FAQs

How many people are victims of human trafficking?

There are over 27.6 million known cases of human trafficking globally, and this organized crime syndicate generates over $245 billion dollars in revenue each year [1]. That is more than the annual revenue for Nike, Google and Starbucks combined! It is the second most profitable illegal industry – second only to the drug trade [2].

  [1] Hope-for-Justice-estimated-global-profits-from-modern-slavery-July-2023-update.pdf (hopeforjustice.org)

  [2] What Fuels Human Trafficking?   UNICEF USA

Myth: If the trafficked person consented to be in their initial situation, then it cannot be human trafficking or against their will because they “knew better.”

Reality: Initial consent to commercial sex or a labor setting prior to acts of force, fraud, or coercion (or if the victim is a minor in a sex trafficking situation) is not relevant to the crime, nor is payment.

Source: Polaris Project (www.polarisproject.org)

Myth: Traffickers target victims they don’t know.

Reality: Many survivors have been trafficked by romantic partners, including spouses, and by family members, including parents.

Source: Polaris Project (www.polarisproject.org)

Myth: Only women and girls can be victims and survivors of sex trafficking.

Reality: Men and boys are also victimized by sex traffickers. LGBTQ boys and young men are seen as particularly vulnerable to trafficking.

Source: Polaris Project (www.polarisproject.org)

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