Human Trafficking

Recognizing the Signs | Myths and Facts | Hotline | Resources | Awareness

What is human trafficking?

Stop Human TraffickingHuman trafficking is the business of stealing freedom for profit. In some cases, traffickers trick, defraud or physically force victims into providing commercial sex. In others, victims are lied to, assaulted, threatened or manipulated into working under inhumane, illegal or otherwise unacceptable conditions. It is a multi-billion dollar criminal industry that denies freedom to 24.9 million people around the world. Victims of trafficking also frequently suffer physical and mental abuse resulting in physical, sexual, and psychological trauma.

Human trafficking consists of a person knowingly: 

  1. Recruiting, soliciting, enticing, transporting or obtaining, by any means, another person or a person under the age of eighteen years with the intent or knowledge that force, fraud or coercion will be used to subject the person to labor, services or commercial sexual activity
  2. Benefiting, financially or by receiving anything of value, from the labor, services or commercial sexual activity of another person with the knowledge that force, fraud or coercion was used to obtain the labor, services or commercial sexual activity.

Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is recognized each year on January 11th. In recognition of this important day, Blue Campaign’s largest initiative is #WearBlue Day on January 11th. To raise awareness of human trafficking, the public is invited to take photos of themselves, friends, family, and colleagues wearing blue clothing and share them on social media – Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram – along with our #WearBlueDay hashtag. Anyone can participate, all you need is a piece of blue clothing!

About Blue Campaign

Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign LogoBlue Campaign is a national public awareness campaign designed to educate the public, law enforcement, and other industry partners to recognize the indicators of human trafficking, and how to appropriately respond to possible cases. Blue Campaign works closely with DHS Components to develop general awareness trainings, as well as specific educational resources to help reduce victimization within vulnerable populations.

Follow @DHSBlueCampaign on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information about #WearBlueDay and Campaign efforts throughout the year.

Human Trafficking and Public Transportation

Traffickers may recruit victims from bus and train stations and will utilize transportation systems to both bring new victims to their trafficking operations as well as to transport current victims to different places where they will be trafficked and abused.

Human Trafficking & RMRTD "SAFE" Campaign

Stop Human Trafficking

Rio Metro is stepping up efforts to combat human trafficking with our SAFE campaign to help bring awareness to this heinous crime. Elements of the campaign are visible on Rio Metro buses, at bus shelters, on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express train, and at station platforms. 

New Mexico Hotline
Call: 505-GET-FREE or 505-438-3733

Recognizing the Signs

People may be vulnerable to trafficking if they:

  • Have an unstable living situation
  • Have previously experienced other forms of violence such as sexual abuse or domestic violence
  • Have run away or are involved in the juvenile justice or child welfare system
  • Are undocumented immigrants
  • Are facing poverty or economic need
  • Have a caregiver or family member who has a substance use issue
  • Are addicted to drugs or alcohol

Visit the National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH) website to learn more about recognizing the signs of human trafficking.

Human Trafficking Indicators

While not an exhaustive list, these are some key red flags that could alert you to a potential trafficking situation that should be reported:

  • Living with employer
  • Poor living conditions
  • Multiple people in cramped space
  • Inability to speak to individual alone
  • Answers appear to be scripted and rehearsed
  • Employer is holding identity documents
  • Signs of physical abuse
  • Submissive or fearful
  • Unpaid or paid very little
  • Under 18 and in prostitution

Visit the U.S. Department of State Website to learn more about identifying and assisting a trafficking victim

Who Are the Traffickers?

There is no evidence that traffickers are more likely to be of a particular race, nationality, gender, or sexual orientation. They may be family members, romantic partners, acquaintances, or strangers. Traffickers recognize and take advantage of people who are vulnerable. 

Myths and Facts

Visit the NHTH website to better understand the myths and realities of human trafficking.

Human Trafficking in New Mexico

The New Mexico Office of the Attorney General Human Trafficking Task Force works in partnership with the Life Link (service providers), U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and other key stakeholders. The sole purpose of this collaborative approach is to combat all forms of human trafficking within New Mexico- sex trafficking and labor trafficking- of foreign nationals and U.S. citizens (of all sexes and ages). This multi-disciplinary task force focuses on a victim-centered approach to identify victims, address the individualized needs of victims through quality services, and investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases at the local, state, tribal, and federal levels.

ThStop Human Traffickinge goals of the Task Force include heightened visibility and public awareness of the problem through effective training programs, advocating for trafficking survivors in the courtroom, protection of survivors, victim-centered rescue, self-empowerment, and restoration.

New Mexico industries linked to human trafficking:

  • Sex Trafficking
  • Prostitution or other commercial sex venues
  • Exotic Dancing/Stripping/Escort Services
  • Pornography (adult and child) 
  • Modeling Studios
  • Massage Parlors 
  • Labor Trafficking
  • Farming/Agricultural work
  • Landscaping/Construction
  • Hotel or Tourist Industries
  • Restaurants
  • Domestic Servitude/Housekeeping/Nannies

National Human Trafficking Hotline

IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, CALL 911.

To get help, report a tip, or learn more:

Anti-Trafficking Hotline Advocates are available 24/7 to take reports of potential human trafficking. 

24/7 Confidential: View the NHTH Confidentiality Policy

Education and Outreach Training Community Partners

  • Law enforcement  
  • Corrections
  • Service providers (e.g. medical personnel, therapist, counselors)
  • Hospitality industry
  • Immigration services
  • Faith based communities
  • School administrations  
  • Tribal communities

View a comprehensive list of New Mexico resources and agencies

Awareness

  • January 11 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
  • January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month