The Numbers are InPolaris Project – the nonprofit that operates the National Human Trafficking Hotline – recently released state-by-state numbers of human trafficking cases. Each year, the National Human Trafficking Hotline receives thousands of calls from across the country from people who are victims, community members, law enforcement, health care providers and child advocates. In 2019, there were 11,500 human trafficking cases reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline from across the country, which is an increase from the 2018 numbers of 10,915. North Carolina ranks No. 11 in the nation for human trafficking cases reported. In front of North Carolina with more cases reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline are California at No. 1, Texas at No. 2, Florida at No. 3, New York at No. 4, Ohio at No. 5, Georgia at No. 6, Michigan at No. 7, Washington at No. 8 and Pennsylvania at No. 9, and Illinois at No 10. |
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The National Human Trafficking Hotline numbers are not the end-all and be-all of human trafficking statistics. As a matter of fact, statistics for human trafficking are notoriously hard to pin down for a variety of reasons. There is no centralized database where instances of human trafficking are reported – this means response by local law enforcement, service providers and other social services agencies are not included. Also, victims of human trafficking may not seek help. These numbers only show what the National Human Trafficking Hotline sees. |
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A look at N.C.North Carolina ranks No. 11 in the nation for human trafficking cases. In 2019, the National Human Trafficking Hotline received 1,208 calls, texts or tips. Contacts to the National Human Trafficking Hotline are up from last year, which was at 859. The confirmed cases reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline for 2019 are 266, which is a slight drop from 2018, which was 287 cases. In 2019, there were 172 sex trafficking cases, 33 labor trafficking cases, 12 sex and labor trafficking cases and 49 unspecified types of trafficking reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Of the 266 confirmed cases, 218 victims were female, 30 were male and 3 were gender minorities. There were 160 adults and 59 minors. Five years ago, North Carolina was reporting only 120 confirmed cases of human trafficking cases to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. |
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The National Human Trafficking Hotline numbers should always be looked at through a critical thinking mindset. What would cause increases in reporting? Why would there be more reports ad less actual human trafficking cases?Comparing the numbers from five years ago to present could indicate three things:There is an actual increase in human trafficking in North Carolina OR Awareness initiatives are amplified and more victims are offered help and resources and possibly rescue and restoration OR BOTH |
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Sex Trafficking in North CarolinaIn North Carolina, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline statistics, sex trafficking is the most common form of trafficking. There were 122 cases of sex trafficking reported to the NHTH in 2019. Of those 172 cases, the top venues for sex trafficking include illicit massage/spa business, hotel/motel based sex trafficking, pornography, residence-based commercial sex and escort services. |
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Labor Trafficking in North CarolinaLabor trafficking is prevalent in North Carolina as well. There were 33 labor trafficking cases reported to the NHTH in 2019. The top venues for labor trafficking in North Carolina, according to the NHTH, are agriculture, restaurants and food service, construction, traveling sales crews and domestic work. Five of the 33 of cases were in the agricultural industry; four of those cases involved victims in restaurants/food service; four cases were in construction; three cases were from traveling sales crews and three were in domestic work. |
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Understanding the NumbersIt should be noted that though the National Human Trafficking Hotline reports that the most prevalent type of human trafficking is for sex, the report ONLY INCLUDES WHAT THE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE HEARD ABOUT. Labor trafficking is extremely prevalent in North Carolina when looking at the agriculture industry, domestic servitude, restaurants and traveling sales crews. To see that more victims of labor trafficking are recognized and offered help, community awareness about labor trafficking must be raised. It is also important to note that, in the current climate, many victims of labor trafficking who are not domestically born, will likely not come forward out of fear of deportation or losing their legal status. Of course, the same principle applies to victims of sex trafficking who were not born in the United States. |
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How Are Reports Coming in??What we found interesting is where the reports of human trafficking are coming from to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. In North Carolina, most of the reports came from the victims themselves at 385 calls. Coming in second are victims of other crime reporting and third is COMMUNITY MEMBER REPORTS. On a national level, the most common reporters are COMMUNITY MEMBERS. About 13,000 people across the country picked up the phone and called or texted the National Human Trafficking Hotline or live chatted on the website. 13,000 PEOPLE. It is important for people to understand that they have the power to help by reporting their suspicions to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. NC Stop Human Trafficking understands how valuable community members are in seeing that victims of human trafficking are at least offered the resources that they may need or an opportunity to escape. Call to actionLearn the Red Flags and Warning SignsAwareness is very important when we talk about reducing human trafficking in North Carolina. If people — community members, hotel staff, health care providers, law enforcement, social workers, foster care professionals, educators, school personnel, first responders, counselors — don’t know the indicators of human trafficking, they can never report it and victims won’t be acknowledged and helped. NC Stop Human Trafficking has multiple digital learning opportunities available this month and next month Report itIf you see something suspicious, report it to authorities, and call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-3737-888 or text HELP to the BeFree Texting Helpline (233733). These confidential helplines are toll-free and operate 24/7. Information is also available on prevention and program planning at polarisproject.org. NC Stop Human Trafficking |
