Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain labor or commercial sex against a person’s will. Twenty-eight million men, women, and children are victims of trafficking every year around the world.

Trafficking can happen to anyone and anywhere. It is happening in Blair County. Traffickers target vulnerabilities, including psychological or emotional vulnerabilities, economic hardship, and more.

Traffickers use social media apps and videogame chat parties to connect with and befriend minors. Parents should monitor their children’s use of all social media and online gaming platforms.

Adults and children may be vulnerable if they:

• Are in an unstable living situation, including group homes or foster care
• Have history of domestic violence and or sexual abuse
• Have substance abuse problem and/or mental health concerns and/or history of behavioral health problems
• Have a family member or caregiver who has a substance abuse problem
• Undocumented immigrants
• Are runaways
• Are involved in the juvenile justice system

Trafficking Red Flags may include, but are not limited to:

• New items such as clothing, jewelry, haircuts/styles, nails that otherwise would not be obtainable to that person
• Older friends or significant others
• Living with employer
• Poor living conditions and/or multiple people living in cramped spaces
• Inability to speak to individual alone
• Answers appear to be scripted and rehearsed
• Employer is holding identity documents
• Submissive or fearful
• Unpaid or paid very little
• Under 18 and in prostitution
• Tattoo and Branding

The trauma and threats caused by traffickers can be so great that many may not identify themselves as victims, seek help, or try to run away, even in highly public settings.

Trafficking Resources:

• Truckers Against Traffickers https://truckersagainsttrafficking.org/
• Polaris Project https://polarisproject.org/
• The Blue Campaign https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign

For more information or questions contact the Victim Services Program.