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What You Need to Know about Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is often a hidden crime. Every year, human trafficking victims across the U.S. go unnoticed because we don’t always recognize the crime when we see it. Knowing what to be aware of can help bring victims out of the shadows and save their lives. Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. It exists in two primary forms: sex trafficking and forced labor. Regardless of which form it takes, human trafficking involves exploitation and profit at the expense of an individual. It is a crime that generates billions of dollars a year and affects millions of people globally.
Though human trafficking is a wide-ranging problem, you can play an important role in combating it. Blue Campaign provides a variety of awareness resources. Below are just a few:
You could help save a life. If you suspect human trafficking, report it. Make sure to save the following reporting numbers to your phone:
- National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
- Homeland Security Investigations Tip Line: 1-866-347-2423
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CCHT Hosts Advanced Human Trafficking Training for Investigators
Last month, the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) hosted an advanced human trafficking training in Washington, D.C., for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents and others who support investigations. The three-day event brought together experts from across the country with experience in leading investigations, providing victim assistance, forensic interviewing techniques, and advancing victims’ rights law. Also featured was a presentation on Blue Campaign outreach materials for use in supporting HSI anti-trafficking outreach. Training is just one of the ways the Center supports the field in enhancing their efforts and carrying out the victim-centric approach to investigating these crimes.
“Training events like this are an important part of the CCHT’s commitment to carry out our mission of advancing counter human trafficking operations, protecting victims, and enhancing prevention efforts through our comprehensive cross-training initiatives,” said CCHT Director Cardell T. Morant. “Having HSI agents, forensic interviewers, and other personnel gathered together to learn from their colleagues and other experts in the field was another way we continuously seek to improve our ability to detect, prevent and investigate human trafficking and, above all, protect victims.”
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HSI and North Texas Trafficking Task Force Investigation Results in 25 Year Combined Sentence for Buyer, Seller of Sex Slave
In early August, two men were sentenced in the Northern District of Texas to 180 months and 121 months imprisonment respectively for kidnapping and sex trafficking. Alfonso Orozco Juarez, 37, sold his victim as a “sex slave” to Robert Hubert, 68, for five thousand dollars after advertising her for sale on social media. The two-year investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the North Texas Trafficking Task Force with support from the 2nd Judicial District Attorney's Office in Albuquerque, NM.
“The physical and mental abuse suffered by the victim in this devastating sex trafficking crime is heart-breaking. These perpetrators treated their victim as if she were personal property and not human,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Lester Hayes Jr. “The HSI Dallas-led North Texas Trafficking Task Force will work relentlessly to eliminate these commercial sex-trafficking schemes. Fortunately, the defendants’ 25-year combined prison sentences will not allow them to target anyone else.”
The case is an example of the success that multi-agency task forces led by HSI have had in investigating trafficking crimes and bringing traffickers to justice.
More details on this investigation can be found here: go.dhs.gov/Z4v
World Games Human Exploitation Task Force Announces Arrests (Birmingham Watch)
HSI says 34 arrests were made for commercial sex and six arrests for human trafficking during The World Games. The task force also made eight arrests of adults seeking online enticement of a minor and/or traveling to meet a minor for sex.
Homeland Security Investigations Little Rock announces human trafficking awareness campaign (KARK)
HSI Little Rock have announced a new collaborative effort aimed at fighting human trafficking during a week-long outreach campaign from July 17-22. This initiative is being conducted with support from the Department of Homeland Security, the Center for Countering Human Trafficking, the Little Rock Police Department, and the Federal Air Marshal Service.
Tag Blue Campaign on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using @DHSBlueCampaign. Each month, we share content you can distribute on your social channels to raise awareness about human trafficking in your community.
- DYK: Movement is not required for #HumanTrafficking to occur. It is a crime that can be committed against an individual who has never left their hometown or even their home. Learn more common myths and misconceptions: dhs.gov/Z49
- Unsure of whether you could recognize #HumanTrafficking if you saw it? @DHSBlueCampaign offers indicator cards in English, Spanish, and 36 other languages. Download today: dhs.gov/Z4j
- #HumanTrafficking can happen in any community — including yours. Learn more about the crime from @DHSBlueCampaign so that you can help #EndTrafficking: dhs.gov/Z4H
- Saving these two #HumanTrafficking reporting hotline numbers can help save lives: Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or the Homeland Security Investigations Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423.
For more information visit the Blue Campaign
To report suspected human trafficking: 1-866-347-2423
To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733)
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