What is Human Trafficking?

Guest contributor:
Jenifer Couty,
Human Trafficking Task Force Coordinator 
Lake County State Attorney’s Office, Waukegan, IL

What is human trafficking, showing photo of women holding her hand out pushing away towards the camera.

If you are like me, you likely have heard the term “human trafficking,” but never knew the true definition of the term.   Before being awakened to the big picture, I conceptualized human trafficking based on what I had seen in movies and TV shows.  These mediums portray Human Trafficking as a sexually violent crime where victims are assaulted or threatened with violence. I am here to tell you, that perception merely scratches the surface of the crime’s meaning. Please, allow me to explain.  

Human Trafficking is an umbrella term widely used to refer to a crime where perpetrators exploit and profit at the expense of another person by compelling them to perform commercial sex acts or labor AGAINST HIS OR HER WILL. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) defines human trafficking as the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel someone to perform labor or a commercial sex act. What does all of that mean? All you have to do is remember 3 words:

Action, Means, & Purpose

Partnerships are the greatest strength in combatting human trafficking. We can’t do this on our own. It truly takes a village to identify and serve victims of human trafficking.Human Trafficking occurs when a person takes action and employs the means of force, fraud, or coercion for the PURPOSE of getting the victim to provide commercial sex acts, labor, or services. 

 

    1. Action: Recruits, Harbors, Transports, or Obtains a victim.

    2. Means: Employs any of the following:

        • Force– Physical restraint, physical harm, sexual assault, and beatings.  

        • Fraud– False promises regarding employment, wages, working conditions, love, marriage, or a better life. 

        • Coercion– Implied threats of violence or retaliation, or other intimidating behavior that puts a person in immediate fear of the consequences.

    3. Purpose: making the victim provide commercial sex, labor, or services. 

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If you have one element from all 3 categories, you’ve established a potential human trafficking situation. The only exception to this is when the victim is under the age of 18. In any situation where a minor under the age of 18 is persuaded into commercial sex, it is considered human trafficking regardless of any indicators of force, fraud, or coercion.

As you can see, there is no “single type” of Human Trafficking! Know the signs of human trafficking and join the fight against it.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW ARE IMMEDIATE DANGER, CALL 911.
If you suspect a case of human trafficking, call THE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE: 1.888.373.7888

Human Trafficking Hotline Contact Info