The Invisible Crime: Facts

“Human trafficking is increasingly taking center stage as one of the world’s most important, yet most invisible crimes.”
~ Maida Agovic, Radio Prague reporter

Modern-Day Slavery: The Invisible Crime

1) Slavery still exists today, whether it is called human trafficking, bonded labor, forced labor, or sex trafficking. It is present worldwide, including within the United States and increasingly in our local community. More people are enslaved today than ever before in human history!

2) 27 million people are caught in some form of slavery.
Half of modern-day slaves are children.
Nearly three out of every four victims are women.

3) New York City is a main trafficking hub. According to the U.S. Justice Department, New York is one of the top cities that traffickers use as a point of entry, as a transit location, and as a final destination for victims.

4) Anyone may become a victim. Trafficked persons can be rich or poor, men or women, adults or children, and foreign nationals or U.S. citizens.

5) No community is immune. Cases of human trafficking have been reported in all fifty states. Typically less populated regions are points of origin, and larger cities are destinations.

6) People are trafficked for many purposes. Violence, lies, or threats are always key elements. Sex trafficking and labor trafficking are the two largest categories, but this abuse takes many forms.

7) It is the world’s fastest growing criminal enterprise. Human trafficking is a multi-billion dollar global industry rivaled only by the illicit trade in drugs and guns.

8) Victims are lured in many different ways. They may be physically abducted, drugged, beaten, or threatened into compliance. More frequently they are deceived with false promises of legitimate work, later followed by exaggerated claims of debt. Often they are befriended by a trafficker who earns their trust with offers of help and protection, or shows of affection and concern.

9) Traffickers include a wide range of criminal operators, including individual pimps, small families, loose-knit decentralized criminal networks, and international organized criminal syndicates. Both men and women are traffickers.

10) There are many ways YOU can help! This happening here and now!

Join us and continue to learn more.
Discuss the issue with family, friends, and co-workers.
Learn how to recognize and report trafficking.
Write letters, sign petitions, become an activist.
Learn how smart consumer choices can help end slavery.
Demand responsible government action.
Be a voice for those who suffer silently.

Now you know… what will you DO?

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To join us in action and discussion, please visit
Meetup.com/Fight-Slavery-Now

Fight Slavery Now!