What Is Human Trafficking? Blue Campaign - Homeland Security

Indicators of Human Trafficking

Recognizing key indicators of human trafficking is the first step in identifying victims and can help save a life. Here are some common indicators to help recognize human trafficking:

• Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations, or houses of worship?
• Has a child stopped attending school?
• Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior?
• Is a juvenile engaged in commercial sex acts?
• Is the person disoriented or confused, or showing signs of mental or physical abuse?
• Does the person have bruises in various stages of healing?
• Is the person fearful, timid, or submissive?
• Does the person show signs of having been denied food, water, sleep, or medical care?
• Is the person often in the company of someone to whom he or she defers? Or someone who seems to be in control of the situation, e.g., where they go or who they talk to?
• Does the person appear to be coached on what to say?
• Is the person living in unsuitable conditions?
• Does the person lack personal possessions and appear not to have a stable living situation?
• Does the person have freedom of movement? Can the person freely leave where they live? Are there unreasonable security measures?

Not all indicators listed above are present in every human trafficking situation, and the presence or absence of any of the indicators is not necessarily proof of human trafficking.

To report suspected human trafficking:

1-866-347-2423

To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline:

1-888-373-7888

or text HELP or INFO to

BeFree (233733)

BLUE CAMPAIGN - Homeland Security March 2019

March 2019 For more information visit the Blue CampaignTo report suspected human trafficking: 1-866-347-2423To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733)

In this issue:  What’s New with Blue? BLI Corner News You Can Use Social Media Shareables What’s New with Blue? In Case You Missed It: Facebook Live on Reporting Human Trafficking Polaris and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) came together to discuss what happens when you report human trafficking during a Blue Campaign Facebook Live in February. Panelists covered what to expect when calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline, how tips are investigated, and how victims are supported in the process. Watch the full conversation here: http://bit.ly/2BQ4dQH. Human Trafficking 101 It’s always a good time to revisit the indicators of human trafficking. Please share this content in newsletters, on websites, or repurpose it for social media sharing. Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide – including right here in the United States. It can happen in any community and victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality. Traffickers might use violence, manipulation, or false promises of well-paying jobs or romantic relationships to lure victims into trafficking situations. Language barriers, fear of their traffickers, and/or fear of law enforcement frequently keep victims from seeking help, making human trafficking a hidden crime. You can help identify potential victims by learning the key indicators of trafficking. Some common indicators to look for include: PhysicalDoes the person... Show signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement, or torture? Appear to be deprived of food, water, sleep, medical care, or other necessities? Lack personal possessions? SocialDoes the person... Work excessively long and/or unusual hours? Show sudden or dramatic changes in behavior? Act fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous/paranoid? Defer to another person to speak for him or her? Appear to be coached on what to say? Appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations, or place of worship? Not have the ability to leave where they live freely? For more information about this heinous crime and how to help identify victims, check out our Human Trafficking 101 one-pager or the “What is Human Trafficking?" infographic. You can help raise awareness by sharing these resources online or displaying them in your office or community. View more Blue Campaign resources here. Thank you for joining us in the fight against human trafficking. BLI Corner The Blue Lightning Initiative (BLI), led by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Department of Transportation (DOT), is an element of Blue Campaign. BLI trains airline personnel to identify potential traffickers and human trafficking victims, and to report their suspicions to federal law enforcement. The “BLI Corner” section of our newsletter will contain updates and stories related to the aviation industry and human trafficking. BLI Hosts Stakeholder SummitBLI stakeholders recently met for a one-day summit to discuss the importance of human trafficking awareness and response training in the aviation industry. The summit attracted stakeholders from across the United States including air carriers, port authorities, industry associations, and law enforcement agencies. Speakers at the summit included representatives from Blue Campaign, DOT, CBP, DHS, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), Anchorage International Airport, Federal Aviation Administration, and a human trafficking survivor and advocate. To learn more about BLI and how you can play a role in combatting human trafficking, click here. Caption: Panelists answer questions regarding the role of their organizations in combating human trafficking at the BLI Stakeholder Summit (CBP Official Photo/Glenn Fawcett). News You Can Use Human-Trafficking Rings Stopped by Federal Authorities Increased by 20 Percent in Two Years (NBC Washington) A review of U.S. Justice Department data on trafficking cases initiated between 2015 and 2017 revealed a nearly 20 percent increase in the number of people charged with human trafficking by federal prosecutors during that period. Albert Pujols' Campaign Against Human Trafficking Inspires $500,000 Commitment From Major League Baseball and Players’ Association (Los Angeles Times) Major League Baseball player Albert Pujols and his wife launched a campaign against human trafficking two years ago. Major League Baseball and its players’ association recently joined the fight, announcing a $500,000 donation to charities focused on combating the crime. Health Professionals Learn How to Notice and Treat Victims of Human Trafficking(KRTV) The America Unchained Project, in collaboration with the Montana Department of Justice, recently trained health care workers in Helena on how to notice and treat human trafficking victims. Nearly 88 percent of human trafficking victims will see a medical provider when they are in captivity, making it essential for health care workers to know the physical and verbal indicators of a trafficking victim, America Unchained Project founder Charity Perenzini told the group. Project PA | 60 Percent of Sex, Human Trafficking Victims Once Involved in Foster Care System (CBS 21) Several nationwide studies show as many as 60 percent of sex and human trafficking victims in the United States were once in foster care. CBS21 News takes a look at the numbers and how they relate to victims in Pennsylvania for Project PA: Children in Crisis. Social Media Shareables Blue Campaign can now be tagged on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using @DHSBlueCampaign. Each month we will share content you can distribute on your own social channels to raise awareness of human trafficking in your communities. Who are the victims of #humantrafficking? Who is at risk? Learn these answers and more from @DHSBlueCampaign: http://bit.ly/2GEcbAj Check out this infographic from @DHSBlueCampaign to learn more about the different types of #humantrafficking: http://bit.ly/2U48qam Learn the indicators of #humantrafficking and the differences between trafficking and smuggling with this pocket-sized card from @DHSBlueCampaign: http://bit.ly/2NlSZrD ICYMI: @DHSBlueCampaign @Polaris_Project @ICEgov discussed what happens when you report a #humantrafficking tip. Watch here: http://bit.ly/2BQ4dQH For more information visit the Blue CampaignTo report suspected human trafficking: 1-866-347-2423To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733)

