What is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery where people are forced or tricked into labor or sexual exploitation. Traffickers use violence, threats, lies and manipulation to control their victims.

Types of Human Trafficking:

• Sex Trafficking: Victims are forced or coerced into sexual acts for money, often through prostitution or pornography.
• Labor Trafficking: Victims are forced to work in harsh conditions without pay, often in agriculture, construction or domestic work.
• Child Trafficking: Children are exploited for sex, labor or even illegal adoption.
• Organ Trafficking: People are trafficked for the illegal sale of their organs.
  Human trafficking can happen anywhere, to anyone. Be aware of high-risk locations like hotels, truck stops, bus stations, illicit massage parlors and adult entertainment establishments.

How to Recognize the Signs:

• Physical Indicators: Unexplained injuries, malnutrition, exhaustion, signs of sexual abuse.
• Behavioral Indicators: Fearful, withdrawn, avoids eye contact, seems controlled.
• Social Indicators: Isolated from friends and family, unable to speak freely, lacks ID documents.

What You Can Do If You Suspect Someone Is a Victim:

• Gather Details: Location, description of victim and trafficker, suspicious behavior.
• Report: If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 (or text "BeFree" at 233733).
• Provide Resources: Let the victim know help is available (see Resources below).

Resources:

Nancy J Cotterman Center (NJCC) Human Trafficking Unit – Offers services and advocates for survivors of human trafficking.
https://www.broward.org/NancyJCottermanCenter/Pages/HumanTrafficking.aspx

Polaris – A nonprofit organization focused on survivor-centered justice- and equality-driven movement to end human trafficking.
https://polarisproject.org/human-trafficking/
 
No More Tears - No More Tears' mission is to assist and empower victims of human trafficking and domestic violence.
https://www.nomoretearsusa.org/
 
FLITE Center – Assists law enforcement in housing survivors of human trafficking
https://flitecenter.org/

Women in Distress – Works with survivors in need of support and transformation for a better tomorrow.
https://widbroward.org/
 
211 Broward - 24-hour comprehensive helpline, providing all people with crisis, health and human services support, and connecting them to resources in our community.
Call or Text: 2-1-1

Additional Resource:

Shop Talk with the Sheriff Human Trafficking Podcast

Let's work together to end human trafficking. If you see something, say something!