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Content Warning: This page contains information about Human Trafficking that may be difficult to read or sensitive for some individuals. You can use the Escape buttons to exit the page to google. On a computer, you can also use CTRL+W or Command +W to close the tab.
Disclaimer: These resources are curated using information and links from a variety of local and national organizations. Any advertisements associated with these links may not be approved by the district. This information is not meant to diagnose or treat any medical condition.
Most of the information on this page is pulled from the organizations below. For more in-depth information on human trafficking, please visit their websites:
Polaris: polarisproject.org
Human Trafficking Hotline: humantraffickinghotline.org
Iowa Victim Service Call Center: survivorshelpline.org
Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery (NAHT): iowanaht.org
Hotlines
Hotlines
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Call: 1-888-373-7888
Text: HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733)
Call: 800-770-1650
Text: “iowahelp” to 20121
DHS Child Abuse Reporting Hotline: 1-800-362-2178
What is Human Trafficking?
What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is the business of stealing freedom for profit. It is a modern-day form of slavery. In some cases, traffickers trick, defraud, or physically force victims into selling sex. In others, victims are lied to, assaulted, threatened, or manipulated into working under inhumane, illegal, or otherwise unacceptable conditions. It is a multi-billion dollar criminal industry that denies freedom to 24.9 million people around the world.
Human Trafficking is a crime that involves exploiting a person for labor, services, or commercial sex.
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and its subsequent reauthorizations define human trafficking as:
a) Sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age; or
b) 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. (22 U.S.C. § 7102(9)).
From humantraffickinghotline.org:
The Action-Means-Purpose (AMP) Model can be helpful in understanding the federal law. Human trafficking occurs when a perpetrator, often referred to as a trafficker, takes an Action, and then employs the Means of force, fraud, or coercion for the Purpose of compelling the victim to provide commercial sex acts or labor or services. At a minimum, one element from each column must be present to establish a potential situation of human trafficking.
Child Trafficking in Iowa
Child Trafficking in Iowa
See the 2021 Report Card by Shared Hope to learn about how Iowa is doing to stop child trafficking. For more in-depth information, visit reportcards.sharedhope.org/iowa/
2021-State-Report-Card-IA.pdfWho is most vulnerable?
Who is most vulnerable?
While human trafficking can happen to anyone, there are some populations that are more vulnerable. Generational trauma, historic oppression, discrimination, and other societal factors and inequities create community-wide vulnerabilities that traffickers recognize and take advantage of. Evidence suggests that people of color and LGBTQ+ people are more likely to experience trafficking than other demographic groups.
People may be vulnerable to trafficking if they:
Have an unstable living situation
Have previously experienced other forms of violence such as sexual abuse or domestic violence
Have run away or are involved in the juvenile justice or child welfare system
Are undocumented immigrants
Are facing poverty or economic need
Have a caregiver or family member who has a substance use issue
Are addicted to drugs or alcohol
(from humantraffickinghotline.org)
Traffickers are able to recruit victims through various grooming methods. Continue reading to learn about the various red flags and potential scenarios that are signs of trafficking, and ways to prevent it or help victims. For information about Grooming specifically, visit RAINN.org.
Different types of Human Trafficking
Different types of Human Trafficking
For myths, examples, real stories, training, and more, please visit polarisproject.org.
Labor Trafficking
Labor Trafficking
Labor trafficking occurs when an employer uses coercion, threats, or lies to force a victim to work. Common industries where labor trafficking is present include agriculture, cleaning or nanny services, restaurants, and carnivals.
To lure in victims, labor traffickers may make false promises, such as high pay, education opportunities, or great benefits. Employers maintain control with physical and psychological abuse. They make victims believe the only choice is to continue working for them.
