HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Human trafficking is a form of modern-day
slavery in which traffickers use force, fraud,
or coercion to control victims for the purpose
of engaging in commercial sex acts or labor
services against their will.
Millions of people are trafficked annually
worldwide and victims can be any age,
gender, nationality, or race, and can come
from any socioeconomic class. Human
trafficking is not just an international issue
— it occurs in all states and U.S. territories,
including West Virginia.
The West Virginia Fusion Center (WVFC), in
collaboration with other organizations and
local, state, and federal law enforcement is
committed to identifying potential victims of
human trafficking and linking them to crucial
services and to providing free training and
resources to partner agencies.
HUMAN
BE A PART OF THE TO SUBMIT A HUMAN TRAFFICKING
SOLUTION. YOU CAN…
● Submit a tip
TRAFFICKING TIP
Online: go.wv.gov/TipsHT
HAPPENS
■ Reporting a tip may help
● Learn the signs of human
Email:
[email protected] Phone (Call): 1-888-373-7888* HERE
trafficking and report any Phone (Text): “Be Free” or 233733*
potentially suspicious activity GET HELP *T he National Human Trafficking
● Discuss the signs within Hotline provides victim
your communities support, 200+ languages, and
other resources.
■ Faith-based organizations,
Dial 911 for immediate threats or emergencies.
schools, daycares, and other
community service organizations
Learn more about
See Something,
and programs are at the forefront
of potentially noticing changes in
Say Something™ what you can do
behavior or other unusual signs
to combat human
● Help combat human trafficking
trafficking.
KNOW THE SIGNS RISK FACTORS
● Victims lack the freedom to leave Traffickers may target individuals
their work or living conditions, often for a variety of reasons, including
escorted when they travel, or kept under those experiencing:
surveillance with their communications
● economic hardship
limited or restricted.
(e.g., financial instability or
● Victims may exhibit signs of abuse housing instability)
(bruises, cuts, burns, scars, prolonged lack
● lack of support/unstable home life
of healthcare or malnourishment, poor
hygiene, poor dental hygiene). ● substance abuse or addiction
● Victims may exhibit fear, anxiety, ● gang involvement
depression, nervousness, hostility,
● unstable immigration status/
flashbacks, drug/alcohol addiction. Victims
language barriers
may also avoid eye contact.
● natural disasters
● Victims may not have control of their own
money or identification documents (e.g., ID, ● political instability in home country
driver’s license, passport, etc.). Victims may
ABOUT THE
● psychological or emotional vulnerability
have little personal possessions.
(e.g., history of exploitation, low
● Victims may have inconsistencies in their selfesteem, or bullying)
YOU CAN
story. Responses seem scripted or rehearsed.
● Victims may be “branded” with tattoos,
clothing, or jewelry to indicate someone
FACTS
INITIATIVE
else’s ownership.
● Under US law, if a victim is under the age of
One sign alone is not indicative of human
trafficking, but multiple indicators may be a 18 and involved in commercial sex, they
cause for concern. are a victim of human trafficking.
The purpose of the YOU CAN ● The average age of minors targeted or
initiative is to bring awareness to human Be aware and let’s work victimized for human trafficking is 12
trafficking in the State of West Virginia. together to stop human to 14 years old.
The YOU CAN initiative is meant to trafficking in West Virginia. ● Many sex trafficking victims were once in
the foster care system.
bring to the forefront the difficult and
If you see these signs, ● Victims may not see themselves as victims
sometimes uncomfortable conversations
of this “hidden in plain sight” issue. YOU CAN submit a tip. or be aware of state and federal resources
available to assist them.
Although law enforcement officers ● Human trafficking is significantly
Scan for additional underreported due to lack of
are tasked with investigating human resources and
information. public awareness.
trafficking cases, WV citizens
can still help.
