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The Truth About Trafficking

The Truth About Trafficking

The Truth About Trafficking

What is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking is a crime of exploitation and not transportation. A trafficker does not have to physically move someone to be trafficking them.

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What is Human Trafficking? Video

Human trafficking involves force, fraud, and coercion.

Types include, but are not limited to:

  • Force: Physical violence or the threat of violence. Physical restraint, confinement or the threat of it. They do not regard whether injury occurs.
  • Fraud: False or deceptive offer of work or marriage.
  • Coercion: Threatening to harm or restrain someone. Traffickers may create a plan that makes someone believe that if they don’t do what they’re told they will be harmed. They are led to believe it will harm them physically or financially. Or it could harm their reputation. They may also believe they could be restrained. Traffickers abuse or make threats of abusing the legal system. This may look like threatening deportation. Traffickers may also destroy, conceal, and even remove passports or other government identification documents.

Human trafficking and smuggling are NOT the same.

  • Human trafficking does not require smuggling.
  • Smuggling is when noncitizens are brought to the US. Immigration laws are deliberately evaded. They are unlawfully transporting and harboring noncitizens who are already unlawfully in the US.

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Types of Human Trafficking

Maid making bed in hotel room. Housekeeper Making Bed. Maid making bed in hotel room. Staff Maid Making Bed. African housekeeper making bed.

Commercial Sex Trafficking

Means: Forcing a person to perform sexual services to another individual for money (e.g., prostitution, escorts, etc.).

Commonly found in:

  • Hotels;
  • Large events;
  • Street corners;
  • Schools;
  • Airports; or
  • Family homes.
Male masseur rubbing back to slim woman, massage.

Debt Bondage

Means: When a victim pledges a debt or repayment and agrees to work off the debt. Debt is almost impossible to pay off.

Think of:

  • Paying a broker to come to the U.S. for work or school; or
  • Illicit massage parlors.

 

Female warehouse worker with helmet and safety vest.

Labor Trafficking

Very Simple:

  • Forced to work;
  • Can get paid;
  • Can be child or adult;
  • Can be at a small or big business; or
  • Can be at a family business.

Commonly found in:

  • Nail salons;
  • Restaurants;
  • Massage parlors;
  • Farms;
  • Food processing plants;
  • Factories;
  • Construction/lawn maintenance; or
  • House cleaning/domestic servants.

Common Myths:

  • White Van Scenario;
  • Human trafficking is always violent;
  • Human trafficking involves sex;
  • Traffickers target victims they do not know;
  • Only women can be trafficked;
  • Human trafficking only happens in illegal or underground industries;
  • Trafficked individuals are physically unable to leave; or
  • People in active trafficking situations always want help getting out.
Van parked near old stone wall, side view.
Diverse people supporting and comforting crying young man in group therapy session.

Who can become a victim of Human Trafficking?

Anyone!

Common vulnerabilities:

  • Recent relocation (migration);
  • Mental and physical health concerns;
  • Substance abuse concerns;
  • Unstable housing;
  • Unstable family life (youth);
  • Unstable employment; or
  • Isolated/lonely.

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Where in Michigan does Human Trafficking occur?

At the Department of Attorney General and through the Commission, we have seen it:

  • Grand Traverse County;
  • Jackson County;
  • Kalamazoo County;
  • Kent County;
  • Mackinac County;
  • Macomb County;
  • Monroe County;
  • Muskegon County;
  • Oakland County;
  • St. Joseph County;
  • Throughout the Upper Peninsula;
  • Washtenaw County; and
  • Wayne County.
Skyline of Detroit Michigan at sunset.
Wooden judge on book with justice lady on desk.

How do we stop Human Trafficking?

  • Stronger penalties for traffickers;
  • More protections for victims;
  • Stronger consequences for those who choose to look the other way; and
  • Better public awareness campaign and educational programs.

Read About Michigan Prosecutions

Resources

Michigan Resources

Michigan Resources

Michigan Laws

Federal Resources

Federal Resources