(from survivorshelpline.org)
Common Labor Trafficking Red Flags
Common Labor Trafficking Red Flags
Feel pressured by their employer to stay in a job or situation they want to leave
Owe money to an employer or recruiter and/or not being paid what they were promised or are owed
Do not have control of their passport or other identity documents
Are living and working in isolated conditions, largely cut off from interaction with others or support systems
Appear to be monitored by another person when talking or interacting with others
Are living in dangerous, overcrowded or inhumane conditions provided by an employer
Are being threatened by their boss with deportation or other harm
Are working in dangerous conditions, without proper safety gear, training, adequate breaks and other protections
(from polarisproject.org)
Sex Trafficking
Sex Trafficking
Sex trafficking is the crime of using force, fraud, or coercion to induce another individual to sell sex. Common types include escort services, pornography, illicit massage businesses, brothels, and outdoor solicitation. Anyone selling sex who is under 18 is legally a trafficking victim. - (from polarisproject.org)
Contrary to what many people think, most victims are not kidnapped. Rather, traffickers lie and use manipulation to get their victims to enter the trade. Traffickers target victims and build trust, before luring them into the sex industry. Then they use violence, threats, false promises, or other forms of control to keep their victims trapped. - (from survivorshelpline.org)
Common Sex Trafficking Red Flags
Common Sex Trafficking Red Flags
They want to stop participating in selling or trading sex but feel scared or unable to leave
They disclose that they were reluctant to engage in selling sex but that someone pressured them into it
They live where they work or are transported by guards between home and workplace
They are children who live with or are supported by or dependent on a family member with a substance abuse problem or who is abusive in other ways
They have a pimp or manager in the sex trade
They work in an industry where it may be common to be pressured into performing sex acts for money, such as a strip club, illicit cantina, go-go bar, or illicit massage business
They have an older, or simply controlling parent, guardian, romantic partner or “sponsor” who will not allow you to meet or speak with the person alone or monitors their movements, spending and/or communications
(from polarisproject.org)
Child Trafficking
Child Trafficking
(from strong4life.com)
Child sex trafficking is the sexual abuse of a child in exchange for something of value—with or without a third party, such as a trafficker or “pimp.” Most children who are trafficked know and trust the person who exploits them.
Here are a few examples of ways children are lured into being trafficked:
A child believes they are in a romantic relationship, and their “partner” convinces them to engage in sexual acts with “friends” to help pay for gas, rent, etc.
A child receives a message on social media complimenting them and offering them money to submit risque photos for a modeling job.
A child is invited to attend a party to “make quick money.”
Who and what to look out for
Who and what to look out for
Parents and caregivers:
Watch out for anyone who doesn’t respect your child’s boundaries or pushes your child to engage in risky behaviors.
Watch out for older peers or adults trying to build a relationship with your child by messaging them or spending time alone with them.
Monitor your child’s social media use.
Teach your child body safety.
Help your child identify safe adults they can reach out to whenever they can’t (or won’t) talk to you.
Recognizing the Signs
Recognizing the Signs
How traffickers lure people in
How traffickers lure people in
Traffickers like to use stories as a recruitment tactic, often sharing tales of good opportunities and hope. Sometimes, the stories themselves raise red flags. Other times, traffickers may raise red flags during recruitment.
Here are a few situations that might raise concerns:
A would-be employer refuses to give workers a signed contract or asks them to sign a contract in a language they can’t read.
A would-be employer collects fees from a potential worker for the “opportunity” to work in a particular job.
A friend, family member, co-worker, or student is newly showered with gifts or money or otherwise becomes involved in an overwhelming, fast-moving, and asymmetric (e.g., large difference in age or financial status) romantic relationship.
A friend, family member, or student is a frequent runaway and may be staying with someone who is not their parent or guardian.
A family member, friend, co-worker, or student is developing a relationship that seems too close with someone they know solely on social media.
A family member, friend, or student lives with a parent or guardian and shows signs of abuse.
A family member, friend, or co-worker is offered a job opportunity that seems too good to be true.
A family member, friend, or co-worker is recruited for an opportunity that requires them to move far away, but their recruiter or prospective employer avoids answering their questions or is reluctant to provide detailed information about the job.
(from humantraffickinghotline.org)
Potential signs a child is being trafficked
Potential signs a child is being trafficked
If your child, or a child you know, suddenly shows any of the following red flags, it could be a sign of human trafficking:
Showing up with belongings or items they would not normally be able to afford on their own (e.g., new clothes, cell phone, etc.)
Being secretive about who they are spending time with
Sleeping a lot in school or during the day
Talking about working late shifts or being unable to take breaks or leave their “jobs”
Talking about how they cannot leave a work situation out of fear, due to debt, etc.
