If you have any reason to believe that someone is in immediate danger, please contact law enforcement immediately by calling 911.
A crime involving the exploitation of someone for the purpose of compelled labor or a commercial sex act through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. (DHS) Where a person younger than age 18 is induced to perform a commercial sex act, it is a crime regardless of whether there is any force, fraud, or coercion.
“The traffickers often use violence or fraudulent employment agencies and fake promises of education and job opportunities to trick and coerce their victims.” (United Nations)
There are many ways to report human trafficking, so find the option that’s fastest for you.
CONTACT THE AUTHORITIES
Report by phone
- Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline I 1-888-373-7888
- Call the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) I 1-800-843-5678
- Call the U.S. Department of Homeland Security I 1-866-347-2423
These lines have advocates standing by 24/7. Save any of these numbers to your phone for quick access.
Report by text / chat
- Text the National Human Trafficking Hotline I 233733
- Chat with an advocate from the National Human Trafficking Hotline
Other ways to report
- Use the NCMEC’s CyberTipline
- Submit an anonymous report with the National Human Trafficking Hotline
- Visit your local police department
Identify the signs
Before contacting law enforcement to report human trafficking, you need to understand the warning signs that may indicate human trafficking is taking place.
Spread awareness
You should also become more educated on the topic by reading our ‘Human Trafficking Statistics and Facts in 2024’ article. After increasing your personal awareness on the issue, you can then educate those around you.
Trust your intuition and speak up when you see something that doesn’t feel right. Together, we can build a world where every person is safe from exploitation.
How to Report Human Trafficking FAQs
What is human trafficking, and why is it important to report it?
“Human Trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit. Men, women and children of all ages and from all backgrounds can become victims of this crime, which occurs in every region of the world. The traffickers often use violence or fraudulent employment agencies and fake promises of education and job opportunities to trick and coerce their victims.” (United Nations)
By choosing to report this crime, you can possibly save someone’s life and prevent further exploitation from happening.
Who can report instances of human trafficking?
Anyone who suspects or witnesses human trafficking can and should report it.
What information do I need to provide when reporting human trafficking?
When reporting human trafficking, provide as much detail as possible to the authorities you decide to contact. The more information they have, the better the chance of intervention.
Who should I contact to report suspected human trafficking?
There are many ways to report human trafficking, so find the option that is fastest for you. You can call, text, or choose other ways to report a potential crime.
How do I know if what I’m witnessing is human trafficking?
Understand the warning signs that may indicate human trafficking is taking place. You should also become more educated on the topic by reading our ‘Human Trafficking Statistics and Facts in 2024’ article.