WHAT IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING?
This presentation is an informational resource intended to raise awareness with the goal of preventing human trafficking in Nebraska. It is not intended to provide a full legal or other description of human trafficking.
What is human trafficking?
What is human trafficking? Human trafficking is modern day slavery
Labor Trafficking
Sex Trafficking
What is sex trafficking? Helping to sell or trying to buy a sex act with a person
without that person’s consent or
when that person is under 18 years old
What is labor trafficking? • Trying to get a person to do forced labor or services. • Labor or services are forced when obtained through • Physical force or restraint • Abuse of legal system, especially immigration • Controlling a person’s access to drugs • Exploiting a person’s functional or mental impairment • Threat of financial harm (debt bondage)
How does it happen? Force
• Abuse: sexual, physical, verbal, emotional • Threats to victim, family, friends
Fraud
Coercion
• Pretends to be friend, significant other
• Targets vulnerabilities
• Promises money, luxury goods, etc.
• Financial • Psychological
What do traffickers look like?
What do traffickers look like?
What are trafficker “disguises”? Pretender
Provider
Punisher
Pretends to be someone they are not, such as a boyfriend
Offers to take care of needs
Uses violence and threats to control
Promiser
Protector
Promises great things, often tailored to the victim’s dreams
Offers to protect the victim, but use their power to control them
Adapted from iEmpathize's Empower Youth Program (Brad Riley)
What are traffickers like?
Traffickers may seem normal. They might…
Traffickers may also…
• Give gifts
• Isolate you from family and friends
• Appear friendly
• Be abusive
• Offer a dream job, such as modeling
• Force you to use drugs
• Make you think they want to date you
• Insist you pay them back for gifts by selling yourself
• Offer items that you can’t afford
Where do traffickers look for victims?
You could meet a trafficker anywhere. • • • • • •
Parties Malls Schools Libraries Work Online
How do traffickers target you online? Traffickers use popular social media platforms, such as:
Traffickers may… • Ask for info about you and your family • Have accounts that seem authentic • May tailor their account to match your interests • Seem sympathetic • Offer a better job
How can I stay safe online & in the world? Ways to stay safe: • Keep social media profiles private • Only friend people you know • Be wary of job offers – investigate them • Disable “location services” on phone & apps • Tell an adult if a user won’t stop contacting you or asking inappropriate requests • Be careful what you post
What are the signs of trafficking?
What are the signs of trafficking?
Talk of older friend, boyfriend/girlfriend
Sudden expensive items or gifts
Running away from home
Unexplained school absences
Multiple cellphones
Large amounts of cash
Unusual tattoos
Reference traveling to other cites
Others signs of trafficking victims • Cell phone and ID controlled by others • Signs of physical injury • Inappropriately dressed • Malnutrition • Changes in appearance/behavior: depression, fear, anxiety, nervousness
Combating trafficking in Nebraska
NHTTF Goals Find
Stop
Recognize
We find human trafficking through targeted investigations, proactive operations, data analysis, and communication among task force partners.
We stop traffickers through arrest and prosecution, forfeiture of assets used in human trafficking, dismantling any human trafficking enterprise, and otherwise combating trafficking.
We recognize victims and survivors through a trauma-informed approach and referrals to trauma-informed, client-centered services.
Combating Human Trafficking in Nebraska Through Training & Community Education
What can you do? • Learn the signs. If you see something suspicious, report it to 833-PLS-LOOK (833-757-5665) • In case of an emergency, please call 911 immediately. If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call the hotline below: 24 Hour National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888 or Text “Help” to 233733 Visit ago.nebraska.gov/get-involved-1 for more ideas on how to get involved
This presentation was provided courtesy of the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office. For more information, visit AGO.Nebraska.gov.