What human trafficking is

Trafficking in persons is an insult to human dignity and an assault on freedom.

John F. Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State

Human trafficking comes by many names and in many forms. All around the globe, millions of people are bought, sold, and transported for the benefit of their oppressors. Traffickers often target the most vulnerable: young women, children, and people living in poverty.

Some are forced to work in fields and factories, others in brothels and on street corners. In every case, through force, fraud, or coercion, they must perform labor or commercial sex acts with little hope of rescue.

A global crime, close to home

• The trafficking industry generates an estimated $150 billion a year, the second largest source of illegal income in the world.
• Trafficking cases have been reported in all 50 U.S. states, including New Hampshire.
• Law enforcement, social workers, and aftercare providers everywhere are under-resourced.

Watch the short video above, then move on to see how trafficking connects to the things we buy every day.