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Know How to Identify Forced Labor When You See It – and How to Report It
Human trafficking is one of the most profitable crimes in the world, generating billions of dollars in illicit revenue every year. Forced labor, which affects an estimated 27.6 million people worldwide, is responsible for a significant portion of that figure. Like other forms of human trafficking, forced labor occurs when individuals are compelled against their will to provide service through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. It is a crime that happens in the United States and across the globe, and its victims can be any age, race, religious affiliation, gender identity, nationality, or socioeconomic background.
Blue Campaign has a variety of resources you can use to learn about forced labor, what it looks like, and examples of goods that may be produced using forced labor.
To report suspected civil forced labor trade violations, submit allegation information to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at go.dhs.gov/ZSa. To report criminal violations of forced labor in corporate supply chains, submit information to ICE.ForcedLabor@ice.dhs.gov, or contact the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) tip line at 866-347-2423 or submit a HSI tip form online.
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Blue Campaign to Commemorate Women’s History Month
Blue Campaign will be recognizing Women’s History Month throughout March by highlighting women’s voices from across the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as well as survivor leaders who are working to end human trafficking. Stay up to date with the latest insights from these leaders by following the Blue Campaign on social media (@DHSBlueCampaign on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram).
FAI Partners with BLI to Combat Human Trafficking in Alaska
The Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) is proactively stepping up to combat human trafficking and ensure safety for Alaskans by partnering with Blue Lightning Initiative (BLI). While every employee at FAI will be offered training through the Initiative, Airport Police and Fire will receive advanced training as part of the program. More details can be found here.
Countering Human Trafficking Act codifies CCHT, Expands DHS Fight Against Human Trafficking
On December 27, President Biden signed the “Countering Human Trafficking Act of 2022,” which codifies and expands the Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT). The bill authorizes $14 million to carry out the Act and ensures that the CCHT is staffed with at least 45 employees to help accomplish the Department’s critical work to combat human trafficking.
“This is a seminal moment in our fight against the scourge of human trafficking,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “With the increased funding and additional personnel dedicated to leading the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking, we will advance our work to identify and support victims, conduct operations that hold the traffickers accountable, and strengthen our partnerships with non-governmental organizations. We are grateful for this critical legislation that supports our victim-centered, all-of-society effort to end human trafficking.”
“The Countering Human Trafficking Act will increase and expand the CCHT’s effectiveness in targeting human traffickers around the globe, protecting victims, and supporting counter-trafficking work throughout DHS,” said Cardell T. Morant, CCHT Director. “Importantly, it will also facilitate the continued development of the Blue Campaign, the Department’s national human trafficking awareness initiative, designed to educate the American public about the signs of trafficking and the ways in which they can help trafficking victims and help bring suspected traffickers to justice. We are grateful to Congressional leadership and our partners for recognizing the value in this DHS center.”
To read more about the Act, click here.
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DHS Releases Annual Report on Counter-Human Trafficking Efforts
On January 31, DHS released the annual “Countering Human Trafficking: Year in Review.” The report highlights select accomplishments and advancements made by DHS offices and components toward countering human trafficking. The report also includes links to additional resources that explain DHS’s counter-trafficking operations, outreach, and other efforts.
HSI Detroit, Local Law Enforcement Investigation Results in Life Sentence for Sex Trafficker
A Detroit man who photographed his sexual assaults of a young child and forced an adult to engage in prostitution was sentenced to life in prison this January, after a joint investigation by HSI Detroit and the West Bloomfield Township Police Department.
Ryon Travis, 39, was convicted of production of child pornography and sex trafficking in July 2022. The joint investigation began after detectives who were looking into Travis for identity theft found explicit photographs of child sexual abuse on his phone. When officers returned to Travis’s home to gather additional evidence, they found an adult woman chained by the neck to a pole in the living room. Investigators learned that multiple women for whom he arranged commercial sex lived in Travis’s home. When one of the women tried to leave, Travis forced her to continue engaging in prostitution by placing a chain around her neck.
“Predators like Travis tear at the very foundation of our communities, not only victimizing children but subjecting multiple women to sex trafficking,” said Special Agent in Charge Angie Salazar, HSI Detroit. “It is my hope that this sentence brings some measure of peace to the survivors, knowing that he will remain behind bars.”
To read more about the Travis investigation, click here.
NCMEC Launches ‘Take It Down’ Tool
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) recently launched a new tool to support survivors of online child sexual abuse. The free service, Take It Down, enables its users to submit a case for removing nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit photos and videos depicting a child under 18 years old from the web. Using a unique digital fingerprint, Take It Down allows participating platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and others to detect and remove flagged imagery from their public or unencrypted sites and apps. To learn more, visit bit.ly/42b7O6.
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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