Human Trafficking

Human trafficking takes many forms.  Whether labor trafficking or  the sex trade, human trafficking reduces human beings  to commodities, rather than sacred human persons.  According to the records of the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 479 cases of human trafficking involving 1034 victims have been reported in Nebraska  since 2007.   In 2021 alone, Nebraska recorded 57 cases involving 134 victims.  Most were teens and women aged 14-30.  Most of these victims were trafficked to the pornography industry and as sex workers.  Reports suggest that at least 40 high schoolers fall victim to human trafficking in Nebraska.  

As parents, where do we begin?    How do we protect our children?  How can we make a difference?

Begin by knowing the facts about human trafficking... 

• Human Trafficking is not a distant problem.   

This form of modern day slavery occurs in every US State and Territory.  A 2016 study published by Creighton University found in a single month more than 900 ads selling individuals for sex in Nebraska.  Many Nebraska communities were identified as hot spots for sex trafficking based on the number of online ads per capita.  (Creighton Human Trafficking Initiative).  According to I've Got A Name,  a Faith-Based advocacy group in Lincoln, 1 out of every 250 high school and middle school students in Nebraska enter the commercial sex trade each year and more than 600 Nebraska human services providers have identified sex trafficking victims younger than 17.

• Not All Trafficking Victims are "Missing Persons"

"Trafficking" refers to the buying and selling of human persons as commodities.  An individual can be used in this way by another person while still residing in their community, living with their family, attending school, etc...  

Human trafficking victims can be any age, race, gender identity, sex, ethnicity, nationality, immigration status, and socioeconomic class.  Causing anyone under the age of 18 to engage in a commercial sex act, regardless of using force, fraud, or coercion, is human trafficking under U.S. law (The Blue Campaign).

A young person in your own community / school / parish could be a victim of trafficking.   Watch for these signs (Shared Hope International) :

• Physical abuse such as burn marks, bruises or cuts

• Unexplained absences from class

• Sexualized behavior

• Overly tired in class

• Withdrawn, depressed, distracted or checked out

• Brags about making or having lots of money

• Less appropriately dressed than before or new expensive clothes, accessories or shoes

• New tattoo (tattoos are often used by pimps as a way to brand victims. Tattoos of a name, symbol of money or barcode could indicate trafficking)

• Older boyfriend or new friends with a different lifestyle

• Talks about wild parties or invites other students to attend parties

• Shows signs of gang affiliation (colors, notebook doodles of gang symbols, etc.)
   

• Human Trafficking extends beyond the sex trade.

Of the 40.3 million in modern slavery globally, the International Labour Organization estimates • 81% are trapped in forced labor • 25% are children • 75% are women and girls (The Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center).  

• 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?

• Help Exists.

There are numerous organizations across the state of Nebraska across the country and throughout the world dedicated to responding to reports of trafficking, providing healing and outreach to survivors, and implementing prevention efforts. 

If you observe indicators of Trafficking:

• Report  to the Homeland Security Investigations Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423 or www.ice.gov/tips.

• Get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 1-888-373-7888 or texting HELP or INFO to 233733 (BEFREE).  Chat the National Human Trafficking Hotline via humantraffickinghotline.org/chat.

• If you have information on goods produced with forced labor destined for importation into the United States, provide it to CBP at www.eallegations.cbp.gov and HSI at [email protected].

• Report missing children or child pornography to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678) or through their Cybertipline.

• If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911.

• The Catholic Church in the United States is involved in efforts to end Human Trafficking. 

Learn more about the Church's efforts at:

Catholic Relief Services