What is human trafficking? Back to top ^
Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons (TIP), is a modern-day form of slavery. It is a crime under federal and international law. It is also a crime in some US states. Refer to Online Resources.
Who are the victims? Back to top ^- There is not one consistent face of trafficking victim. Trafficked persons in the US can be rich or poor, men or women, adults or children, foreign nationals or US citizens. Some are well-educated, while others have no formal education.
- While anyone can become a victim of trafficking, certain populations are especially vulnerable. These may include: undocumented migrants; runaways, homeless and at-risk youth; and oppressed, marginalized, and/or impoverished groups and individuals. Traffickers specifically target individuals in these populations because they are vulnerable to recruitment tactics and methods of control.
- Undocumented immigrants in the US are highly vulnerable due to a combination of factors, including: lack of legal status and protections, language barriers, limited employment options, poverty and immigration-related debts, and social isolation. They are often victimized by traffickers from a similar ethnic or national background, on whom they may be dependent for employment or a means of support.
Go to Types of Trafficking Cases in the US.
How many human trafficking victims are in the US? Back to top ^
Due to the covert nature of the crime and high levels of under-reporting, the total number of victims of human trafficking within the US is largely unknown. However, a range of estimates has been released by some government agencies and non-governmental organizations. For more information, go to HT Statistics.
What types of human trafficking can be found in the US? Back to top ^
Go to Types of Trafficking Cases in the US.
What types of calls does the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) receive? Back to top ^
Every call received by the NHTRC is unique. Calls, however, generally tend to fall into the following categories:
- Crisis Calls – This category includes calls received from self-identifying victims of trafficking in need of immediate assistance or calls from individuals calling on behalf of a potential victim in need of immediate assistance. Calls referencing potential minor victims of trafficking may also fall into this category even if the situation is not an emergency.
- Tips – Tips include calls received from individuals wishing to report information related to potential trafficking victims, suspicious behaviors, and/or locations where trafficking is suspected to be occurring.
- Training and Technical Assistance – Calls requesting training and technical assistance on anti-trafficking topics often include, but are not limited to, requests for: specialized information, phone consultations, materials reviews, trainings/presentations, and field training or joint activities.
- Referrals – This call category includes requests for referrals to organizations working to combat human trafficking, specified by name, geographical area and/or type of service provided.
- General Information – This category includes calls requesting general information on the issue of human trafficking, such as legal definitions, scope, statistics, trends, prevalence, etc.
- Related Calls – This category was created to address calls that are either irrelevant to the purpose of the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, or are related in issue (such as sexual assault or general labor exploitation) but are beyond the scope of NHTRC services.
Who Can Call? Back to top ^
Anyone can call the NHTRC. Past callers have included:
- Victims of human trafficking
- Friends and family members of victims
- Social service providers
- Law enforcement
- Human trafficking task forces and coalitions
- Medical professionals
- Legal professionals
- Policymakers and government employees
- Educators and students
- Community members
- Anyone who comes into contact with a potential victim
- Anyone who wants to learn more or get involved
What are the hotline hours of operation? Back to top ^
The National Human Trafficking Resource Center is available to answer all types of calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.
- Calls requiring urgent action are processed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Non-urgent requests, such as requests for information, materials, or resources, are processed primarily between the hours of 9 am and 7 pm EST, Monday through Friday. If a non-urgent request comes in between 7 pm and 9 am EST, on the weekend, or on a holiday, a message will be taken by the Call Specialist on duty, and full-time program staff will respond to the request within two business days, allowing for holidays.
Are calls to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center confidential? Back to top ^
Yes. The caller will always remain anonymous, in compliance with the National Human Trafficking Resource Center’s Confidentiality Policy.
Confidentiality Policy.
- The National Human Trafficking Resource Center strives to abide by the highest ethical standards.
- Calls received by the NHTRC are always anonymous unless the caller chooses to provide the NHTRC with his or her name and contact information and authorizes its use. This information is not given to law enforcement, other individuals, or other agencies without prior consent.
- In limited circumstances, we may be required to inform certain authorities if we suspect child abuse, have reason to believe the caller may harm his/her self or others, or if we are required by law.
- In other circumstances, where a caller prefers to remain anonymous, his/her privacy will be protected while the information they have conveyed about a situation of human trafficking will be shared with appropriate authorities.
What happens after I report a tip? Back to top ^
After receiving a tip, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) team jointly conducts a thorough internal review process to determine appropriate next steps. Crisis calls and urgent tips receive immediate follow-up.
Before reporting, the NHTRC will consider the needs and stated preferences of the caller as a primary consideration. Additional considerations include: the specificity of the information provided, the presence of indicators of severe forms of trafficking in persons, the involvement of minors, and the anti-trafficking services and law enforcement available in the caller’s area. The preferences, when known, of the potential victims involved will also be taken as a primary consideration.
Follow-up may involve any of the following actions:
- An additional call to the caller to confirm the accuracy of information (with the caller’s consent);
- Provision of materials and/or referrals to organizations in the caller’s area serving trafficking victims;
- A report to a local anti-trafficking organization, service provider, or law enforcement. (Please refer to the NHTRC’s Confidentiality Policy).
How many calls are received by the National Human Trafficking Resource Center? Back to top ^
The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) currently receives an average of 400-500 calls per month. Call volumes have been steadily increasing in recent months.
What languages does your program support? Back to top ^
The NHTRC is equipped to handle calls in all languages. Previous call volumes have demonstrated that the majority of callers speak English or Spanish. The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) has Spanish speakers on staff during the hours of 9am – 9pm EST, Monday through Friday. The NHTRC is also able to connect to a tele-interpreting service with over 170 languages, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Do you accept international calls/tips? Back to top ^
The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) is a nationally-focused hotline on the United States. However we do receive international tips and can process them in a limited capacity. When available, the NHTRC can provide referrals to US-based and international organizations that handle international trafficking tips and inquiries. In some cases, the NHTRC may report the tips directly to federal law enforcement.
