Human Trafficking

What is Human Trafficking?

Human Trafficking is defined as the recruitment transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons by:

• Means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, or deception
• The abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability
• The giving or receiving of payments or benefits
• The person having control over anther person, for the purpose of exploitation through various forms of sexual abuse

*Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery, and is widespread throughout the United States today. It is the second largest criminal industry in the world, and it is the fastest growing. According to the latest National Human Trafficking Resource Center Statistics, provided by Polaris Project, on human trafficking, between 2007 and 2015 there were 25,696 cases of Human Trafficking victims, of that number 15,724 were adults and 7,768 were minors. There were 20,673 female survivors, 3,487 male survivors and 200 gender minorities.

Who To Contact:

If you believe someone is or has been victimized by Human Trafficking you can can contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888.373.7888, text BeFree (233733) or visit https://polarisproject.org. This hotline can assist with more information to aid victims of Human Trafficking and will identify local resources available in your community. For Merced County you can contact Valley Crisis Center directly at 209.725.7900 or for 24 hour services you can call 209.722.4357 for more information and resources available.

If you believe someone is or has been a victim of Labor Trafficking you can contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888.373.7888, text BeFree (233733) or visit https://polarisproject.org.

Additional Resources:

Child Protective Services: 209.385.3104 or 1.800.422.4453

If you or someone you know is in an Emergency Situation, call 911 immediately.