S.
• Cases have been investigated in 48 states
• Approximately 27 million people held in slavery worldwide
  

It's a Lucrative Business

• Yields an estimated $9 Billion in profits each year

• After drug trafficking, it is tied with arms trafficking as the most lucrative business for organized crime
• Unlike drugs and arms traffickers, human traffickers can continue to exploit their victims after the initial point of sale
• Becoming a preferred business for criminal syndicates around the world

Victims Are Often "Invisible"

• Many are illegal and fear U.S. authorities and the Trafficker exploits this fear

• Victims may be physically isolated or guarded; others are held through psychological coercion
• Many victims do not speak English
• Many victims have no idea where they are in the U.S. and face tremendous cultural barriers
• Many do not realize that they are victims or that they have rights under U.S. law

The Criminal Justice Office and the Office of Immigration and Refugee Services has teamed up to address the issues of Human Trafficking.

Training Workshops are available for Parishes, Faith Based Communities, Nongovernmental Organizations, Victim Advocates and Law Enforcement Agencies.

For more information on Human Trafficking contact the Criminal Justice Office at (407) 658-1818