Increased isolation from a previous friend group
Spending more time with an older boyfriend/girlfriend or with a new, riskier friend group
Unexplained changes in behavior or attitude (increased mood swings, aggressive behavior, etc.)
Running away from home, not coming home overnight
New or increased use of drugs or alcohol
Unexplained change in interest in activities they would regularly enjoy or attend (e.g., team sports, attending school-related events, etc.)
(from strong4life.com)
How you can help
How you can help
Prevention
Prevention
Teach kids and teenagers about healthy boundaries and how to enforce them.
Say "NO" when boundaries are crossed (from westandguard.com):
Saying "NO!" is a boundary or limit to stay safe. Use a firm or important voice to say "NO" or your loudest voice and yell "NO!"
Your job is to TELL a trusted grown-up right away, no matter who is trying the unsafe touch. Keep telling until someone believes you.
Telling is not tattling. You will not get in trouble.
If this is happening to a friend, TELL a trusted grown-up and keep telling until in stops.
Always remember, it is never your fault!
Understand physical boundaries, e.g. their personal bubble. They should know when touch is unsafe or not ok.
Know red and green flags that determine when a relationship is healthy or not. (see the Domestic/Sexual Violence page)
Internet safety to prevent trafficking/grooming from happening online. You can learn more at internetmatters.org
Kids need safe, trusting, and responsible adults to be their role models and their go-to in case of emergency. (from strong4life.com)
Engage in open and honest communication and remain nonjudgmental when kids share their thoughts and feelings. A child may not share information with you if they think they are going to be judged for their behavior.
Remind kids that you are always a safe person to talk to. Let kids know they won’t be in trouble if they come to you when they are afraid or because someone else is pressuring them to do something they don’t want to do. Fear of punishment may keep kids or teens from talking to their parents in any situation.
Have proactive conversations about safety planning to help kids and teens feel more prepared when they find themselves in risky situations.
Openly discuss safe behaviors online and in real life. Consider setting up a family media contract where everyone in the house follows the same rules, such as no phone at the dinner table, no computer time after 9 p.m. or no screens in the bedroom.
Remind kids that, just like they shouldn’t go with a stranger at the mall, they shouldn’t be “friends” with strangers online, either—even if they appear to be close to their age.
Try to familiarize yourself with the social media and internet platforms your children use, and make sure you know all their usernames and passwords for safety. Using the internet or a cellphone is a privilege, not a right.
Helping Victims
Helping Victims
Child Trafficking is child abuse. If a child discloses to you they are being trafficked, or you suspect they are, you can report it to the Department of Human Services. You can also contact any of the hotlines to find out what you can do next to help.
DHS Child Abuse Reporting Hotline: 1-800-362-2178
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Call: 1-888-373-7888
Text: HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733)
Call: 800-770-1650
Text: “iowahelp” to 20121
Training
Training
You can take various trainings to learn more on how you can help stop human trafficking
Polaris: polarisproject.org/training
"Take a free introductory course, Human Trafficking 101, to learn what human trafficking really is, how it happens, and how you can be part of the solution.
Polaris’s interactive, online training program includes six short modules, as well as survivor stories, and quizzes designed to deepen your understanding of the issue."
Ending the Game: Become an ETG Supporter
"The ETG Supporter Training is for people who interact with survivors of commercial sexual exploitation in any capacity, from general staff to volunteers to family members of survivors.
The 8-hour course will provide a broad overview of best practices for supporting sex trafficking victims and a focused look at supporting coercion resiliency.
Topics include domestic sex trafficking facts and statistics, “the game” (trafficking subculture), the breaking process, psychological coercion, dual identity, recidivism, language sensitivity, and how to support a survivors’ true self."
Help victims or potential victims through Ending the Game: endingthegame.com
"Ending The Game© (ETG) is a coercion resiliency curriculum that reduces feelings of attachment to traffickers and/or a lifestyle characterized by commercial sexual exploitation, thereby reducing the rate of recidivism among sex trafficking survivors.
Ending The Game is designed to educate and empower survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking by providing a structure and framework to uncover harmful psychological coercion (a.k.a. “The Game”) that victims may have been subjected to during or before their exploitation experience."
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