Human Trafficking
What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is modern day slavery
It is the recruitment, transport, sale or receipt of persons within or across national borders through force, fraud or coercion to place the persons in slavery or slavery-like work conditions.
Around the world, women, men, and children are forced into prostitution, sweatshops, domestic servitude, or labor for little or no pay. Worldwide estimates of trafficked persons range from 600,000 to 800,000 per year. Approximately 14,500 to 17,500 of those people are trafficked into the United States.
In 2000, Congress passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) which provides immigration relief and social services to eligible victims of trafficking. Congress defines “severe forms of trafficking in persons” as:
- Sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform the act is under 18 years of age; or
- 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.
How to recognize a victim of human trafficking:
Human trafficking includes more than forced prostitution. Trafficked persons may be forced to work in any of the following areas:
- Agricultural work
- Factory or sweatshop labor
- Domestic servitude (i.e., housekeeping, child – or – elder care)
- Restaurant labor
- Sex work
This is not an exhaustive list of potential activities in which a victim may be forced to participate. Victims of human trafficking may also be forced into criminal activity, begging, or any number of other activities.
Look for these observable signs in a potential victim*:
- Evidence of being controlled
- Evidence of inability to move or leave job
- Bruises or other signs of physical abuse
- Fear of employer or depression
- Not speaking for him or herself and/or non-English speaking
- No form of identification or travel documentation
Questions that may be helpful in identifying a victim*:
- What type of work do you do?
- Are you being paid? How much?
- Who organized your travel and work?
- Do you owe your employer money?
- Can you leave your job if you want?
- Have you or your family been threatened?
- Has your identification or travel documentation been taken from you?
*from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Campaign to Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking
Services available to victims of human trafficking:
Under the TVPA, survivors of human trafficking may be eligible for special immigrant status and for federally-funded services through both public and private agencies.
Through the Department of Justice and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Social Services of Philadelphia is able to provide services to victims of human trafficking in the Mid-Atlantic Region upon their identification.
The Special Immigrant Populations Project works with law enforcement, medical professional and other potential points of contact to identify human trafficking victims, to secure their safety, and ensure that they obtain such things as:
- Housing
- Medical/mental health services
- Food/clothing/personal items
- Interpreter services
- Cultural orientation
- Legal representation for immigration needs, including application for T Visa and Certification
Upon certification, adult survivors of human trafficking are eligible for public services and benefits to the same extent as refugees. These benefits include food stamps, cash and/or medical assistance, and self-sufficiency programs.
Child and youth survivors of human trafficking are also eligible for benefits under the TVPA. In additional to the benefits available for adult survivors, children and youth are also eligible for culturally appropriate care within a family or group environment, depending on the child or youth’s developmental needs.
Where can I get more information or assistance with serving victims of human trafficking?
Victims of human trafficking are eligible for services, and have legal rights that must be protected. USCCB and Catholic Social Services staff assist with guidance in navigating law enforcement referrals and eligibility for services. If you believe that you are aware of a potential victim of human trafficking, or if you have any questions about the issue, please phone one of the following:
- Special Immigrant Populations Project at 215-313-9008 to screen potential victims, inform victims of their rights, and obtain assistance for victims as they move forward. This line is funded by the Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime.
- Trafficking in Persons Information and Referral Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 to screen potential victims and identify local services available to assist the victim. This hotline is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services and by the Office of Refugee Resettlement.
- Trafficking in Persons and Worker Exploitation Task Force compliant line 1-888-426-7581 to begin and investigation of a suspected case by federal law enforcement authorities. This hotline is funded by the U.S. Departments of Justice and Labor.
