Victims of Human/Child Trafficking

Human Trafficking has been called modern-day slavery.  If you are in a situation where you are being forced to work (with or without pay) or perform sexual acts for money,  please seek help immediately.  There IS help specifically for victims of human trafficking.
 
Do not let stereotypes mislead you. 

•  Victims of human trafficking can be women, children, teens, OR men (especially in labor trafficking). 
• Victims of human trafficking can be from foreign countries, legal residents, OR Americans.

Report Human Trafficking Here
 
Tipline is provided by the "Polaris Project" who's goal is for a world without slavery.  Check out their website at:
www.polarisproject.org
 
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) defines
"Severe Forms of Trafficking in Persons" as:
Sex Trafficking:  the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining 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 forced to perform such an act is under the age of 18  years
Labor Trafficking:  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.
Download Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) by
CLICKING HERE

Trafficking is NOT Smuggling.

Human Trafficking

• Victims either do not consent to their situations, or if they initially consent, that consent is rendered meaningless by the actions of the traffickers. (Victims are kidnapped or tricked.)
• Ongoing exploitation of victims to generate illicit profits for the traffickers. (Traffickers make money off the actions of the victims.)
• Trafficking need not entail the physical movement of a person (but must entail the exploitation of the person for labor or commercial sex). (Trafficking can happen within a person's community.  It is not necessary to cross either national or state borders.)

Migrant Smuggling

• Migrant smuggling includes those who consent to being smuggled. (Smuggling are people who WANT to enter a country illegally.)

• Smuggling is a breach of the integrity of a nation's borders.  (Smuggling is a crime against a country, not an individual.)

• Smuggling is always transnational. (Always across a nation's border.)

​Help for Victims of Trafficking
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) is a federal law intended to prevent human trafficking overseas, to increase prosecution of human traffickers in the United States, and to protect victims and provide federal and state assistance to certain victims so that they can rebuild their lives in the United States.  Victims of human trafficking who are not U.S. citizens are eligible for a special visa and can receive benefits and services through the TVPA to the same extent as refugees.  Victims of trafficking who are U.S. citizens may already be eligible for many benefits due to their citzenship.
 
In regards to victims who are NOT U.S. citizens and are interested in applying for the "T" Visa, DANA Services recommends that you seek legal advice from an attorney.  There are several agencies in North Carolina that provide free legal aid and are experienced with the visa processes.    Below are the contact numbers for some of these agencies.

Battered Immigrant Project 1-800-738-3868
National Immigrant Project 1-888-251-2776
NC Justice Department 1-919-856-2570
​NC Legal Aid of Boone (Local referral office) 1-800-849-5666

If you are a victim of Human Trafficking please seek help.  DANA Services have advocates on staff that can help you find the resources you need to rebuild your life.  Feel free to contact us at anytime on the 24-hour crisis line.

Other Resources on Human Trafficking
 
National Human Trafficking Resource Center
www.acf.hss.gov/trafficking
1-888-3737-888
 
HHS State Refugee Coordinators for state-specific info
http://www.acf.hss.gov/programs/orr/partners/state_partners.htm
 
Information on I-914 for T Nonimmigrant Status
*Lawyer help advised*
http://www.uscis.gov/
 
ORR Child Protection Specialist for
minor victims/unaccompanied minor victims
*Special circumstances apply for minor victims*
http://www.acf.hss.gov/programs/orr/programs/unaccompanied_refugee_minors.htm/
1-202-401-4732