Out of the Shadows: Exposing the Myths of Human Trafficking

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There are plenty of myths about human trafficking — what it is, who can be trafficked, what happens to trafficked people.

Learn the truth about some common myths.

OUT OF THE SHADOWS: Exposing the Myths of Human Trafficking

MYTH: Human Trafficking is only sex trafficking

TRUTH: of the 20.9 million victims of human trafficking globally:

68% forced labor

22% sexually exploited

10% state-imposed forced labor

MYTH: Human Trafficking victims will self-identify

TRUTH: 50% of victims had contact with a health care professional, NONE were identified as a victim.

MYTH: Human Trafficking is not in my community

TRUTH: cases of potential human trafficking reported: 30,000+ in all 50 states, DC & US territories

MYTH: Human Trafficking only affects the victim

TRUTH: the crime of human trafficking is a symptom of a societal problem

HOW TO HELP:

Know where your goods & services come from

Offer opportunities for at-risk individuals

Report it: call the National Human Trafficking Hotline

MYTH: Human Trafficking only happens to children

TRUTH: Since 2012, National Hotline cases reported: 62% adults

MYTH: Human Trafficking only happens to women

TRUTH: since 2012, National Hotline cases reported: 18% men

Human Trafficking is a crime and you can make a difference.

Since 2007, the National Human Trafficking Hotline has received over 168,554 calls and identified over 26,243 potential cases of human trafficking. You can receive help, report a tip, or request information or training by calling:

National Human Trafficking Hotline 888-373-7888

acf.hhs.gov/endtrafficking

SOURCES

• ILO 2012 Global estimate of forced labour Executive summary. Accessed March 4, 2015.
• https://polarisproject.org/facts
• CNN. “The CNN Freedom Project.” Accessed March 4, 2015.
• National Human Trafficking Hotline Statistics 2012-2016, https://humantraffickinghotline.org/states
• https://www.acf.hhs.gov/otip/resource/publichealthlens