defines Human Trafficking as the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts or labor or services against his or her will. The one exception involves minors and commercial sex. Inducing a minor into commercial sex is considered Human Trafficking regardless if the presence of force, fraud, or coercion.

• U.S. human trafficking victims estimated in the hundreds of thousands
• Over 40 million human trafficking victims globally
• 99% of cases go undetected

Warning Signs
Who is vulnerable?

• Be safe and wise.
• Do not attempt to rescue an individual.
• Go through appropriate channels to assist victims. You can end up doing more harm than good by putting the victim and yourself in danger. If you have a suspicion or a tip, please call 911 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
• Become educated in this modern-day slavery. Learn as much as you can about Human Trafficking so you can teach others and bring awareness to those in your sphere of influence.
• Volunteer or mentor at your local shelter, pregnancy center, youth groups, or with foster youth.
• Donate to shelters, Anti-Human Trafficking organizations, and programs that are reaching the exploited population

Project Rescue is a community effort to raise funds and awareness to stop human trafficking in our neighborhoods. Red Bucket Day is a yearly campaign when volunteers throughout the city stand on street corners with red buckets and “Stop Human Trafficking” signs collecting donations and offering information on how to stop this modern-day slavery. Please join us on March 27th!

• Polaris Project
• Vanguard University / Global Center for Women and Justice
• Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report
• Kern Coalition Against Human Trafficking

• Signs of physical abuse such as burn marks, bruises or cuts
• Unexplained absences from class
• Less appropriately dresses than before
• Sexualized behavior
• Overly tired in class
• Withdrawn, depressed, or checked out
• Brags about making or having a lot of money
• Displays expensive clothes, accessories or shoes knowing they can’t afford it
• New tattoo of a name, symbol of money or barcodes could indicate trafficking
• Older boyfriend or new friends with different lifestyles
• Talks about wild parties
• Shows signs of gang affiliation

• Those who have unstable living situation
• History of domestic violence
• Those who have a caregiver or family member who has a substance abuse issue
• A runaway or involved in the juvenile justice or foster care system
• Undocumented immigrants
• Those who are facing poverty or economic need
• History of sexual abuse
• Addicted to drugs or alcohol