DHS Blue Campaign Announces Partnership with United Airlines

On December 7, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new industry partnership between the DHS Blue Campaign – the unified voice for DHS’s efforts to combat human trafficking – and United Airlines.

“The Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign is excited about its partnership with United Airlines. United has a robust human trafficking awareness training program and will be a leader in the airline industry’s efforts to combat human trafficking. Together, the Blue Campaign and United Airlines will share their resources and begin an endeavor to identify and alleviate the terrible toll of human trafficking,” said Trent Frazier, Executive Director of DHS Campaigns.

Through this partnership, the Blue Campaign will co-brand its awareness materials with United Airlines. These materials will further support United Airlines employee training, which empowers them to recognize indicators of human trafficking and report suspected cases. The Blue Campaign will also facilitate other types of outreach to educate United Airlines’ employees, including its crew members, about human trafficking. 

“At United, safety is our top priority,” said Steve Morrissey, United’s vice president, regulatory and policy. “Partnering with the Department of Homeland Security and combining our collective resources further underscores our commitment to safety and strengthens our determination to recognize and report instances of human trafficking.”

The Blue Campaign leverages its partnerships with state and local governments, the private sector, and others, to protect the basic right of freedom and to bring those who exploit human lives to justice. As with other public-facing industries, the Blue Campaign looks forward to collaborating with United Airlines to combat human trafficking.

For more information about the Blue Campaign, click here.

To report suspected human trafficking:

1-866-347-2423

To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline:

1-888-373-7888

or text HELP or INFO to

BeFree (233733)

