Human Trafficking: a Crime and Human Rights Abuse

Human trafficking is a crime and a human rights abuse involving commercial sexual exploitation of a child or the use of force, coercion or fraud to compel someone into labor servitude or commercial sexual exploitation. Millions of men, women, and children are trafficked in countries around the world, including the United States, every year.

In 2010, Secretary Napolitano launched the Blue Campaign - a first-of-its-kind initiative to coordinate and enhance the Department's anti-human trafficking efforts. The components of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) combat human trafficking through a variety of programs, and the Blue Campaign coordinates and unites this work.

The Department of Homeland Security is committed to combating the global crime of human trafficking. Through public outreach, victim protection, and law enforcement training, the Department works diligently to prevent human trafficking before it occurs, to protect victims when it has occurred, and to minimize reoccurrence by conducting investigations to bring traffickers to justice.

Get involved

The DHS Blue Campaign has many resources to help individuals, NGOs and victims of human trafficking. Resources are also available to business, law enforcement as well as lawyers and judges. Here’s a select overview of how to get involved.

Individuals - If you suspect someone may be a victim or have noticed the signs of human trafficking, you can help by reporting it to law enforcement (866-347-2423). DHS provides general awareness training to help you learn the indicators of human trafficking. Individuals are asked to not undertake independent investigations, because you could jeopardize your own safety and the safety of victims.

NGOs - Teachers, nurses, social workers, volunteers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other service providers are among the most trusted members of many communities and among the most likely to encounter – and be in a position to help – trafficking victims. To learn the indicators of human trafficking and how to report it, take our general awareness training and check out the fact sheets and victim assistance information.

Victims - If you are a victim, or believe you might be a victim, of human trafficking, seek help.

• To get resources from an NGO in 170 languages, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline: 888-373-7888
• If you are experiencing an emergency: call 911
• To report suspicious activity to law enforcement: 866-347-2423