Note that youth experiencing homelessness are especially vulnerable to trafficking.
Trafficking in persons includes:
- Labor Trafficking — Individuals are compelled to work or provide services through the use of force, fraud, or coercion.
- Sex Trafficking — Individuals are compelled to engage in commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. When a person under 18 years old is induced to perform a commercial sex act, it is a crime regardless of whether there is any force, fraud, or coercion.
Contact
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking and is in immediate danger, call 911 first. If you or the other individual is not in imminent danger, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
- Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
- Text: INFO or HELP to BeFree (2333733)
Virginia Resources
There are several Virginia resources available to help identify human trafficking and respond appropriately. The resources below include specific signs to watch for when preventing and identifying trafficking, curriculum and training for school administrators and staff, and helpful fact sheets and resources.
- Virginia Department of Education: Human Trafficking Information
- Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services: Human Trafficking
Federal Resources
There are several federal resources that highlight strategies, policies, and programs available to help combat human trafficking.
- Office on Human Trafficking
- U.S. Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: Human Trafficking Questions and Answers
- Responding to Youth Homelessness: A Key Strategy for Preventing Human Trafficking
Other Resources
- Polaris Project – The Polaris Project is a nonprofit organization that responds to human trafficking as it happens and is creating a survivor-centered and equity-driven anti-trafficking movement.
- Courtney’s House – Courtney’s House raises awareness around sex trafficking, seeks out trafficking victims, and connects them to holistic supports.