HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Noah Project offers crisis intervention services to anyone experiencing human trafficking, including:
- 24-hour hotline
- Safe shelter
- Outreach services for clients not in shelter
- Living essentials (hygiene items, clothing, etc.)
- Safety planning
- Crisis counseling
- Children's services
- Legal advocacy
What Is Human Trafficking?
Victims can be any age and are trafficked by anyone, including family members, extended relatives, friends, spouses and partners, as well as acquaintances and strangers. And traffickers often use physical or sexual violence to coerce their victims.
The United States Department of Justice classifies human trafficking into two major categories:
Sex Trafficking
Sex Trafficking is defined as using force, fraud, or coercion to involve a person in a commercial sex act, or involving anyone 17 or younger by any means.
Labor Trafficking
Labor trafficking is defined as using force, fraud, or coercion to involve a person in involuntary servitude, debt bondage, or slavery.
I Think I Know A Victim Of Human Trafficking
If you suspect that someone is a victim of human trafficking, look out for these signs and report them to your local police department.
Signs Of Physical Or Psychological Abuse
- Unexplained injuries
- Malnourishment
- Avoiding eye contact
- Fear
- Anxiousness
- Sudden change in mood
- Increased drug or alcohol use
Brandings, Markings, Or Tattoos
- Traffickers may use markings to identify people as property.
- Tattoos, such as bar codes or names, or other physical markings, may be present to identify who controls the victim.
Not In Control Of Finances Or ID Documents
- Traffickers restrict access to finances or identification as a means of power and control.
- People being trafficked may not be able to keep money they have received or display identification when asked.
Poor Work Or School Performance
- Unexplained absences from work or school
- Overly tired, withdrawn, or distracted at work or school
Controlling Relationships
- Traffickers instill fear in their victims and may not leave them alone for long periods of time or allow victims to speak for themselves.
- Persons being trafficked may refer to their trafficker as a romantic partner.
Expensive Gifts Or Items
- Persons being trafficked may be offered expensive gifts or gestures as rewards or incentives.
- Can also be a way to gain the victim's trust.