Human Trafficking & Slavery
Human trafficking is illegal in every country, but happens across the world — and in all 50 states in the U.S. While human trafficking is most often associated with commercial sex, it also includes domestic servitude, child labor and exploitation in areas such as migrant farming. It can happen to anyone, anywhere: to men, women or children; in suburbia and on city streets; in factories, nail salons and mines and at truck stops, in fields or on fishing boats.
It’s likely happening in your community right now, whether at a suburban hotel, nail salon or farm.
It’s likely happening in your community right now, whether at a suburban hotel, nail salon or farm.
|
$150B
The amount human traffickers pull in annually |
40.3M
The number of people trapped in modern slavery: forced labor, commercial sexual exploitation and forced marriages |
1 in 4
Children make up 25% of human trafficking victims |
As COVID-19 rocks the world’s economy, experts say human trafficking will become even more prevalent. Economic instability breeds the vulnerability on which sex and labor traffickers prey. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, more than two-thirds of human trafficking victims are people of color. And because the health and economic impacts of coronavirus are disproportionately harming people of color, that puts disadvantaged people of color at greater risk of targeting.
Human trafficking is a horrific crime. But if we take action together, it can be stopped.
Human trafficking is a horrific crime. But if we take action together, it can be stopped.
Five Ways You Can Combat Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery
- Learn about the red flags (or indicators) of potential human trafficking, and how best to help. Check out these resources from the National Human Trafficking Resource Center.
- Raise awareness about human trafficking and encourage your networks to get involved on social media. Use hashtag #endslavery and #LIVEUNITED.
- Volunteer or get involved with a local anti-trafficking organization in your area.
- Learn about how your consumer habits may be connected to modern slavery. Whether it’s the clothes we wear or the phones we use, products we use daily might be produced with forced or trafficked labor. Use this tool to learn more.
- Get involved with United Way’s Center on Human Trafficking & Slavery.
