U.S. flag
        An official website of the United States government
          Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you knowGovernment Website**Official websites use .gov**
              
                              A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
        Safely connect using HTTPS**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
              
              A **lock**
                (A locked padlock)
                or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.  
 Menu

      close
        
                            Enter Search Term
                Search
      What Is Human Trafficking?
      
                
  
          What Is Human Trafficking?


      
        What Is Human Trafficking?
    
    
              What is Forced Labor?
      
    
              Identify a Victim
      
    
              Myths and Misconceptions
      
    
              Exploitation and How to Protect Yourself
      
    
              Tools That Teach
      
    
              How You Can Help
      
                
  
          How You Can Help


      
        How You Can Help
    
    
              Work With Us
      
    
              Industry Professionals
      
    
              Law Enforcement
      
    
              Report Human Trafficking
      
    
              Student and Community Leaders
      
    
              Tackle Human Trafficking
      
    
              Resources
      
                
  
          Resources


      
        Resources
    
    
              Airport Resources
      
    
              Blue Campaign Newsletters
      
    
              Document Library
      
    
              Request Materials
      
    
              Resources Available for Victims
      
    
              Training
      
                
  
          Training


      
        Training
    
    
              Blue Campaign Changes Course
      
    
              Blue Campaign Choices Course
      
    
              Blue Campaign Consequences Training
      
    
              Campus Law Enforcement Training
      
    
              Continued Presence Awareness Training
      
    
              Convenience Retail Employee Training
      
    
              Disaster Responder Training (FEMA)
      
    
              First Responder Training (FEMA)
      
    
              Gender-Based Violence Awareness Course
      
    
              General Public Indicators Training Course
      
    
              Law Enforcement Awareness Training
      
    
              Youth Professional and Caretaker Training
      
    
              Awareness Videos
      
    
              About Blue Campaign
      
                
  
          About Blue Campaign


      
        About Blue Campaign
    
    
              #WearBlueDay
      
    
              Special Initiatives
      
                
  
          Special Initiatives


      
        Special Initiatives
    
    
              Uniting for Ukraine
      
    
              Operation Allies Welcome
      
    
              Blue Campaign Special Initiatives Resources
      
    
              Upcoming Events Breadcrumb
Blue Campaign
  Training
  Blue Campaign Consequences Training

     What Is Human Trafficking?
                
                    
      
      How You Can Help
                
                    
      
      Resources
                
                    
                    
      Training
                
      Blue Campaign Changes Course
                
                    
      
      Blue Campaign Choices Course
                
                    
                    
      Blue Campaign Consequences Training
                
                    
      
      Campus Law Enforcement Training
                
                    
      
      Continued Presence Awareness Training
                
                    
      
      Convenience Retail Employee Training
                
                    
      
      Disaster Responder Training (FEMA)
                
                    
      
      First Responder Training (FEMA)
                
                    
      
      Gender-Based Violence Awareness Course
                
                    
      
      General Public Indicators Training Course
                
                    
      
      Law Enforcement Awareness Training
                
                    
      
      Youth Professional and Caretaker Training
                
                    
      
      Awareness VideosAbout Blue Campaign
                
                    
      
      Special Initiatives
                
                    
      
      Upcoming EventsBlue Campaign Consequences Training
Human trafficking can occur anywhere. Traffickers can be any race, ethnicity, or social status, but they prey on people in difficult situations. You are going to view a series of 4 videos and images of real cases that have occurred in the United States. Walking through these scenarios will strengthen your ability to identify the crimes of human trafficking and recognize that there are serious consequences for these crimes under the law. How well do you think you know the consequences that traffickers face? Let’s find out! Before you start, take a quick look at the federal statutes against human trafficking and the flow chart that provides a glimpse on the consequences imposed on those convicted of these heinous crimes. Make a mental note of how different human trafficking crimes might yield similar or different consequences for the trafficker. When you have finished reviewing the information below, click next to continue to the videos.

