Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is the exploitation of men, women, and children for forced labor or sex by a third-party for profit or gain. The National Human Trafficking Hotline explains it simply: “Human trafficking is the business of stealing freedom for profit.” This is a global problem, with an estimated 25 million people enslaved worldwide, as well as a local one (International Labor Organization, 2017). A 2016 study by the University of Texas at Austin estimates that there are 313,000 victims of human trafficking in Texas at any given time.
Trafficking survivors actively seek services at sexual assault and domestic violence agencies across the state. While there are many similarities between trafficking and sexual assault, this population has different recovery needs and therefore requires a specialized response. TAASA works to assist our stakeholders as they navigate the challenges around serving human trafficking survivors. Please see the “Resources for Centers” and “How We Can Help” sections below for more information.
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) defines trafficking as:
- Sex trafficking in which a 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; or
- The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.
A victim need not be physically transported from one location to another in order for the crime to fall within these definitions.
The following indicators are pulled from the 2020 human trafficking tip sheet, “Creating Safer Spaces: TIPS FOR ADVOCATES”, linked under “Resources for Centers.”
Do not make assumptions based on one indicator, but look at the totality of the situation.
General Trafficking Indicators
- Inconsistencies when reporting where they live or lack of knowledge about the city/state they currently reside may come up. They also may be in shock and not able to tell any of their story or very little of it at all. They may also seem reticent or resist talking.
- Someone is always with them (or they may be nearby watching). They are not allowed to speak for themselves.
- Little to no eye contact when spoken to.
- No access to a bank account or any other money/financial resources.
- Not free to come and go as they wish.
- Living in the same place that they work.
- Does not have access to passport, visa, or other immigration status documents, driver’s license or state ID. Is someone else holding these documents?
- How many cell phones do you have? Who is in charge of the phone bill?
- Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations, or the faith community?
- Has a child stopped attending school?
- Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior?
- Is the person disoriented or confused, or showing signs of mental or physical abuse?
- Does the person have bruises in various stages of healing?
- Is the person fearful, timid, or submissive?
- Does the person show signs of having been denied food, water, sleep, or medical care?
- Is the person often in the company of someone to whom they defer? Or someone who seems to be in control of the situation (for example, where they go or who they talk to)?
- Does the person appear to be coached on what to say?
- Is the person living in unsuitable conditions?
- Does the person lack personal possessions and appear not to have a stable living situation?
Sex Trafficking Indicators
- Been forced by a partner or family member or gang member to provide sexual favors
- Poor health or has multiple untreated sexually transmitted infections or related injuries
- Hypersensitive to touch, no eye contact
- Has had to terminate one or more pregnancies over a short period of time
- Signs of branding such as tattoos with abuser’s/trafficker’s/gang name, dollar signs
- Using terms from “The Life” like hustler or wifey
- Has pictures/intimate information posted online about them
- Has condoms, extra clothes that do not match the weather or normal circumstances, wet wipes, hotel room key(s)
Labor Trafficking
- Has been forced by a partner or family member to work inside the home in a situation of domestic servitude or outside of the home without access to earnings
- Was recruited through false promises concerning the nature and conditions of their work
- Debt owed to employer
- Not allowed to leave working situation unless monitored
- Works excessively long hours and is unpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips
The crime of human trafficking has strong parallels to sexual and domestic violence. Perpetrators of these crimes utilize the same system of power and control and often use sexual violence as a tool. Additionally, traffickers and perpetrators of sexual assault both prey upon marginalized populations including: immigrants, ethnic and racial minorities, economically disadvantages persons, LGBTQ+ individuals, and persons with disabilities.
While traffickers could have a number of relationships to a survivor (employer, family member, neighbors, peers), they are very often a survivor’s intimate partner. Additionally, survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence are similarly impacted by their victimizations, both experiencing things like isolation, extreme trauma, depression, anxiety, injury, and STDs/HIV among others (Krieger et al., 2020).
If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.
If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free hotline, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-888-373-7888 to speak with a specially trained Anti-Trafficking Hotline Advocate. Support is provided in more than 200 languages. All communication with the hotline is strictly confidential.
Additional Hotlines:
- Labor Trafficking: Trafficking in Persons and Worker Exploitation Task Force, 1-888-428-7581. This telephone line is operated by the United States Department of Justice weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM EST. Operators have access to interpreters and can talk with callers in their own language.
- Domestic Violence: National Domestic Violence Hotline, 24-hour Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Sexual Abuse: Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), 24-hour Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
- Suicide: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 24-hour Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Dating Violence: National Dating Abuse Helpline, 24-hour Hotline: 1-866-331-9474
- Runaway and Homeless Youth: National Runaway Safeline, 24-hour Hotline: 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929)
- Missing Children and Child Pornography: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 24-hour Hotline: 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678)
Immigration Relief: The United States provides two types of immigration relief to victims of human trafficking and other crimes in the form of a T Nonimmigrant Status (T Visa) and U Nonimmigrant Status (U Visa). For more information, visit the U.S. Citizen and Immigration website here.
- Creating Safer Spaces: TIPS FOR ADVOCATES | 6-page tip sheet developed by the Texas Council of Family Violence (TCFV) and TAASA to be used by sexual assault and domestic violence centers.
- CSEY Advocacy Two-Pager | This document provides a summary of the Commercially Sexually Exploited Youth (CSEY) Advocacy model. This specialized, long-term, form of advocacy was developed by the Governor’s Office Child Sex Trafficking Team and is being implemented across the state by select non-profit organizations and sexual assault agencies where appropriate. Please reach out to Laramie Gorbett and Kara Harrington for additional information (contact info below).
- Best Equipping Your Agency to Serve Trafficking Survivors | This TAASA webinar explores the intersecting dynamics of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking and introduces the Office of the Texas Governor’s model for CSEY Advocacy.
- National Human Trafficking Hotline | 1 (888) 373-7888; SMS: 233733 (Text "HELP" or "INFO")
- Be the One in the Fight Against Human Trafficking | Training Video, Office of the Attorney General of Texas
- Identification Tools:
- CSE-IT (Commercial Sexual Exploitation Identification Tool)
- Vera Institute’s Out of the Shadows Tool for Identification of Victims of Human Trafficking
- National Human Trafficking Resource Center’s Comprehensive Trafficking Assessment (inclusive of both labor and sex trafficking) and Human Trafficking Assessment Information for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Programs
- Texas Office of the Governor, Child Sex Trafficking Team
- U.S. Department of Labor | U and T Visa Certifications
TAASA provides human trafficking training and technical assistance to sexual assault and domestic violence centers across the state. Please reach out for assistance or to schedule a training.
Laramie Gorbett, M.A.
Human Trafficking Specialist
Ext: 127
Kara Harrington
Human Trafficking Advocate
Ext: 147
Mike Sweeney
Human Trafficking Specialist
Ext: 112