Human Trafficking is the exploitation of human beings through force, fraud or coercion for the purposes of commercial sex or forced labor. Any person under age 18 who performs a commercial sex act is considered a victim of human trafficking, regardless of whether force, fraud, or coercion was present. A sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age; or B 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.
Source: International Labour Organization States like California, Florida and New York are particularly vulnerable to human trafficking because of factors such as: proximity to international borders, numerous ports and airports, significant immigrant populations and large economies that include industries that attract forced labor.
Los Angeles is a top point of entry into this country for victims of slavery and trafficking. The diverse communities of this sprawling city make it easier to hide and move victims from place to place, making it very difficult for law enforcement to locate potential survivors. Traffickers do not discriminate based on gender, class, age or race.
Victims may be highly skilled and may come to the U. They are enslaved not only through physical restraint, but also through coercion, fear or intimidation. The resulting exploitation is essentially a modern form of slavery.
If a victim does successfully escape and stay in the U. With no money, no documents to prove their citizenship and limited skills, they are unable to earn a living and truly find freedom and independence. Recognizing key indicators of human trafficking is the first step in identifying victims and can help save a life. Not all indicators listed below are present in every human trafficking situation. The presence or absence of any of the indicators is not necessarily proof of human trafficking. Your safety and the safety of the victim is paramount.
