Human trafficking is happening around the world, but what can you do to combat it in your community?
If you believe someone is at immediate risk, report it to law enforcement by calling 911 or contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 1-888-373-7888 or texting HELP to 233733.
Every country is affected by human trafficking. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that there are 40.3 million victims of modern slavery worldwide with 62% exploited for labor and 38% sexually exploited.
San Francisco has been identified as a sex trafficking hotspot.
The FBI names San Francisco as one of the worst areas in the country for the commercial sexual exploitation of children. Under state and federal law, any minor involved in a commercial sex act has been sex trafficked.
However, it is important to recognize that adults are also targeted. In 2015, 57% of identified survivors in San Francisco county were over 18 years old.1
Traffickers often target victims through online grooming and trick them with false promises of romance or friendship.
Anyone can be vulnerable to human trafficking, but certain factors can make people more at risk. These include, but are not limited to:
Trafficked persons are controlled through:
Modern day slavery rarely takes the form of people in visible chains. It is a clandestine crime – hidden in plain sight.
What questions can you ask yourself?
Learn more about how to SPOT THE SIGNS.
STOP THE TRAFFIK is working in collaboration with local organizations, law enforcement and the No Traffick Ahead workgroup to raise awareness, mobilize communities and increase community resilience to human trafficking in the Bay Area.
Child Protective Services hotline: (800) 856-5553
National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888
Photo slide three of Facebook post: Lisa Kristine/Human Thread Foundation
1 Human Trafficking Report in San Francisco 2016 – Mayor’s Task Force on Anti-Human Trafficking
STOP THE TRAFFIK is building intelligence on global human trafficking activity to help combat this issue. If you have seen anything suspicious, you can share it on our online form, safely and securely.
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