WHAT IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING?
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and its subsequent reauthorizations recognize and define two primary forms of human trafficking:
Sex Trafficking is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age. (22 U.S.C. § 7102(11)(A))
Forced Labor is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery. (22 U.S.C. § 7102(11)(B))
Additional legal definitions are contained in 18 U.S.C. Chapter 77 (criminal definitions) and 19 U.S.C. § 1307.
Trafficking is Often Not as Dramatic as People Imagine. It can be a partner, family member, employer, or "friend" exploiting someone. It can happen in homes, businesses, farms, hotels, online, and more. This is happening, and it often looks very different from what you may think.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
BY THE NUMBERS
Since MOST trafficking goes unreported, this BARELY SCRATCHES THE SURFACE, yet the numbers already show trafficking knocking on our front door.
YOUTH — CSE-IT 2016–2024
VICTIMS — Texas Mapping Project
REPORTS — National Human Trafficking Hotline 2007–2025
*Heatwave Map — Human Trafficking Cases in Fort Worth
LET'S TALK ABOUT IT
Talking about human trafficking can feel overwhelming, but starting the conversation is crucial to the solution.
Start with the Basics
Understand the Signs
How to Have the Conversation
Resources for Educators
Information leads to action. By choosing to be informed, you become part of a safer community.
TRAFFICKING OCCURS LOCALLY
DO YOU KNOW A SURVIVOR?
Are you sure the answer is no? Did a victim of human trafficking make your clothes, prepare your meal, or clean your hotel room? Was it the girl you used to be friends with in middle school but now you don't hang out? The harder truth is that the majority of sex and labor trafficking survivors did not initially see themselves as "trafficked." Many simply describe a "bad relationship" or "bad job" or think it was their fault.
- Saw the definition of trafficking (force, fraud, coercion) and realized their experience fit.
- Someone challenged their sense of blame and shame by explaining exploitation.
- Safe, nonjudgmental conversations with an advocate, counselor, or nurse.
- Someone they trusted told them they were being exploited.
- Became stable enough after crisis to reflect on what happened.
- Getting practical help (housing, legal help, medical care).
- Saw public awareness messages that described their situation.
- Heard survivor stories that sounded like their own.
It happened because I wanted someone to love and protect me, I wanted to be seen. It wasn't a secret either, he never had to do anything in the dark because he made me feel like I was in control of the light switch.— Domestic Sex & Labor Trafficking Survivor
Most survivors never formally report, so informed community members are critical. It takes you.
AWARENESS INTO ACTION
Learn More & Start The Training
Attend a training or information session. Share what you learn with your friends, family, coworkers, community, or school. Use your voice to say, "This is happening here, and it looks different than we thought. Let's talk about it."
Attend a 5 Stones Meeting
On the last Tuesday of each month at 11am, join a community network engaged in collaborative efforts to end sex trafficking in Tarrant County. This coordinated, multi-sector collaboration unifies government entities, law enforcement, service providers, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders across five focus areas: Community Awareness, Responder Training, Survivor Restoration, Policy Advocacy, & Demand Reduction.
Attend a Task Force Roundtable Meeting
Learn more about what the Tarrant County Human Trafficking Task Force is doing in our community.
Emergencies
- For emergencies or immediate danger, dial 911.
- National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
- Text 233733 (BEFREE)
- Tarrant County HT Task Force Non-emergency line: 817-884-1212
- Email: [email protected]
- 24/7 Local Crisis or Referrals: (817) 668-6462
- Email: [email protected]
Report Concerns
- How to recognize when something doesn't feel right
- Non-Emergencies — Report local trafficking by phone: 817-884-1212
- Or email: [email protected]
- Tips, info & contact:
- CALL: 1-888-373-7888
- TEXT: 233733
- CHAT: humantraffickinghotline.org/chat
SUPPORT AN ANTI-TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION
Donate, volunteer or partner with local organizations serving survivors.
Ask what's most helpful to them right now — funding, supplies, advocacy, or specific skills.
Consider how your business, group, or church can come alongside organizations that serve survivors.
You may not always see it, feel it, or think it affects you, but it is impacting your community. Victims and survivors need informed neighbors. It takes you. Let's talk. Let's act.
GET INVOLVED
Unbound Now is grateful to partner with the following officials and local organizations. Click for information or to reach a provider today.
