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Human Trafficking FAQ

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Myth: Human trafficking is another word for human smuggling.
Reality: Smuggling and trafficking are two different crimes. Both are Federal crimes in the United States. While smuggling requires illegal border crossing, trafficking may not. Human trafficking involves commercial sex acts or labor or services that are induced through force, fraud, or coercion.
Myth: Real victims of trafficking will ask for help or assistance and willingly self-identify as a victim of a crime.
Reality: Victims of trafficking often do not immediately seek help or admit to being victims of a crime, due to mistrust of law enforcement, fear of physical harm coming to themselves or family members, self-blame, or training by the traffickers. As with any case of mental, emotional and/or physical abuse, trust takes time to develop. Continued trust-building and patient interviewing is often required before authorities, care givers, etc. can get the whole story.

What are the common methods of trafficking?

  • physical force
  • coercion (debt relief for family, job, marriage, etc.)
  • physical and emotional abuse
  • threats against self and family
  • passport theft
Myth: Sex trafficking is the only form of human trafficking.
Reality: Commercial sex trafficking is one form of trafficking, but trafficking also includes cases of forced labor or services. Although a majority of the individuals trafficked in the U.S. are female, trafficking can take place among males, females, adults and children.

[FAQ from Polaris Project]

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