Philadelphia, Pa. — In observance of the World Day Against Trafficking of Persons, FBI Philadelphia has shared information about human trafficking; its forms; the FBI's work to combat trafficking; resources for victims; and ways that the general public can report suspected trafficking.
In general, human trafficking refers to the illegal exploitation of a person. The FBI investigates the following three types of human trafficking:
Sex trafficking: When individuals are compelled by force, fraud, or coercion to engage in commercial sex acts. Sex trafficking of a minor occurs when the victim is under the age of 18. For cases involving minors, it is not necessary to prove force, fraud, or coercion.
Labor trafficking: When individuals are compelled by force, threats, or fraud to perform labor or service.
Domestic servitude: When individuals within a household appear to be nannies, housekeepers, or other types of domestic workers, but they are being controlled and exploited.
Traffickers use violence, manipulation, false promises of well-paying jobs, or romantic relationships to exploit victims.
Human trafficking can occur in any community, from cities to suburbs and rural areas.
“With the diverse region our office covers, from rural communities to major cities, we have seen that human trafficking can occur anywhere,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Philadelphia Field Office. “World Day Against Trafficking of Persons reaffirms our commitment to working alongside partners to combat human trafficking, raising awareness to prevent future victimization, and providing victims the resources they need.”
The most effective way to investigate human trafficking is through a collaborative, multi-agency approach with various partners. FBI Philadelphia’s Crime Against Children and Human Trafficking program works alongside local, state, and federal partners such as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Victim resources
Victim recovery is the primary goal of trafficking investigations. The FBI employs a multi-disciplinary team of special agents, analysts, victim specialists, and child adolescent forensic interviewers to ensure a victim-centered and trauma-informed response.
FBI victim specialists work with various agencies locally, statewide, and nationally to provide both immediate assistance and long-term support. After recovering a victim of human trafficking, field offices seek to arrest and successfully prosecute the traffickers.
Detecting and reporting trafficking
If you are a human trafficking victim or have information about a potential trafficking situation, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also submit a tip on the NHTRC website .
To learn more about human trafficking and its warning signs, PennDOT offers a free course on the subject.
If you believe a child is involved in a trafficking situation, submit a tip through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline or call 1-800-THE-LOST. FBI personnel assigned to NCMEC review information that is provided to the CyberTipline.
FBI Philadelphia can be reached at 215-418-4000.
For additional resources, please visit the FBI's human trafficking webpage or the Victim Services Division .
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