Learn About Human Trafficking

Educating everyone is one of the three core actions of Willow Tree Projects. Below you will find information, statistics, and resources to better understand this humanitarian crisis and what you can do to help.

Four Things to Learn

Human trafficking is often misunderstood to be rare or isolated incidents that are similar to what we see portrayed in movies. The reality is there is a wide spectrum of people and situations that become involved in human trafficking. To help bring this into context, we've created four basic things to learn that will get you up to speed fast.

Human Trafficking is Slavery

It involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to recruit, transport, or hold individuals in order to exploit them for labor or commercial sex. The exploitation that results from human trafficking is similar to the exploitation that occurs in traditional forms of slavery. Just like slavery, human trafficking is a gross violation of human rights, and it is considered a serious crime under international law.

Human Trafficking Affects Millions

It's difficult to determine an exact number of people who are victims of human trafficking, as the crime often goes undetected and underreported. However, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO), it is estimated that there are about 21 million people globally who are victims of forced labor and human trafficking. This includes both adults and children who are exploited for labor and services, as well as those forced into sex trafficking. It's important to note that these numbers are estimates and the true scale of the problem may be much larger.

Human Trafficking is a Global Industry

Human trafficking generates a significant amount of money each year, making it a profitable criminal enterprise for traffickers. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), human trafficking generates around 150 billion USD in illegal profits per year worldwide. Most of the profit comes from commercial sexual exploitation, with an estimated 99 billion USD per year. Forced labor generates an estimated 51 billion USD per year.

Human Trafficking Takes Many Forms

Human trafficking can generally be divided into two categories: sex trafficking and labor trafficking. Within these two main categories, there are also subcategories such as Forced Marriage, Forced Criminal activity, Forced Organ Removal, Forced Begging and Forced Adoption.

Human trafficking is not limited to one specific group of people, it can happen to anyone regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, or immigration status.

The largest hidden crime on the planet.

Human trafficking is a complex and hidden crime, making it difficult to identify. Some of the reasons why it can be difficult to identify human trafficking include:

Victims often do not self-identify as such:

Victims of human trafficking may not understand that they are being trafficked or may be afraid to seek help. They may not see themselves as victims, or may not know that help is available.

Lack of consistent data:

The data on human trafficking is often inconsistent and unreliable, making it difficult to identify patterns and trends.

Complexity of the crime:

Human trafficking can take many forms and can involve multiple actors, including traffickers, intermediaries, and employers. This makes it difficult to identify and prosecute the crime.

Lack of awareness:

Many people, including law enforcement and service providers, may not be aware of the signs of human trafficking or may not know how to identify it.

Victims are often isolated:

Traffickers often use tactics such as physical and psychological abuse, threats, and manipulation to control and isolate their victims. This can make it difficult for victims to come forward and seek help.

Misconceptions:

There are often misconceptions about human trafficking, such as it only happening to people from other countries or that it only involving sexual exploitation. This can lead to not identifying the crime when it happens in other forms.

All of these factors make it difficult to identify human trafficking, but it's not impossible. There are many organizations like Willow Tree Projects working to raise awareness and provide support to victims of human trafficking, and with more education and resources, it's possible to better identify and combat this crime.

Need Help?

If you or someone you know is being trafficked, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text "HELP" or "INFO" to 233733. The hotline is available 24/7 and can connect you with local resources and support services.

What to do if you think someone is involved in human trafficking:

Report it: Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text "HELP" or "INFO" to 233733. The hotline is available 24/7 and can connect you with local resources and support services.
Trust your instincts: If something seems off or you feel like something is not right, trust your instincts and take action.
Gather information: If you are able to do so safely, gather information about the person you suspect is being trafficked, such as their name, location, and any identifying information.
Be discreet: If you suspect that someone is being trafficked, it's important to be discreet and not confront the person or the trafficker directly, as this could put them in danger.
Get involved: Learn more about human trafficking and how you can help by getting involved with local organizations or advocacy groups.

It's important to note that the safety of the victim should always be the top priority when making a report. If you feel that the situation is dangerous, it's best to contact the authorities immediately.