Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery involving the illegal trade of people for exploitation or commercial gain.
 

• It is estimated that human trafficking is a $32 billion per year industry, second only to drug trafficking as the most profitable form of transnational crime.

• Human trafficking is a hidden crime, as victims rarely come forward to seek help. Not coming forward to seek help is often due to, fear of the traffickers, and other reasons, including the victim’s. 

• Traffickers use force, fraud, deception and other means to lure their victims and force them into labor or commercial sexual exploitation. They seek out vulnerable people, often on social media. They are skilled at identifying vulnerability in any person. They look for signs of hardship, loneliness, family instability, patterns of runaway behavior, depression, even boredom and target their victims.

• Once trapped and exploited in horrific ways, the trauma can be so great for victims that many may not identify themselves as victims or ask for help, even in highly public settings. 

• Human trafficking is a $150 billion industry, and it’s happening right here in Utah.

• It is merely a myth that Human trafficking does not occur in the United States. Far too many people believe it only happens in other countries.

• It is a fact that human trafficking exists in every country, including the United States. It exists in cities, rural towns–even right here in our own communities.
   

​It is imperative for each of us to understand how Human trafficking impacts every community. It does not discriminate by economic status or background. Victimization of vulnerable people from tender young ages and up, is occurring at alarming rates. We must be determined to proactively protect our youth and other vulnerable people, especially in this digital age, and the rise of social media and gaming behaviors.