"Human trafficking is a public health and safety issue that impacts individuals, families, and communities around the world... Traffickers routinely target at-risk populations. Victims are often individuals who have experienced or been exposed to forms of violence, such as child abuse, maltreatment, interpersonal violence, sexual assault, and community and gang violence, or individuals that lack a stable support system, such as: runaway and homeless youth, unaccompanied minors, and persons displaced during natural disasters." (EndSexTrafficking.az.gov/).
Q: Are there different types of human trafficking?
A: Yes. People can be victims of Sex Trafficking (A.R.S. §13-1307) and/or Labor Trafficking (A.R.S. §13-1308).
Q: What is sex trafficking?
A: Sex trafficking is when person is recruited, harbored, transported, or obtained for the purpose of performing sexual acts for money by force, fraud, and/or coercion (A.R.S. §13-1307).
Q: What is labor trafficking?
A: Labor trafficking is when a person is recruited, harbored, transported, or obtained for the purpose of labor or services as involuntary servitude, debt, or slavery (A.R.S. §13-1308).
Q: What signs should I look out for to make sure people I know do not become victims of human trafficking?
A: Traffickers can take different forms and come in several disguises. Some act like loving boyfriends, constantly making promises about a better future for them and their victims, and showering them with love and gifts. Others might control through force and violence — both physical and emotional. Familial trafficking is when a family member or members sex and/or labor traffic their own families for personal gain.
“Runaways” with no stable living situation are more susceptible to trafficking than people who have a safe, reliable place to go every night. Traffickers often lure victims by offering to give or do something for them for free.
Traffickers recruit their victims in various ways.
- Places: Schools, parties, bus stops, shopping malls, shelters, and foster homes.
- Online: Social media platforms, chatrooms, and on video games (Brnovich, Human Trafficking, Page 12).
Q: What is the difference between smuggling and trafficking?
A: "Trafficking” means to entice, recruit, harbor, provide, transport, or otherwise obtain another person by deception, coercion, or force (A.R.S. §13-1308). While “Smuggling” is the illegal transportation or migration of people crossing international borders (A.R.S. §13-2319(F)(3)).
Q: How can I help someone who is being trafficked?
A: Report or share the following National Human Trafficking Hotline 24/7 Resources with your friend or loved ones:
- Call 1-888-373-7888
- Text HELP or INFO to "BeFree" (233733)
- Live Chat at HumanTraffickingHotline.org
- Email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Submit a report through the Online Reporting Form at https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/report-trafficking
- For immediate emergencies, call 911.
Q: Is there any aid for immigrants who are victims of trafficking?
A: Yes. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides three types of immigration relief in order to encourage victims to come forward and work with law enforcement: Continued Presence (CP), T Visas, and U Visas. Visit AZCrimeVictimHelp.org for additional information.
Laws may have changed since the last time this article was updated. The current and most up-to-date laws can be accessed here.