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United States law defines two primary forms of human trafficking: forced labor and sex trafficking. Put simply, human trafficking happens when a person uses force, fraud, or coercion to exploit the labor or services of another person.
Minors cannot consent to sex acts for money or anything of value. When a person younger than 18 is used to perform a commercial sex act, it is a crime regardless of whether there is any force, fraud, or coercion involved.
Sometimes traffickers force victims to commit crimes or bring new victims into the trafficking scheme. It can make it very difficult for victims to come forward or receive help and it can negatively affect recovery.
Human trafficking can happen to anyone, but some people face increased risk factors, including recent migration or relocation, substance use, mental health concerns, involvement with the child welfare system, and being a runaway or homeless youth. Evidence also suggests people of color and LGBTQ+ people are more likely to be trafficked than other groups.
The United Nations estimates more than 27.6 million people—adults and children—are subjected to human trafficking worldwide, including in the United States. Traffickers often take advantage of instability in the wake of natural disasters, conflict, or a pandemic to exploit others.
Traffickers span all racial, ethnic, and gender demographics and are as diverse as the people they traffic. Some use their privilege, wealth, and power as a means of control while others experience the same socioeconomic oppression as their victims. Business owners, gang members, parents or family members of victims, intimate partners, owners of farms or restaurants, powerful corporate executives, or even political figures could engage in human trafficking.
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