Next
      
      What does the law say?
      Human trafficking crimes are defined in Title 18, Chapter 77 of the United States Criminal Code and include the following: (https://www.justice.gov/crt/human-trafficking-prosecution-unit-htpu)

18 U.S.C. § 1581 (Peonage)
	18 U.S.C. § 1584 (Involuntary Servitude)
	18 U.S.C. § 1589 (Forced Labor)
	18 U.S.C. § 1590 (Trafficking with Respect to Peonage, Slavery, Involuntary Servitude, or Forced Labor)
	18 U.S.C. § 1591 (Sex Trafficking of Children or by Force, Fraud, or Coercion)
	18 U.S.C. § 1592 (Unlawful Conduct with Respect to Documents in Furtherance of Trafficking, Peonage, Slavery, Involuntary Servitude, or Forced Labor)
	18 U.S.C. § 1593 (Mandatory Restitution)
	18 U.S.C. § 1594 (Attempt and Forfeiture)
	18 U.S.C. § 1595 (Private Right of Action)
	18 U.S.C. § 2423 (Transportation of Minors into Prostitution)These statutes are rooted in the prohibition against slavery and involuntary servitude guaranteed by the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”
              Consequences Flow chart
      Human Trafficking is a FEDERAL crime. By law, persons who commit labor or sex trafficking crimes are subject to certain penalties. Use this flowchart to learn more.

Does the person appear to be the victim of sex trafficking or labor trafficking? Choice 1: Labor Trafficking: Is the person being forced to work for little or no pay? Choice 2: Sex Trafficking: Is the person being forced to engage in sexual act for money or favors, or fearful or being threatened if he or she refuses to engage in such activity? If NO: The person may be a victim of a different crime, so contact law enforcement if you have concerns. If YES: Was the victim a minor or an adult? Minor under the age of 14: Fine and/or 15 years to life in prison. Minor over the age of 14: Fine and/or 10 years to life in prison. Adult: Fines and/or a 20 year prison term. Additionally, the perpetrator will pay restitution to the victim for the full amount of their losses as determined by the court.Does the person appear to be the victim of sex trafficking or labor trafficking? Choice 1: Labor Trafficking: Is the person being forced to work for little or no pay? Choice 2: Sex Trafficking: Is the person being forced to engage in sexual act for money or favors, or fearful or being threatened if he or she refuses to engage in such activity? If NO: The person may be a victim of a different crime, so contact law enforcement if you have concerns. If YES: Was the victim a minor or an adult? Minor under the age of 14: Fine and/or 15 years to life in prison. Minor over the age of 14: Fine and/or 10 years to life in prison. Adult: Fines and/or a 20 year prison term. Additionally, the perpetrator will pay restitution to the victim for the full amount of their losses as determined by the court.
  
    
    TopicsHuman TraffickingKeywordsBlue Campaign
              Combatting Human Trafficking
              Human Trafficking
To report suspected human trafficking to Federal law enforcement:Image

	1-866-347-2423
	Para reportar un posible caso de trata de personas:Image

	1-866-347-2423
	To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline:Image

	1-888-373-7888

	or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733)
	Obtenga ayuda de la Línea Directa Nacional de Trata de Personas:Image

	1-888-373-7888

	o enviando un mensaje de texto con HELP o INFO a BeFree (233733)

    Last Updated: 12/04/2023
  
Was this page helpful?
  Yes
NoThis page was not helpful because the content
  has too little information
has too much information
is confusing
is out-of-date Return to top

           What Is Human Trafficking?
      
    
                  How You Can Help
      
    
                  Resources
      
    
                  Training
      
    
                  About Blue Campaign
      
    
                  Special Initiatives
      
    
                  Upcoming Events
                            
        Blue Campaign. One Voice. One Mission. End Human Trafficking.
                                              
                Contact Blue Campaign
                                  Report Suspected Human Trafficking:
                                                    1-866-347-2423
                                                                    Get Help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline:
                                                    1-888-373-7888
      
    DHS.gov/Blue-Campaign
                  An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityAbout Blue Campaign
        Accessibility
        FOIA Requests
        Privacy Policy
        DHS.gov

                        Looking for U.S. government information and services?
                Visit USA.gov