What is Human Trafficking?
Slavery has evolved.
The idea of slavery has been almost exclusively tied to the traditional chattel slavery of America’s past, and while still present in certain countries, slavery has since evolved and now most often occurs in these forms:
BONDED LABOR
People become bonded laborers by taking or being tricked into taking a loan, working to repay the debt. They may never be able to pay it off, and it can be passed down for generations.
FORCED LABOR
People are illegally recruited by individuals, governments or political parties and are forced to work, usually under the threat of violence or other penalties.
SEX TRAFFICKING
Women, men or children that are forced into the commercial sex industry and held against their will by force, fraud or coercion.
CHILD LABOR
Is comprised of any enslavement, including bonded labor, forced labor and/or sex trafficking of a child, and is mentally, physically, socially or morally harmful.
Human trafficking can occur in any community. It can affect anyone, regardless of gender, race or age. However, traffickers do seek out vulnerable individuals—those experiencing economic hardship, psychological or emotional susceptibilities, a lacking support system. Often times a “grooming” process is used, whereby a trafficker gets to know their victim, identifies their vulnerabilities and creates a false perception of love. When the “grooming” process ends, victimization begins, and that false perception of love is used in conjunction with violence.
Traffickers use various tactics to gain control of their victims, including force, fraud, coercion, abuse (psychological, physical and financial), threats, and isolation from family and friends. False promises are made to establish a sense of security to those who may be more vulnerable. Once control has been imposed, victims are forced into labor or commercial sexual exploitation.
Human trafficking is happening in our own backyards.
Here’s what we’re doing to combat it: Our Initiatives