What if I am not sure this is human trafficking?

Trafficking situations can look very different. An advocate can listen to what is happening and help you think through possible resources and next steps.

Does someone have to be kidnapped or transported for it to be trafficking?

No. Human trafficking is based on exploitation. A person does not have to cross a border, travel to another state, or even leave their hometown for trafficking to occur.

What if someone agreed to the job at first?

A person may originally agree to work and later experience threats, fraud, coercion, withheld wages, debt, restricted movement, or other forms of exploitation. An initial agreement does not mean exploitation cannot later become trafficking.

What if someone controls my identification, money, or transportation?

Control over identification, wages, movement, transportation, or communication can be a warning sign, particularly when combined with threats, coercion, or an inability to leave. ou can call ACT to discuss the situation.

Can I call if I am worried about someone else?

Yes. You can contact ACT to ask questions and learn about resources without confronting the person you suspect may be exploiting them.

Should I confront someone I think is a trafficker?

Do not confront a suspected trafficker yourself. Doing so could put you or the person you are concerned about at greater risk. Seek guidance from an advocate or appropriate authorities instead. Current DHS guidance specifically advises people who are not law enforcement not to confront a suspected trafficker or alert a potential victim to their suspicions in a way that could compromise safety.

Are ACT services free and confidential?

ACT currently states that victim services are free of charge and that its 24-hour helpline provides confidential support. Call ACT to confirm the services available for your individual situation.

Human Trafficking

Q: What if the person involved is under 18?

Under federal law, a minor induced to participate in commercial sex is considered a victim of human trafficking regardless of whether force, fraud, or coercion is present.

Q: Can ACT provide somewhere safe to stay?

ACT’s Residential Program includes emergency shelter and support for adult survivors of human trafficking and their children. Call the helpline to discuss current options and availability.

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Exploitation can take different forms

Human trafficking is about exploiting another person for someone else’s benefit.

Traffickers may use threats, violence, false promises, debt, isolation, manipulation, withheld wages, control of documents, or other forms of coercion to make it difficult for a person to leave or ask for help.

Human trafficking can affect people of different ages, backgrounds, nationalities, and circumstances.

Labor trafficking

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Someone is forced, threatened, deceived, or coerced into working or providing services they cannot freely leave.

Sex trafficking

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Someone is forced, threatened, manipulated, or coerced into commercial sexual activity for another person’s benefit.

Exploitation of minors

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Under federal law, a person under 18 who is induced to engage in commercial sex is considered a victim of human trafficking even when force, fraud, or coercion is not present.

Control and coercion

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A trafficker may control money, identification, transportation, housing, communication, relationships, or access to basic needs.

False promises and manipulation

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A person may be recruited through promises of a job, housing, money, affection, protection, or a better life and later find themselves being exploited.

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Be alert. Be strong. Be free.

Turn the current ACT poster into an educational section rather than displaying it only as an image. Human trafficking can be difficult to recognize. One sign alone does not prove trafficking is happening, but a combination of warning signs may be a reason to ask questions or seek help.

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Someone controls their movement

They cannot freely come and go, have their schedule controlled, or are rarely allowed to be alone.

They are threatened or afraid

Someone threatens them, their family, their housing, immigration status, finances, or safety.

They cannot leave their work

They are pressured or forced to work, work unusually long hours, or cannot leave the job or situation freely.

Their money or documents are controlled

Someone withholds wages, takes their earnings, creates a debt they cannot repay, or controls identification or travel documents.

They are being sexually exploited

Someone is forcing, pressuring, or profiting from commercial sexual activity.

They appear closely controlled

Another person speaks for them, tells them what to say, monitors communication, isolates them from trusted people, or prevents access to food, sleep, medical care, or other necessities.

Important Note: You do not need to see every warning sign — and no single sign proves that trafficking is occurring.

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You can take one step at a time

Healing doesn’t happen all at once. We are here to support you at every stage, from immediate safety to long-term recovery.

Talk with an advocate

Ask questions about what is happening, discuss immediate concerns, and learn about services and resources.

You do not need to know exactly what kind of help you need before calling.

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Think about safety

Consider safe communication, trusted people, important documents, transportation, children, medications, and where you could go if you needed to leave.

Avoid making sudden changes if doing so could increase danger.

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Find somewhere safer to stay

ACT provides shelter and residential support for adult survivors of human trafficking and their children.

An advocate can discuss shelter and other possible options.

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Get ongoing support

Explore counseling, advocacy, legal services, case management, referrals, and other services that may help with longer-term needs.

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Support is available

Here are the three primary paths you can explore.

Immediate support

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24-hour helpline
Crisis counseling
Safety planning
Information and referrals
Emergency shelter
Help understanding options

Ongoing support

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Clinical counseling and therapy
Case management
Advocacy
Legal services and referrals
Residential support
Coordination with partner agencies
Referrals for specialized services

Community and professional support

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Human trafficking education
Professional training
Prevention and awareness programs
Community outreach
Coordination with service providers
Partnerships with law enforcement and community agencies

ARTREACH

ACT also participates in prevention and awareness initiatives such as ARTREACH, an interactive creative-arts program developed to increase human trafficking awareness among young people and empower youth to become peer educators.

View all ACT services

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Frequently asked questions

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about our services and your safety.

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Thinking about reporting?

You may want help without knowing whether you want to make a report. Start with the option that feels safest. An advocate can help you understand available resources and what different next steps may involve.

Talk with an ACT advocate

Discuss your situation privately, ask questions, and learn about safety, shelter, counseling, advocacy, referrals, and other available resources.

Call ACT

Get national trafficking support

The National Human Trafficking Hotline provides help and information related to human trafficking.

1-888-373-7888

Report an immediate or suspected crime

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 if it is safe to do so.

If you are considering reporting suspected trafficking, an advocate can help you prepare questions and identify appropriate resources.

Do not confront a suspected trafficker or attempt to investigate the situation yourself.

Help is available

In Immediate Danger?

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