LEARN + RESOURCES
Human Trafficking
Human trafficking involves the exploitation of another person through force, fraud, coercion, or circumstances that make it difficult or unsafe to leave.
Trafficking can happen to people of any age, gender, background, or community. Support is available whether you are unsure what is happening, worried about someone else, or looking for help yourself.
Exploitation is about control.
A person may stay in a trafficking situation because of fear, threats, financial control, emotional manipulation, dependency, or concerns for their own safety or someone else’s.
WHAT IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING?
Exploitation can take different forms.
Human trafficking occurs when someone exploits another person for labor, services, or commercial sexual activity through force, fraud, coercion, or other forms of control.
Trafficking does not always involve kidnapping, physical restraint, or transportation across state or national borders.
Trafficking may involve:
- Threats or intimidation.
- Physical or sexual violence.
- Financial control or debt.
- Withholding identification or documents.
- Isolation from family, friends, or support systems.
- Manipulation, grooming, or emotional control.
- Threats involving children, loved ones, immigration status, or housing.
FORMS OF TRAFFICKING
Human trafficking can involve sexual or labor exploitation.
Sex Trafficking
Sex trafficking involves commercial sexual activity that is obtained through force, fraud, or coercion.
When a minor is involved in commercial sexual activity, force, fraud, or coercion does not have to be shown.
Labor Trafficking
Labor trafficking involves forcing or coercing someone to work or provide services through threats, fraud, debt, restriction, or other forms of control.
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
Trafficking does not always look like what people expect.
Someone experiencing trafficking may know the person exploiting them, live with them, depend on them financially, care about them emotionally, or return to the situation more than once.
A person does not need to be physically locked up, transported, or kidnapped for trafficking to occur.
Control can be psychological, financial, emotional, or physical.POSSIBLE INDICATORS
There may be signs that someone is being controlled or exploited.
No single sign proves trafficking is occurring. Context matters, and every situation is different.
Control Over Movement
Someone else controls where the person goes, who they speak with, or when they can leave.
Financial Control
Money, wages, identification, transportation, housing, or basic needs may be controlled by another person.
Fear or Hypervigilance
The person may appear fearful, anxious, unusually guarded, or afraid of another person.
Scripted Responses
Someone may answer questions for them, closely monitor conversations, or appear to control what they say.
Isolation
The person may have limited contact with friends, family, school, work, or other support systems.
Threats + Coercion
Threats may involve violence, homelessness, immigration status, arrest, children, loved ones, debt, or exposure.
SEXUAL VIOLENCE + TRAFFICKING
Sexual violence can be part of trafficking.
A person experiencing trafficking may also experience rape, sexual assault, sexual coercion, exploitation, threats, or other forms of sexual violence.
SAAP can provide support around the sexual violence someone has experienced, even if they are not ready to report or identify their experience as trafficking.
WHY SOMEONE MAY NOT LEAVE
Leaving may not feel safe or possible.
People may face multiple barriers at the same time.
Fear
Threats of violence or retaliation can make leaving dangerous.
Dependence
Housing, food, transportation, money, or other basic needs may depend on the exploiter.
Emotional Control
Grooming, affection, manipulation, shame, or trauma bonds may affect decisions.
Isolation
A person may have been separated from friends, family, services, or trusted support.
IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE
Focus on safety, support, and choice.
If someone may be experiencing exploitation, approaching them with judgment or pressure can make it harder for them to seek help.
Offer support, listen to what they are telling you, and avoid confronting the person you believe may be exploiting them.
You might say:
- “I’m here if you want to talk.”
- “You don’t have to explain everything right now.”
- “I’m concerned about your safety.”
- “Would you like help finding support?”
- “You get to decide what feels safest for you.”
SAFETY PLANNING
Safety planning can be especially important.
Leaving or changing contact with someone who is controlling or exploiting another person can increase risk in some situations.
A safety plan can consider transportation, emergency contacts, safe places, technology, documents, money, children, pets, and other needs.
Explore Safety Planning →CHILDREN + TEENS
Young people can be especially vulnerable to exploitation.
Grooming may begin online or in person and can involve attention, gifts, promises, affection, money, transportation, housing, or emotional support.
Young people may be afraid of getting in trouble, losing a relationship, disappointing someone, or not being believed.
HOW SAAP CAN HELP
Support can start with a conversation.
If sexual violence is part of what you experienced, SAAP can provide free, confidential support and advocacy while helping you understand available options and resources.
SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE 24/7
You do not have to navigate this alone.
Call SAAP for free, confidential support.