Human trafficking -- also known as "trafficking in persons" -- is believed to be one of the fastest-growing criminal industries in the world. Human trafficking involves the recruiting, harboring, transporting, providing, or obtaining of people for the purpose of various forms of exploitation. Victims are often controlled through force, fraud, or coercion. While it is commonly thought that human trafficking is the smuggling or movement of people, in fact, the crime involves exploitation and control. Victims of human trafficking can be men or women, adults or children, and U.S. citizens or foreign-born immigrants.
Human trafficking can be difficult to recognize. Human trafficking victims may be forced to work as prostitutes, domestic workers, landscapers, in restaurants and bars, as forced panhandlers, in cleaning and janitorial jobs, in nail salons, or in other roles.
Human trafficking is a complex and often misunderstood issue requiring detailed explanation. Information about human trafficking is often inaccurate, incomplete, and confusing. The following links to the Polaris Project provide an overview of myths and misconceptions associated with human trafficking and the various psychological and physical factors that prevent victims from escaping trafficking situations:
Learn about common myths and misconceptions (in PDF)
Learn about understanding victim's mindsets (in PDF)