What’s New with Blue? - Blue Campaign - Homeland Security

August 2018 Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. In this issue:  Power of Partners What’s New with Blue? News You Can Use Social Media Shareables Power of Partners U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Blue Campaign continuously works to provide new human trafficking awareness resources to help the public recognize and report the crime. We want to acknowledge the vital role the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Document Management Division plays in our education and awareness efforts. USCIS manages the storage and distribution of Blue Campaign resources, which allows us to send these materials nationwide to organizations working to raise human trafficking awareness. Thank you, USCIS! DOT Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking: Call for NominationsU.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is seeking nominations for membership in an advisory committee on human trafficking. The advisory committee will provide information, advice, and recommendations on matters relating to human trafficking, and develop recommended best practices for states and state and local transportation stakeholders in combating human trafficking.  Applications must be received on or before 5:00 p.m. ET on August 20, 2018; however, candidates are encouraged to submit an application any time before the deadline. View the Federal Register Notice for further details. For questions, contact trafficking@dot.gov. Visit Blue Campaign’s website to learn how you can raise awareness of human trafficking. What’s New with Blue? Upcoming Event: Labor Trafficking Twitter Chat Did you know there are different forms of forced labor, to include domestic servitude? Did you know some of the goods and products you buy could be made by labor trafficking victims? Join Blue Campaign on Wednesday, August 15th at 2pm EDT for a public Twitter chat conversation on labor trafficking. Blue Campaign, Ayuda, and Polaris Project will be discussing what labor trafficking is, what goods are produced by this awful crime, and how to recognize and report it. To follow along and participate, follow@DHSBlueCampaign and use the hashtag #AskBlue on Twitter. In Case You Missed It: Combatting Human Trafficking in Reno Blue Campaign hosted a panel of local stakeholders in Reno, Nevada to discuss the city’s efforts to combat human trafficking and support victims. The discussion was moderated by Blue Campaign’s Senior Training Advisor from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC). The panel included a legislative advocate and human trafficking survivor, a local Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent, and representatives from Renown Health and the Reno Police Department. The panelists shared human trafficking trends they are seeing in the Reno area, including an increase in adolescent victims. They highlighted efforts to train frontline employees and establish community collaborations to identify and support victims. For more information on this event, read the KTVN article in the “News You Can Use” section below. Blue Campaign hosted a panel discussion in Reno, Nevada about the area’s anti-human trafficking efforts. Law Enforcement Webinars Now Available We’ve added two new webinars for law enforcement professionals to our website. The first webinar explores how human trafficking uniquely impacts Native Americans. Scott Santoro, Blue Campaign’s Senior Training Advisor from FLETC, and Jeri Moomaw, Executive Director of Innovation Human Trafficking Collaborative, cover ways law enforcement professionals can better recognize and respond to Native American victims. In our second webinar, Scott Santoro is joined by Dr. Paulette Hubbert, Unit Chief for the Victim Assistance Program at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to discuss the effects of trauma on victims’ memories. They offer tips on how to avoid retraumatizing victims and other strategies to effectively interview trauma victims. Both webinars can be viewed here. News You Can Use Combating Local Human Trafficking (KTVN) Blue Campaign hosted a panel discussion in Reno, Nevada with local stakeholders to highlight the city’s efforts to combat human trafficking.  Gov. Northam Signs Bill to Help Keep Human Trafficking Suspects from Getting out on Bail (Virginia Pilot) Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia signed a bill that will keep human trafficking suspects from getting bond soon after they are arrested.  US, Mexican Authorities to Track Human Trafficking Victims with Facial Recognition (FindBiometrics.com) Attorneys General from the U.S. and Mexico unveiled a new facial recognition system designed to track victims of human trafficking. Vermont AG, U.S. Attorney to Fight Human Trafficking (WCAX) The Vermont attorney general's office and the United States attorney for the state have formalized a plan to work together to fight human trafficking by creating the Vermont Human Trafficking Task Force. Social Media Shareables Each month we will share Twitter and Facebook content you can distribute on your own channels to raise awareness of human trafficking in your communities. Remember to tag us on Facebook using @BlueCampaign and on Twitter with @DHSBlueCampaign. Twitter: ICYMI: @DHSBlueCampaign hosted a Facebook Live panel discussion on #humantrafficking and summer travel. Check it out here: http://bit.ly/2tsXJlU Did you know @DHSBlueCampaign has dozens of free human trafficking resources? Check out what is available and join the fight to #endtrafficking: http://bit.ly/2tGD91c What is human trafficking? Follow @DHSBlueCampaign to stay informed and see what you can do to #endtrafficking. Visit Blue Campaign’s website to learn more. http://bit.ly/2K7ATvb FACT: #Humantrafficking is not just sex trafficking. Learn more about the other types of trafficking from @DHSBlueCampaign:http://bit.ly/2KjLItd Facebook: @BlueCampaign hosted a webinar for law enforcement on combatting #humantrafficking in tribal communities. You can view it here: http://bit.ly/2LDyQis Law enforcement professionals can watch this webinar from @BlueCampaign on interviewing trauma victims: http://bit.ly/2LDyQis Follow @BlueCampaign on Facebook and Twitter (@DHSBlueCampaign) for the most up-to-date #humantrafficking awareness information and resources Do you know what @BlueCampaign does to combat #humantrafficking? Learn more about its efforts here: http://bit.ly/2mJyA3d For more information visit the Blue CampaignTo report suspected human trafficking: 1-866-347-2423To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733)   Visit the Blue Campaign                                                    Like us on Facebook

---

U.S. Department of Homeland Security · www.dhs.gov · 202-282-8000