What is human trafficking?

Human trafficking involves compelling individuals into commercial sex or labor through force, fraud, or coercion. This illicit trade amasses $150 billion globally in illegal profits, surpassing the combined earnings of major corporations like McDonald’s, PepsiCo, and Disney.

In this multi-billion-dollar illicit industry, the principles of supply and demand are crucial. Traffickers exploit the imbalance when the demand for inexpensive labor or commercial sex exceeds the available supply, using force, fraud, and coercion to entrap new victims.

Who is being impacted?

Traffickers exploit vulnerabilities rather than targeting specific individuals. Communities disproportionately affected by racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and classism are more susceptible to trafficking. Understanding who is most impacted is a crucial step in the fight to eradicate human trafficking.

By the Numbers

  • 94%

    of sex trafficking victims are women

  • 64%

    of sex trafficking victims are Black or Latina women

  • 60%

    of sex-trafficked youth have been in foster care at some point in their lives

  • 64%

    of victims are experiencing homelessness when recruited into a trafficking situation