International Hotlines:
For a full list, see the State Department’s Global Hotlines List.
How can I get involved in the anti-human trafficking movement? Back to top ^- For information on how to get involved, please visit the Polaris Project Action Center.
- For information about volunteer opportunities and referrals to organizations working in your area, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-3737-888.
How can I get involved with the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC)? Back to top ^- If you or someone you know has information on a potential trafficking situation, call us at 1-888-3737-888.
- Call us for materials and resources to generate awareness in your community.
- Help us publicize the NHTRC by posting the number in your community or organization. Go to Rescue and Restore Materials.
- For information on employment opportunities at the NHTRC, please visit Employment at Polaris Project.
How can I support the work of the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC)? Back to top ^
How do I add my organization to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) referral database? Back to top ^
To add your organization to our database, call the hotline at 1-888-3737-888 and tell us about the services you provide and the populations you serve. The NHTRC is looking for organizations that provide a variety of services and resources to assist trafficking victims, including the following:
- Shelter
- Legal assistance
- Immigration assistance
- Case management
- Crisis intervention
- Direct victim extraction
- Transportation assistance
- Victim advocacy
- Counseling
- Accompaniments
- Referrals
- Other related services
How do I update my organization’s contact information in the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) referral database? Back to top ^
If your organization’s contact information has changed, including changes in staff, or you wish to change the process by which you receive referrals from the NHTRC, please call the hotline at 1-888-3737-888 and let us know. We would be happy to update your information and ensure that we that we have the best and most up-to-date referral process in place.
Where can I find funding for my organization’s anti-trafficking efforts? Back to top ^
The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) does not have specific information on how your organization can acquire grant monies or funding for your activities/event/conference. Below, please find a general list of federal funding opportunities available to social service providers working in the anti-trafficking movement.
By providing the following information, the NHTRC is not specifically endorsing any of the funding sources, nor is it implying that the requester is eligible to receive funds. The information provided is for informational purposes only.
Funding for Victims Services and/or Public Awareness:
Target Population – Foreign National and US Citizen Victims of Human Trafficking in the US
- The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement, Anti-trafficking in Persons Division (HHS/ACF/ORR/ATIP) offers grants for certain types of human trafficking projects that promote victim identification, certification and public awareness. These grants include the following:
- Street Outreach Grants: conduct outreach services geared toward victim identification
- Intermediary Grants: conduct outreach, run public awareness campaigns, and connect victims with services. The intermediary grantee is required to subaward 60% of the grant to other NGOs.
- Regional Program Grants: grantees manage local coalitions, provide training and technical assistance, conduct direct outreach and provide victim services. Regional program grantees are also responsible for granting subawards to other NGOs.
- To find out about grant opportunities, visit the following website: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open.html. To contact the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, send an email to the following address:
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Funding for Victims Services:
Target Population – Foreign National Victims of Human Trafficking in the US
- The Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime (DOJ/OJP/OVC) makes grant awards to non-governmental organizations for the purpose of providing foreign national trafficking victims with comprehensive or specialized services during the pre-certification phase, and for the purpose of providing grantees with training and technical assistance for program support and enhancement. For more information on funding opportunities through the OVC, visit the following website: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/help/tip.htm#5
- Through funding from HHS/ACF/ORR/ATIP, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) provides funding on a monthly, per capita basis to serve foreign national victims of human trafficking. The USCCB administers the national per capita program to provide services to pre and post-certified foreign national victims anywhere in the United States. For more information, contact Lauren Edwards at 202-541-3382 or
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. Or visit http://www.usccb.org/mrs/trafficking/services.shtml
Helpful websites:
Administration for Children & Families, Department of Health & Human Services, http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open.html
The Foundation Center, http://foundationcenter.org/
E-Grants Initiative, http://www07.grants.gov/
How do I become a Rescue and Restore Coalition partner? Back to top ^
To become a partner in the Department of Health and Human Services Rescue and Restore Campaign, email a completed application form to
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; or fax it to 202-401-5487. The form can be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/rescue_restore/index.html#rescue
Where can I order Rescue and Restore materials? Back to top ^
- Rescue and Restore materials can only be ordered online at the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Rescue and Restore Campaign website: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/.
- Materials may be ordered through a link, labeled “Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking Order Form”, located in the upper-right hand corner of the webpage.
- Materials include brochures and posters depicting several types of trafficking in multiple languages. A training DVD is also available in English.
- Rescue and Restore materials are free and can be ordered in quantities of 25, 50 and 100. Special requests or instructions can be noted in the “Special Instructions” section of the order form.
- If you have any questions about ordering, email
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.
How do I get a copy of the State Department’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report? Back to top ^
The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is published annually by the Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. An electronic archive of previous TIP Reports can be accessed at http://www.state.gov/g/tip/. You can also contact the State Department office directly at 202-312-9639 to request a free hard copy of the report.
Who operates the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC)? Back to top ^
Polaris Project, a non-profit, non-governmental organization working to combat human trafficking and modern-day slavery, began operation of the NHTRC on December 7, 2007. The hotline itself has been in operation since 2004. The NHTRC is currently run out of Polaris Project’s national headquarters in Washington, DC.
Who funds the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC)? Back to top ^
The NHTRC receives support from a number of different sources. Funding and support is currently provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Lexis Nexis, Salesforce, the Oak Foundation and other private donors. To make a tax-deductible donation please click here.
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